Norman H. High (1913-1974)

Title: Norman H. High fonds

Dates of creation: 1922-1954

Physical description: 5 cm of textual material

Biographical sketch: Norman Hervey High (15 June 1913-4 December 1974) was born in Lincoln County, Ontario.  High was the son of Alfred and Alda Culp High and the great grandson of Daniel Hoch. He studied at Ontario Agricultural College (BSA, 1940) and Cornell University (MS, 1941; PhD, 1950) in the fields of education, rural sociology, and agricultural economics.

High was said to be the first member of the Mennonite Conference of Ontario and Quebec to obtain a PhD degree. High married Eleanor H. Young (9 May 1924-6 November 2001) on 1 December 1945. They had five children. After Norman's death, Eleanor married Milton R. Good (20 June 1911-3 March 2008) on 4 June 1977.

High was a professor and administrator at Ontario Agricultural College (1946-1961), the first Dean of Arts at the University of Waterloo (1961-67), professor of adult education at Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and Professor of Sociology at the University of Waterloo (1971-1974). He served on the Conrad Grebel College board of directors from its inception (1961) to his death, and was acting president of the college in 1972. He was on founding committees for both Conrad Grebel College (1960) and Rockway Mennonite School (1944).

Custodial history: The records were donated to the Mennonite Archives of Ontario in October 2008 by Margaret Butt, daughter of Normal & Eleanor High.

Scope and content: The collection consists of Norman High's academic records beginning in public school, Various diplomas and certificates of recognition earned, literary society papers from April 1933, materials related to a garden party at Buckingham Palace in 1954. There are also some photographs lodged in the Archives photograph collection. High's M.S. Thesis and Ph.D. dissertation are housed in the Historical Library.

Notes: Archival description created November 2008 by Sam Steiner.
For sound recordings of Norman High's memorial services, see Hist.Mss.20/12 and Hist.Mss.20/13.

File list:

Series 1 :

1. Rittenhouse Public School report card, ca. 1925?, merit cards for attendance for 1922/23, 1923/24; 1925/26
2. Certificate of membership, Moyer Mennonite Church, 9 May 1925; Robert Raikes certificate for a perfect Sunday school record for six years ending in 1922.
3. Beamsville High School reports and exam results, 1927-1931; diploma, 1930.
4. Teaching certificates, 1931-1932
5. Ontario Agricultural College, 1936/37-1939/40 and awards, including Governor General's medal for 1938; commencement program, 1940; program and photos from "Pride and Prejudice" drama in which High appeared, January 1940
6. Cornell University grade reports, 1941-1942; graduate dinner party program, 1941
7. Pages of a literary society at Vineland, April 1933
8. Letter of reference for Norman High by S. F. Coffman, 22 June 1932
9. Wedding invitation, Eleanor Young and Norman High, 1 December 1945
10. Gas ration stamps, 1945/1946
11. Clipping re: 1954 trip to England to study agricultural education, includes invitation to garden party at Buckingham Palace on 22 July 1954. (See also photograph of High meeting the Queen Mother.
12. Letter from John E. Coffman & telegram related to death of S. F. Coffman on 28 June 1954 (while High was in England).
13. Materials received from Eleanor High by Sam Steiner at time of writing Mennonite Encyclopedia article on Norman, 1987. (obituary, curriculum vitae, etc.)