D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections and University Archives

Francine Delany Collection
M93.1

Summary Information

Repository
UNC Asheville Special Collections and University Archives
Title
Francine Delany Collection
ID
M93.1
Date [inclusive]
1963-1992
Extent
1.8 Linear feet
Location
Located in Special Collections, Row 7, Section 2
Language
English

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Francine Delany Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville 28804

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Biographical Note

One of the “66 in the Class of 66”, the first senior graduating class from Asheville-Biltmore College, Beatrice Francine Delany was the first African-American graduate from the college. Francine had been one of the first three black students to enroll at A-B College in September 1961. She went to the school for two years, stayed out a year working as a secretary, before returning for two years to graduate cum laude. In 1966, she was also one of the first eight students form A-B College to be included in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.

Delany went on to become an influential educator at local and state level, holding positions ranging from teacher to principal, before becoming the magnet schools coordinator for the Asheville City Schools. In 1973, while teaching at Vance elementary, she was the Asheville Jaycees’ “Outstanding Young Educator”. At the state level, she served on the NC Textbook Commission, and was president of the NC Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Delaney was also a key part of UNC Asheville, as a member of the UNC Asheville Foundation Board from 1981 through 1987, and the Board of Trustees from 1979 to 1981, and again from 1991 until her death in June 1992.

In 1992, the UNC Asheville Foundation established a special minority fund in honor of Francine Delany, and in 1993 she was posthumously awarded the Chancellor’s Medallion. The Francine M. Delany Alumni Award for Service to the Community is presented annually to one alumnus/a for exemplary service to their community, state, or nation.

The Francine Delany New School for Children, an Asheville charter school that opened in West Asheville in 1997, is named for her.

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Scope and Contents

Small collection of materials related to Beatrice Francine Mitchell Delany, a much beloved and influential Asheville educator. The collection contains certificates, awards, letters, and photographs.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

UNC Asheville Special Collections and University Archives

Ramsey Library, CPO # 1500
One University Heights
Asheville, North Carolina, 28804-8504
828.251.6645
speccoll@unca.edu

Rights

No restrictions. Any display, publication, or public use must credit the D.H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville. Copyright retained by the creators of certain items in the collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Donor

Delany Family

Processing Information

Initially processed by unidentified Special Collections staff, 2002 & 2008. Refoldered and new finding aid by Markia Brooks, 2016

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Collection Inventory

Box 1 

Folder 1: Diploma in General College from, Asheville Biltmore College. June 2, 1963 

Folder 2: NC Recreation Society 

Membership card for the North Carolina Recreation Society. 1965 

Certificate of Membership for the North Carolina Recreation Society. September 11, 1964 

Folder 3: Bachelor of Arts Degree from Asheville Biltmore College. June 25, 1966 

Folder 4: Membership to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. April 14, 1967 

Folder 5: Certificate of Recognition from the YMI Cultural Center Inc. n.d 

Folder 6: Master of Arts in Education from Western Carolina University. June 8, 1975 

Folder 7: Appointment to the Board of Trustees of the University of North Carolina at Asheville. July 17, 1979 

Folder 8: Correspondence 

Letter of thanks presenting a plaque from the Division for Exceptional Children acknowledging Delany's role in developing the program. August 14, 1985 

Letter of thanks from Gordon Cawelti. Delany's service to the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development 

Letter of appointment to the Board of Trustees of the University of North Carolina at Asheville, by James B. Hunt, Jr. Governor. July 17, 1979 

Folder 9: Correspondence 

Letter of Congratulations on Delany's appointment to the State Textbook Commission, from James Clarke Senator. June 11, 1981 

Letter of congratulations on Delany's Textbook Commission appointment, from Jim Crawford. House of Representatives. June 16, 1981 

Letter of thanks for service on the Textbook Commission from James B. Hunt, Jr. Governor. June 30, 1981 

Letter of congratulations for appointment to Textbook Commission, from Benjamin S. Ruffin Special Assistant to the Governor. July 16, 1981 

Letter of congratulations for reappointment to the Textbook Commission. from Jim Crawford. House of Rep. July 17, 1981 

Letter reappointing Delany to Textbook Commission. From James B. Hunt, Jr. Governor. July 1, 1981 

Written Oath to the North Carolina Textbook Commission. Signed by Delany August 15, 1978 

Written Oath to the North Carolina Textbook Commission. Signed by Delany. July 23, 1981 

Folder 10: NC Textbook Commission 

Certificate of appointment to the North Carolina Textbook Commission. August 8, 1978 

Certificate of appointment to the North Carolina Textbook Commission. July 21, 1981 

Folder 11: Certificate for Outstanding Contribution, by the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics. April 2, 1982 

Folder 12: Asheville Buncombe Community Relations Council 

Certificate of Recognition, by the Asheville-Buncombe Commission on the Status of Women. May 31, 1983 

Certificate of Recognition: Nominee for the 1986 Asheville-Buncombe "Woman of the Year" Award, by the Board of Directors of the Asheville Buncombe Community Relations Council. June 18, 1986 

Certificate of Recognition: Nominee for the 1986 Asheville-Buncombe "Woman of the Year" Award, by the Board of Directors of the Asheville Buncombe Community Relations Council. August 24, 1989 

Folder 13: Certificate of completion. Houghton Mifflin Reading Conference conducted at Notre Dame, Indiana. June 26, 1985 

Folder 14: NC Department of Public Instruction 

Certificate of Completion from Leadership Institute for Administrators. North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. April 2, 1987 

Certificate of Completion for North Carolina Effective Teaching Training Program. North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. September 17, 1985 

Folder 15: Certificate of Completion. Biltmore House and Gardens Beyond the Classroom. October 10, 1985 

Folder 16: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development 

Certificate of Appreciation by Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. September 13, 1985 

Certificate of Appreciation by Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. March 24, 1987 

Certificate of Appreciation as a member of the Board of Directors by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. 1985-86 

Certificate of Membership from the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. September 1, 1988 

Certificate of Membership from the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. 1985-86 

Folder 17: Certificate of Recognition from The Foundation University of North Carolina Asheville. August 26, 1987 

Folder 18: Certificate of Appreciation from The Links Inc. National Trends Chair. September 11, 1990 

Folder 19: Certificate of Recognition from North Carolina Center For Public Policy Research. December 8, 1990 

Folder 20: Card from Pack Place Education Arts and Science Center recognizing naming of a seat for Delany in the Diana Wortham Theatre 

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Box 2 

Plaque: Outstanding Young Educator. The Asheville Jaycees. 1972 

Plaque: Special Thanks. The Essence Club. 1982 

Plaque: Woman of Distinction. Altrusa, Quota, Soroptimist, Zonta Clubs. 1989 

Plaque: Appreciation for Outstanding Service. Association for Supervision and Curriculum. 1989-1992 

Plaque: Excellence in Education Contributions to Our Community. WLFA-FM His Radio Second Annual African-American Achievement Award. Feburary 20, 1993 

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Box 3 

Plaque: "Most Outstanding Young Educator" 4th Grade Class Vance School. 1972-73 

Plaque: Recognition in Leadership. Priince Hall Masonic Family of Asheville. September 13, 1981 

Plaque: Recognition as President. North Carolina. ASCD. 1984-1985 

Plaque: Scottish Rite Award. Asheville Consistory # 253. A.A.S.R., P.H.A. November 7, 1992 

Plaque: Appreciation. The National Committee, Arts for the Handicapped. nd 

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