- Creator
- Fountain, Alvin Marcus, 1899-1989
- Size
- 3.3 linear feet (4 legal boxes, 1 flat folder)
- Call number
- MC 00007
The Alvin Marcus Fountain Papers, 1889-2002, contain records relating to Fountain's career at North Carolina State College (later University) as a student, faculty member, and alumnus. Although a majority of the documents relate to the university, the papers also include records describing Fountain's community involvement. A small number of the documents concern Fountain's wife Maxine and other family members.
Alvin Marcus Fountain (1900-1989), was an educator, technical writer, author, and statistician. He was a member of the English faculty at North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering (later North Carolina State University), 1925-1965, and developed courses in technical writing and public speaking for engineering students. Fountain received the Watauga Medal from North Carolina State University in 1985.
Biographical/historical note
Alvin Marcus Fountain was born in Onslow County, North Carolina, in 1900. He entered North Carolina State College in 1919 after having heard the stories of his cousin Kit Bryan, who had graduated from the college in 1911. Fountain majored in electrical engineering and participated in a number of extracurricular activities: he was an Intersociety debater, a member of the Leazar Literary Society, a member of the Quill Club, and the 1923 class poet. When the student newspaper, the Technician, was started in 1919, Fountain became a regular writer for the newspaper. He wrote both serious stories and humorous pieces, which he wrote under a pen name, Zippy Mack. Fountain eventually became editor-in-chief of the Technician as well as commencement orator in 1923.
After graduation, Fountain became a statistician for the Carolina Power and Light Company. The following year, while putting his older brother Robert Roy (R.R.) through school at N.C. State, Fountain decided to return to N.C. State as well and received a fellowship to do graduate work. Fountain received a master's degree in sociology in 1925 but found himself without any job prospects. Therefore, he wrote to N.C. State's president explaining his situation and offering to teach freshman courses, whereupon the president offered him a job teaching freshman English. At the same time, during summers, Fountain took English courses at the University of North Carolina to acquire the credentials necessary to teach college-level English. During this same period, in 1925, Fountain composed the lyrics to N.C. State's new alma mater, still in use 80 years later.
From 1929 to 1930, Fountain took a year off from teaching to acquire a master's degree in American literature from Columbia University in New York. He returned to teaching duties for several years and then, from 1935 to 1938, again returned to school, this time to receive a doctorate in technical writing from Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee. While researching for his dissertation, Fountain came across the American Society for Engineering Education, an organization with which Fountain would be associated for over 30 years.
Upon returning once more to N.C. State, Fountain began developing courses in technical writing and in public speaking for engineering students. In 1943, Fountain co-authored the third edition of The Engineer's Manual of English. Later, he co-authored The Manual of Technical Writing. Fountain retired from teaching in 1965, but remained active in the N.C. State community by researching and composing a book on the history of place names at the university.
Fountain was also involved in the community outside the university. He was an active member and church elder in the Hillyer Memorial Christian Church, which he joined in 1923. He also was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was deeply committed to his family history, doing a great deal of genealogical research and organizing annual family reunions. Fountain married Maxine Taylor, a native of Halifax County, North Carolina, in 1937. They had two children, Marcia and Alvin II (known as Mark). Fountain died in 1989.
Scope/content
The Alvin Marcus Fountain Papers include correspondence, writings, publications, poetry, minutes, programs, brochures, reports, newspaper articles, photographs, memoranda, newsletters, notes, and slides. The Papers are organized into three series: North Carolina State University, Personal, and Writings and Publications.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into three series:
- MC 00007 Series 1. North Carolina State University Papers
- MC 00007 Series 2. Personal Papers
- MC 00007 Series 3. Writings and Publications
Use of these materials
The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.
The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Alvin Marcus Fountain Papers, MC 00007,
Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Related material
Source of acquisition
Gift of Alvin Marcus Fountain, 1968, 1974, 1977, 1984, 1985, 1987; Harlan Brown, December 3, 1970; Maxine Taylor Fountain, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1993; and Ben Horne, 1991.
Processing information
Processed by Special Collections Research Center Staff
Re-processed by Stephanie A. Horowitz
Encoded by Stephanie A. Horowitz
Updated by Aaron Cusick, 2009 November
The collection is organized into three principal series:
North Carolina State University Papers 1889-1991 (MC 00007 Series 1)
Size: 1.5 linear feet
This series contains the records of Alvin Marcus Fountain's career at North Carolina State College (later North Carolina State University) as a student, faculty member, and alumnus. It is divided into subseries based on the aforementioned delineations. Within subseries, folders are arranged alphabetically.
Student 1919-1923 (MC 00007Subseries 1.1)
Commencement Program 1923
Coursework, Drawings for Mechanical Engineering 1920, undated
Coursework, Drawings for Mechanical Engineering 1919-1920, undated
Recommendation Form undated
State College Record 1919 Mar.
Writings, Agromeck 1921, 1923
Writings, Technician 1920-1923
Faculty 1938-1974 (MC 00007 Subseries 1.2)
American Society for Engineering Education, Annual Meeting 1952
American Society for Engineering Education, Annual Meeting 1953
American Society for Engineering Education, Annual Meeting 1957
American Society for Engineering Education, Annual Meeting 1958
American Society for Engineering Education, Papers by Alvin Marcus Fountain 1958, 1961, undated
American Society for Engineering Education, Technical Writing Articles 1950-1952
Faculty Publications Form circa 1938
Phi Kappa Phi 1942, undated
Alumni 1889-1991 (MC 00007 Subseries 1.3)
Attractor, 84th anniversary of North Carolina State University 1973 Sept. 28
Article on Yugoslav classmates 1980
Buildings and Grounds Committee, Minutes and Report 1961, 1970
Committee on the History of the College, Annual Reports 1955-1957
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Memoranda 1972-1973
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Minutes 1972-1977
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Reference Material 1967-1973
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Reference Notebook 1 undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Reference Notebook 1 undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Reference Notebook 1 undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Reference Notebook 2 undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Reference Notebook 2 undated
File 2 of 4. Also contains information about genealogy and Sons of the American Revolution.
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Reference Notebook 2 undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Reference Notebook 2 undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Bureau of Mines Building undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Burlington Engineering Laboratories 1972-1973
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Case Athletic Center 1966, 1972
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Cell Library undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Chamberlain Street 1972, 1982, undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Cox Hall 1970, undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Culbreth Drive 1971
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Danforth Chapel 1966-1972
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Dunn Avenue 1972
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Forster Library 1972
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Fraternity Housing 1966, undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Gardner Arboretum 1972
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Greaves-Walker Reading Room 1946-1972
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Greenhouse #1 undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Grinnells Animal Health Laboratory 1972
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Harrelson Hall 1932, 1936
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Heating Plant undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Hill Library 1916
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Holladay Hall 1895, 1972-1975
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, King Religious Center 1955, 1962, undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Leazar Hall undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Lee Dormitory 1966
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Lyons Design Library 1968, 1972
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Magnum Hall 1972
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Mann Hall 1972
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, McKimmon Room 1972, undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Old Mechanical undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Pate Drive 1971
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Patterson and Peele Halls 1908, 1972
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Poe Hall 1971, undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Polk Hall undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Power Plant 1972
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Price Drive 1971
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Pullen Hall undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Pullen Road undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Randolph Reading Room 1961
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Robertson Laboratories undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Scott Hall 1972
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Stephens Room undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Student Supply Store 1973
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Summer House undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Watauga Hall undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Winston Hall 1899-1987
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Yates-Mill Laboratories 1972
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Research, Unnamed Buildings 1972-1973, undated
Committee on Institutional History and Commemoration, Place Names, Progress Reports 1971-1972
Founders' Day, Program and Articles 1957
Fraternity, Alpha Lambda Tau 1932-1933
Fraternity, Mu Beta Psi undated
Reunion, Class Directory 1973 May 4
Reunion, Correspondence and Notes 1973
Reunion, Invocation and Salute 1973 May 4
Reunion, Photographs undated
Reunion, Research on Classmates, Correspondence and Notes 1972-1973
University History Research, "Bear in the Chapel" Oral History Project 1914, 1984, undated
University History Research, Newspaper Articles 1889-1991, undated
University History Research, Pullen Land Grant undated
University History Research, Textile Plant Fire 1889, 1914
Writings, Agromeck 1927-1928
Writings, Alma Mater 1925
Access to physical material and digital files not available online may be provided
for use in the SCRC Reading Room after staff review.
Writings, Technician 1924-1978, undated
Access to physical material and digital files not available online may be provided
for use in the SCRC Reading Room after staff review.
Personal Papers 1911-1992 (MC 00007 Series 2)
Size: 0.5 linear feet
This series contains records regarding Alvin Fountain's community involvement and his research into his family history. It also includes his personal correspondence and the records of Maxine Taylor Fountain. The series is divided into five subseries: Community Involvement, Family History, Correspondence, General, and Maxine Taylor Fountain. Within the subseries, folders are arranged alphabetically.
Community Involvement 1954-1981 (MC 00007 Subseries 2.1)
Cane Ridge Revival, Christian Church undated
D.H. Hill Library, Donation 1981 Apr. 21
Danforth Scholars, Seminar on General Education and Religion and Moral Values, University of Chicago 1957 June
Duke Players, Experimental Theatre undated
Hillyer Memorial Christian Church, Convention, Charlotte, Visual Records 1972
Hillyer Memorial Christian Church, Newspaper Articles 1974, undated
Hillyer Memorial Christian Church, Writings 1974-1978
International Ecumenical Institute, Participation 1954 Sept.
National Benevolent Association of the Christian Church, Donation 1972 Feb. 24
North Carolina Council of Churches Legislative Seminar 1975 Jan.
Sons of the American Revolution 1976, undated
Sons of the American Revolution, Photographs undated
Sons of the American Revolution, Writings 1973 July 1
Union Chapel Christian Church, Writings 1979 July 24
Wake County Association of Retired Persons, Introduction of Burton F. Beers 1979 Feb. 15
Correspondence 1922-1989 (MC 00007 Subseries 2.2)
Holiday and Special Occasion Letters 1954-1987, undated
Family History 1911-1992 (MC 00007 Subseries 2.3)
Family Reunion Newsletters 1924, 1970-1986
Genealogy Research Notes 1920-1986, undated
The John R. Fountain Family 1952 Nov. 11
The John R. Fountain Family of Onslow County, North Carolina 1992
John R. Fountain Family Reunion Assembly Area Dedication undated
John R. Fountain Memorial Plaque Dedication 1962 Sept. 9
Mattie Ella Moore Taylor: 1879-1962 1963 Jan. 1
Newspaper Articles 1971-1988
People and Events Contemporary with John R. Fountain and Molsey A. Fountain 1952
General 1927-1962 (MC 00007 Subseries 2.4)
Louisburg College, The Oak Yearbook Page 1927
Newspaper Articles about Alvin Fountain 1956-1984
Notes, Political Ideas undated
Playbills and Play Scripts undated
Alma Mater, N.C. State College 1923
Publications, collected by Fountain 1931, 1962
Maxine Taylor Fountain 1947-1989 (MC 00007 Subseries 2.5)
Correspondence 1948-1949, 1988-1989
Daughters of the American Revolution, Constitutional Drama 1987
Newspaper Articles 1949, 1969, undated
North Carolina State College Women's Club 1947-1956, undated
Writings and Publications 1929-1988 (MC 00007 Series 3)
This series contains Alvin Fountain's writings and publications that do not concern North Carolina State University or his professional and personal affiliations. Folders are arranged alphabetically.
Eulogy, Ralph Swann undated
Letters to the Editor, Drafts undated
Newspaper Articles and Letters to the Editor 1972-1988, undated
Obituary, Cat 1973 Nov. 21
Poetry 1929-1984, undated
William Norwood Hicks II: An Appreciation 1974
Access to the collection
This collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice.
Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials,
access to digital files may require additional advanced notice.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Alvin Marcus Fountain Papers, MC 00007,
Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Use of these materials
The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.
The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.