Ralph W. Steetle Papers
Abstract
Ralph Steetle began in educational radio at Louisiana State University where he was its director of broadcasting, and helped build WLSU, one of the first educational FM stations in the south. In the early 1950s, he volunteered to work for the Joint Council on Educational Television (JCET) as an associate director, but became its executive director when Richard Hull left. The Joint Council on Educational Television served as an advocate organization for all the channels. While working for JCET, Steetle worked on the FCC Third Report and Order. This report tentatively set aside 209 frequencies, and became the Sixth Report of 1952, which then allowed 209 communities to speak to the FCC. The collection chronicles the early history of the Joint Committee on Educational Television and Steetle's involvement in this organization.
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This collection is open for research use.
Ralph W. Steetle Papers, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries.
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Historical Note
Ralph W. Steetle was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1912. He grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and attended schools there, graduating from Collinwood High School in 1930. Steetle then enrolled in Cleveland State University's cooperative education plan studying electrical engineering. In 1934, he transferred to Louisiana State University, and graduated in 1936 with a major in radio broadcasting. He continued his studies at Louisiana State, receiving a master's degree in linguistics in 1938. As a graduate fellow, Steetle taught broadcasting and produced university programs on local stations and the state network. During this time, he participated in a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship in the Humanities, in which he interacted with various networks and educational institutions in New York City. After completing his studies, Steetle remained at Louisiana State as the first director of broadcasting in the extension division and as instructor of broadcasting in the Department of Speech.
In 1941, Steetle left Louisiana State University for war service leave to the Department of State in Washington, DC. There, he served as officer in charge of exchange programs in the Division of Cultural Relations, helping to set departmental policy governing production activities of emergency war agencies. Then, from 1942 to 1944, he accepted a commission in the United States Navy, participating in the Navy's Fleet Training Command. Upon conclusion of the war in 1945, Steetle returned to Louisiana State University and helped build WLSU, one of the first educational FM stations in the south. At this time, he also became the regional director of the National Association of Educational Broadcasters.
In 1949, Steetle participated in the Rockefeller-sponsored Allerton House conference on the status and future of educational broadcasting. During this conference, he became interested in the possible reservation of television channels for education. The next year, Steetle went to Washington, DC to attend the first strategy planning session of institutions, organizations, agencies and individuals interested in presenting to the Federal Communications Commissionthe case for reserving educational televisionchannels. In 1951, Steetle was appointed executive director of the Joint Committee on Educational Television, having been given leave from Louisiana State University. In this capacity, he worked to preserve television channels for educational uses and assisted groups planning to build educational television stations. He remained executive director of JCET for almost ten years.
Upon leaving JCET, Steetle became an active part of Oregon public television. In 1960, he was appointed Associate Dean and Director of Educational Media for the Oregon State System of Higher Education. There he built the state educational network and served as an administrator for higher education with an emphasis on continuing education.
Ralph W. Steetle retired in 1974. He died on May 25, 2004.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The Ralph W. Steetle Papers covers the years 1942 to 1981 with the bulk of material between 1950 and 1958. The collection chronicles the early history of the Joint Committee on Educational Television, as well as Steetle's involvement in this organization. Types of documents include awards, clippings, correspondence, interviews, minutes, newsletters, notes, publications, reports and speeches.
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
The Ralph W. Steetle Papers was donated to the National Public Broadcasting Archives, University of Maryland Libraries by Ralph W. Steetle in October and November of 1992, June of 1993 and January of 1995
Processing Information
Processed by Domenic Morea, February 1994. Revised by Karen E. King, January 1995.
EAD Markup created using EAD database in Microsoft Access. Markup completed by Scott Prouty, January 2005.
Arrangement of Collection
The collection is divided into two series
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: The Joint Council on Educational Television (JCET), 1950-1973 (2.00 linear feet)
This series contains minutes, reports, speeches, publications and other documents collected by Ralph W. Steetle. Most of the series focuses on JCET's promotion of educational television and its involvement with educational broadcasting legislation.
Subseries 1.1: Minutes, 1950-1960 (0.50 linear foot)
This subseries contains the minutes of JCET's meetings from 1950 to 1960. In 1956, the Joint Committee on Educational Television changed its name to the Joint Council on Educational Television. The minutes outline who attended each meeting and the topics of discussion. This subseries is arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes -- Special Meeting on TV Allocation Hearings, October 16, 1950 [JCET's first meeting], October 16, 1950 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Minutes, December 7, 1950 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Minutes, April 23, 1951 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Minutes, May 13-14, 1951 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Minutes, June 4-5, 1951 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Minutes, June 20, 1951 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Minutes, July 16, 1951 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Minutes, September 10, 1951 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Minutes, November 3, 1951 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| Minutes, January 21, 1952 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| Minutes, March 31, 1952 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| Minutes, April 22, 1952 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 12 | |
| Minutes, May 12, 1952 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 13 | |
| Minutes, June 16, 1952 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 14 | |
| Minutes, August 2, 1952 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 15 | |
| Minutes, September 24, 1952 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 16 | |
| Minutes, November 6, 1952 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 17 | |
| Minutes, December 4, 1952 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 18 | |
| Minutes, January 21, 1953 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 19 | |
| Minutes, March 4, 1953 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 20 | |
| Minutes, April 13, 1953 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 21 | |
| Minutes, May 4, 1953 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 22 | |
| Minutes, June 3, 1953 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 23 | |
| Minutes, July 15, 1953 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 24 | |
| Minutes, September 9, 1953 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 25 | |
| Minutes, October 22, 1953 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 26 | |
| Minutes, December 16, 1953 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 27 | |
| Minutes, February 14, 1954 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 28 | |
| Minutes, April 9, 1954 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 29 | |
| Minutes, May 14, 1954 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 30 | |
| Minutes, July 7, 1954 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 31 | |
| Minutes, August 18, 1954 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 32 | |
| Minutes, September 29, 1954 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 33 | |
| Minutes, November 10, 1954 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 34 | |
| Minutes, January 5, 1955 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 35 | |
| Minutes, February 16, 1955 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 36 | |
| Minutes, March 30, 1955 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 37 | |
| Minutes, June 27, 1955 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 38 | |
| Minutes, August 31, 1955 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 39 | |
| Minutes, November 2, 1955 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 40 | |
| Minutes, January 20, 1956 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 41 | |
| Minutes, March 28, 1956 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 42 | |
| Minutes, June 20, 1956 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 43 | |
| Minutes, July 16, 1956 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 44 | |
| Minutes, December 14, 1956 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 45 | |
| Minutes, May 22 and March 18, 1957 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 46 | |
| Minutes, January 23, 1958 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 47 | |
| Minutes, April 30, 1958 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 48 | |
| Minutes, September 12, 1958 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 49 | |
| Minutes, November 2, 1959 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 50 | |
| Minutes, February 8, 1960 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 51 | |
Subseries 1.2: Legislation: Educational Television, 1953-1960 (4 folders)
This subseries contains information on state and federal legislation on educational television. Legislative initiatives are present in a state-by-state breakdown. The materials are arranged alphabetically by folder heading.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Television Legislation -- Summary, Alabama-New York, 1953 | series 1.2 | box 2 | folder 1 | |
| Educational Television Legislation -- Summary, North Carolina-Wyoming, 1953 | series 1.2 | box 2 | folder 2 | |
| State Legislative Actions and Educational Television, May 1960 | series 1.2 | box 2 | folder 3 | |
| United States Senate, 86th Congress, 1st Session, Report 56,Educational Television, February 26, 1959 | series 1.2 | box 2 | folder 4 | |
Subseries 1.3: Speeches-Articles-Papers, 1951-1973 (6 folders)
This subseries contains various speeches given by Steetle on educational television, mostly given while he was Executive Director of JCET. Topics include: television programming, educational television, adult education via television and television plans in cities. Other materials include articles on similar topics, a statement by Steetle to the United States Senate Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, and a chapter on the formation of JCET. The materials are divided into two different folder headings and then arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speeches/Articles-Educational Television, 1951-1954 | series 1.3 | box 3 | folder 1 | |
| Speeches/Articles-Educational Television, 1955-1956 | series 1.3 | box 3 | folder 2 | |
| Speeches/Articles-Educational Television, 1957-1960 | series 1.3 | box 3 | folder 3 | |
| Speeches/Articles-Educational Television, 1967, 1973 | series 1.3 | box 3 | folder 4 | |
| Speeches, Conferences re: Educational Television, 1954-1967 | series 1.3 | box 3 | folder 5 | |
| Steetle, Ralph W. Chapter II: "Formation of the JCET", 1973 | series 1.3 | box 3 | folder 6 | |
Subseries 1.4: Reports, 1954-1959, and undated (0.50 linear foot)
This subseries is a collection of various JCET reports on educational television. A four year progress report on educational television and a brief of the JCET to the Federal Communications Commission are also included. The subseries is arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Brief of the JCET" [Before the FCC] -- Parts 1 and 2, undated | series 1.4 | box 4 | folder 1 | |
| "Brief of the JCET" [Before the FCC] -- Parts 2 and 4, undated | series 1.4 | box 4 | folder 2 | |
| "Brief of the JCET" [Before the FCC] -- Parts 5 and 6, undated | series 1.4 | box 4 | folder 3 | |
| "Brief of the JCET" [Before the FCC] -- Part 7, undated | series 1.4 | box 4 | folder 4 | |
| "Brief of the JCET" [Before the FCC] -- Part 8a, undated | series 1.4 | box 4 | folder 5 | |
| "Brief of the JCET" [Before the FCC] -- Part 8b, undated | series 1.4 | box 4 | folder 6 | |
| "Reports: Action for Educational Television", undated | series 1.4 | box 4 | folder 7 | |
| "Suggested Readings on Television", January 1954 | series 1.4 | box 4 | folder 8 | |
| "Two Years of Progress in Educational Television, September 1954 | series 1.4 | box 4 | folder 9 | |
| Miscellaneous, 1954-1958 | series 1.4 | box 4 | folder 10 | |
| "Direct Teaching by Television: An Interim Report", July 18, 1956 | series 1.4 | box 4 | folder 11 | |
| "Four Years of Progress in Educational Television", December 1956 | series 1.4 | box 4 | folder 12 | |
| "Educational Television Today. A Status Report", January 1959 | series 1.4 | box 4 | folder 13 | |
Subseries 1.5: Publications, 1951-1961 (0.50 linear foot)
This subseries contains various educational television publications including JCET Factsheets. The materials are arranged in chronological order.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Papers, 1951 | series 1.5 | box 5 | folder 1 | |
| Television Digest, March 24, 1951 | series 1.5 | box 5 | folder 2 | |
| Television Digest -- "The Final Television Allocation Report", April 14, 1952 | series 1.5 | box 5 | folder 3 | |
| Educational Television Resources, 1952 | series 1.5 | box 5 | folder 4 | |
| Educational Television Resources, 1952 | series 1.5 | box 5 | folder 5 | |
| Educational Television: Factsheet and Box Score, December 1953 - December 1958 [incomplete] | series 1.5 | box 5 | folder 6 | |
| Educational Television: Factsheet and Box Score, December 1953 - December 1958 [incomplete] | series 1.5 | box 5 | folder 7 | |
| Educational Television: Factsheet and Box Score, December 1953 - December 1958 [incomplete] | series 1.5 | box 5 | folder 8 | |
| Educational Television: Factsheet and Box Score, December 1953 - December 1958 [incomplete] | series 1.5 | box 5 | folder 9 | |
| Educational Television: Factsheet and Box Score -- The 1959 Educational Television Directory, January 1959 | series 1.5 | box 5 | folder 10 | |
| Educational Television: Factsheet and Box Score, February 1959 - May 1960 [incomplete] | series 1.5 | box 5 | folder 11 | |
| Educational Television: Factsheet and Box Score, February 1959 - May 1960 [incomplete] | series 1.5 | box 5 | folder 12 | |
| "Programs Presented...", August 1954 | series 1.5 | box 5 | folder 13 | |
| Television in Our Schools, August 1955 | series 1.5 | box 5 | folder 14 | |
| "Checklist for Planning Educational Television Stations", March 1959 | series 1.5 | box 5 | folder 15 | |
| Educational Television Directory, January 1960 | series 1.5 | box 5 | folder 16 | |
| Current Developments in Educational Television, January 1961 | series 1.5 | box 5 | folder 17 | |
Series 2: Broadcasting Miscellaneous, 1942-1981 (0.50 linear feet)
This series contains miscellaneous materials concerning public broadcasting and Ralph Steetle. Materials include information about Oregon Public Broadcasting, an honorary degree given to Steetle from Syracuse University, as well as an oral history of Steetle conducted by James Robertson in 1981. Memoranda relating to Steetle's wartime service are also included in this series. The series is arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Journal of the AERT, November 1954 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 1 | |
| Honorary Degree, Syracuse University, 1960 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 2 | |
| News Release, The Fund for Adult Education, April 12, 1962 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 3 | |
| Window [Reports], 1963-1964 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 4 | |
| Window [Reports], 1963-1964 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 5 | |
| Oregon Public Broadcasting, 1962-1973 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 6 | |
| Robertson Interview with Steetle, May 8, 1981 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 7 | |
| Department of State - Memoranda, 1942-1944 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 8 | |
Related Material
For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.
Selected Search Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the University of Maryland Libraries' Catalog. Researchers desiring related materials about these topics, names, or places may search the Catalog using these headings.
Subjects
- Joint Committee on Educational Television (U.S.) -- History -- Sources.
- Television in education -- United States -- History -- Sources.