Leave Your Legacy

Leave Your Legacy invites students to contribute their ESU experience to the history of the university. Share your photos and memories with us #esulyl

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On April 15 at 7:00 PM, join us in the Learning Commons for a reading by members of the Emporia Writers Group, with the theme of "works in progress."

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Check out our new exhibit in the Learning Commons! Continuing the America 250 theme, this display features children's and young adult books about the American Revolution, both fiction and nonfiction.

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Along with other University Libraries and Archives areas, Special Collections and Archives will be open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM during the week of March 16. Our regular hours will resume the following week.

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Special Collections and Archives has a new online catalog! Users can search all content; browse collections, creators, and subjects; and submit research requests directly from the portal. Find it here: https://t.co/jUxGDXJf7i

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On February 15 at 2:00 PM, join former Emporia Gazette reporters Bobbi Mlynar and Nancy Horst in the Learning Commons as they discuss covering the 1983 murder of Sandra Bird. This program is presented by the W. A. White Community Partnership and University Libraries and Archives.

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The year 2026 marks America's semiquincentennial (say that three times fast!). Check out our new exhibit in the Learning Commons and take a look back at campus happenings during the U.S. Bicentennial of 1976.

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Happy holidays! Special Collections and Archives will be closed for winter break beginning on Tuesday, December 23, at 12:30 PM. We will reopen on Friday, January 2, 2026.

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We will be open but unable to host researchers during January 2-9. If you don't plan to come in person and would like us to perform research on your behalf, we'll be available to take your questions by email or phone. Regular research hours of 8:00-5:00 resume January 20. (3/3)

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Due to limited staffing, Special Collections and Archives will have specific hours for in-person research during the winter break. Our office will be open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with the following research hours (1/3)

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December 15: 9:00 AM-11:30 AM
December 16: 1:30 PM-4:00 PM
December 17: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, 1:00 PM-2:00 PM
December 18: 2:00 PM-3:00 PM
December 22: 9:00 AM-11:30 AM

We encourage researchers to make an appointment by contacting us at [email protected] or 620-341-6431. (2/3)

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The holidays are a great time to get cozy with a book--like one of these titles from our May Massee and William Allen White Children's Book Award collections! Do you have any favorite reads for this time of year?

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After another absence in 1973 due to energy conservation efforts, it has continued to light up the night each year. (2/2)

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The star that shines atop Plumb Hall, as seen in this 1990 photo, has a long history. The first star decoration was installed around 1940. During America's involvement in World War II, campus went dark, but the star returned in December 1945. (1/2)

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Happy Thanksgiving! Special Collections and Archives will be closed this Thursday and Friday, November 27 and 28. We will be open on Wednesday, November 26, but unavailable for in-person research that day.

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Along with other campus departments, Special Collections and Archives will be closed on Tuesday, November 11. We will be open for our regular hours throughout the rest of the week.

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Corky has gotten a number of makeovers over the decades, sometimes with...interesting...results. Which older version of our favorite hornet is the best?

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#EmporiaStateHomecoming is here! Check out these photos of Homecomings past (1957, 1969, 1977, 1989, 1996, 2000) and then head out to make some new memories!

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Today's recipe from Cooking With the Winners and Friends is butterscotch cheesecake bars from Nancy Miller, a friend of the William Allen White Children's Book Award.
If you try this recipe, get in touch and let us know how it turned out!

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Blue cheese can be substituted for Stilton cheese. If shopping for walnut oil, make sure to buy a food-grade product rather than one intended for art or woodworking use; other oils can be substituted. If you try this recipe, get in touch and let us know how it turned out! (2/2)

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Today's recipe from Cooking With the Winners and Friends is walnut and stilton salad from Lois Lowry. She received the 1996 William Allen White Children's Book Award for The Giver. Lowry also received two Newbery Medals, for The Giver in 1994 and Number the Stars in 1990. (1/2)