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Alexander "Bud" Gavitt, Jr. Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 2008-0064

Scope and Contents

The collection contains drafts and manuscripts of articles, publications, reports, correspondence, photographs and similar materials associated with Mr. Gavitt's long career in writing on agriculture related subjects.

Dates

  • undated, 1920-2005

Access

The collection is open and available for research.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from these Papers must be obtained in writing from both the University of Connecticut Libraries and the owner(s) of the copyright.

Biography

Alexander Gavitt, better known as "Bud," is a lifelong resident of southern New England. Moving to Westerly, RI, at the age of eight, Gavitt expanded his interests in vegetable gardening to raising chickens and active participation in 4-H. With his interest growing, he sought to inform others of agriculture’s benefits and as part of his 4-H activities, appeared on a local radio station sharing farm-related news with listeners. He also produced a twice monthly column for the local daily newspaper, and three other weekly papers in the area. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, Gavitt began his editorial career there as assistant agricultural writer/editor in 1957, producing Rhode Island Agriculture. Four years later, he joined UConn as agricultural writer/editor with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and served in that capacity for nearly 31 years, writing news and feature stories on agricultural, natural resources, environmental and nutritional sciences.

Gavitt’s passion for agriculture extends well beyond his own writing. In addition to his editorial duties, he taught news and feature writing to student interns from the Departments of English and Animal Science for 12 years and established CANR’s Gavitt Scholarship Grant for students interested in communications and agriculture.

Among the honors that have been accorded him are the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award from Gamma Sigma Delta, agriculture’s honor society, the Communication Excellence in Agriculture (ACE) Award of Excellence in Writing, and ACE Pioneer Award, several Northeast Farm Communicators Association writing awards, and the Connecticut Christmas Tree Growers Association Merit Award, which marked the first time a non-grower ever received the organization’s highest award.

Mr. Gavitt is retired and lives in Lebanon, CT.

Extent

15.6 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The collection contains drafts and manuscripts of articles, publications, reports, correspondence, photographs and similar materials associated with Mr. Gavitt's long career in writing on agriculture related subjects.

Arrangement

The collection has been arranged by broad categories of document type and chronologically therein. Periodicals have been added to the University Archives holdings and cataloged.

Series I: Personal Material (undated, 1948-2000)

Series II: Correspondence (undated, 1951-2005)

Series III: Written Material (undated, 1950-2000)

Series IV: Published Material (undated, 1920-2000)

Series V: Administrative Material (undated, 1970-1990)

Series VI: Photographs (undated, 1951-1999)

Series VII: Subject Files (undated, 1950-2005)

Acquisition Information

The collection was donated by Mr. Gavitt in 2008.

Related Material

Archives & Special Collections has a substantial collection of materials pertaining to the University, its history, administration, faculty, staff and students. For detailed information on these collections please contact the curator or ask at the Reading Room desk.

Separated materials

Life with a purpose Dodd C10909

Title
Alexander "Bud" Gavitt, Jr. Papers
Status
Published
Author
Archives & Special Collections staff
Date
2010 March
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Sponsor
This finding aid was prepared with generous support from Alexander Gavitt.

Repository Details

Part of the Archives and Special Collections, University of Connecticut Library Repository

Contact:
University of Connecticut Library
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Storrs Connecticut 06269-1205 USA US
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