Bet Fryer Collection of University Memorabilia
This collection is composed primarily of memorabilia documenting Bet Fryer's time at the University of Tennessee. These items include commencement invitations, a UT jacket patch depicting a beaver, an orange and white rooter hat, and a trophy reading Award of the Year, 1946. The collection also houses a number of newspapers and newspaper clippings, including a laminated article from the Memphis Commercial Appeal announcing Miss Elizabeth (Bet) Vaughan Co-Ed of the Year, a clipping from the Knoxville News-Sentinel discussing the Co-ed of the Year election, an edition of the Orange and White dated 2 October 1942 mentioning Gid Willis Fryer leaving the newspaper for the army, and a copy of the Bolivar Bulletin dating from 24 April 1942. Finally, the collection contains three cardboard-backed memorials listing names of UT students and alumni who died in the Second World War, a WWII memorial service program, a McClung Museum Bicentennial brochure, a 1948 University of Tennessee brochure, a 1941 Carnicus program, a Beaver Club advertisement, a certificate stating that Gid Willis Fryer is an official Beaver Club member, and an undated photocopy of Volettes from the Volunteer.
Dates
- 1941-1998 (Bulk 1941-1948)
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.5 Linear Feet
Abstract
This collection is composed primarily of memorabilia documenting Bet Fryer's time at the University of Tennessee, including newspaper clippings, programs, brochures, certificates, trophies, and a cap.
Biographical/Historical Note
Nancy Elizabeth Bet Vaughan was born on 6 October 1924. She attended the University of Tennessee and graduated in 1946. While at UT, she served as business manager for the Volunteer (1945-1946), edited the Orange and White, participated in the YWCA Junior Cabinet, worked on the Carnicus staff, served with the Women's Student Government Association (WSGA), and held the office of secretary in Alpha Lamba Delta and the office of treasurer in Pi Lambda Theta. She also earned a number of honors, including Torchbearer, Co-ed of the Year (1946), Kappa Delta Pledge Scholarship Cup, Outstanding Junior Award (1945), Outstanding Sophomore Girl (1944), a place on the Honor Roll, and a mention in Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.
After graduating from UT, Vaughan went on to earn an additional degree from Peabody College in Nashville and married Gideon Willis Fryer. Bet Fryer spent most of her professional career working as a librarian in the Knox County Public School system. She also volunteered with the UT Hospital Auxiliary and with the Knoxville Museum of Art. Bet Fryer died on 18 January 1996 of Lou Gherig's disease and is buried in the Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Knoxville.
Arrangement
Collection consists of one box.
Acquisition Note
Gideon and Elizabeth Fryer donated this collection to the University of Tennessee Archives in 1994.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository