Rudolf O. M. Oberg papers

Collection

Identifier: M046

Scope and Content Note

The collection documents Rudolf O. M. Oberg's experiences at Northeastern University as both a student and an administrator. Most of the undergraduate information documents his academic rather than social life. It reflects, through correspondence pertaining to degree requirements and co-op work options and responsibilities, some of the experiences of an engineering student in the 1920s.

The majority of the collection documents the personal experiences of Oberg as Director of Alumni Relations and his participation in alumni-related events. Of specific interest are several flyers documenting student activism at Northeastern in the 1960s. The collection also contains memorabilia relating to various class reunions. Oberg's participation as an administrator in the Yacht Club and Beta Gamma Epsilon is also documented here. Of particular interest is "The Northeastern Yacht Club - Its Organization and Operation" which provides a history of the club.

The collection also contains two research papers that Oberg authored while working on his graduate degrees.

Dates

Creation: 1916-1976

Creator

Oberg, Rudolf O. M. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access:

The collection is unrestricted.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use:

Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the University Archivist.

Biographical Note

Rudolf O. M. Oberg began his association with Northeastern University as an undergraduate in 1922. After graduating in 1926 with a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, he worked for several engineering firms. In 1928 he returned to his alma mater to teach engineering. In the ensuing years, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern University (1934) and a Master's degree in Education from Boston University's School of Education (1938).

Oberg began his career at Northeastern University as a faculty member; however, he is best known for his work in the Office of Alumni Relations. In 1929 he succeeded William White as the Alumni Secretary of the Day College. White, during his two years in office, successfully organized the numerous informal alumni clubs into one formal, permanent body. Oberg, building upon these foundations, committed himself to increasing alumni involvement in the university through social and fund-raising activities. His success is evident in the University's decision in 1943 to create an official Alumni Office with Oberg as its director. As the Alumni Office continued to grow throughout the 1940s and 1950s, it was organized into several units, each with a specific function, to handle the increasing workload. After the creation of the Development Office in 1959, Oberg's official duties were restricted to overseeing alumni activities an increasing alumni participation in the Association and University life in general. Oberg was a member of Northeastern's Yacht Club, Beta Gama Epsilon fraternity and the YMCA. He remained the Director of Alumni Relations until his retirement on June 30, 1971.

Extent

0.35 cubic feet (1 container)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

Rudolf O. M. Oberg graduated from Northeastern University in 1926 with a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Oberg worked for several engineering firms before returning to Northeastern in 1928 to teach engineering. In 1929, he succeeded William White as the Alumni Secretary of the Day College. Oberg increased alumni involvement at Northeastern University through social and fund-raising activities. In 1943, an official Alumni Relations Office was created, and Oberg was named director. When the Development Office was created in 1959, his official duties were restricted to overseeing alumni activities and increasing alumni participation in the Alumni Association and university life in general. Oberg remained the Director of Alumni Relations until his retirement on June 30, 1971. He died in 1973.

Overview

The collection documents Rudolf Oberg's experiences at Northeastern University as an engineering student in the class of 1926 and as Director of Alumni Relations. The majority of the collection contains records relating to his personal experiences as Director of Alumni Relations and participation in alumni-related events. Of specific interest are several flyers documenting student activism at Northeastern University in the 1960s and memorabilia relating to class reunions. Also included are records pertaining to his engineering degree requirements, his co-op work options and responsibilities, and his post-baccalaureate education at Northeastern. Oberg's participation as an administrator in the Yacht Club and Beta Gamma Epsilon is also documented here.