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A.J. McClung Papers Collection (MC 200) - Columbus State University

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Archives and Special Collections

A.J. McClung Papers Collection (MC 200)

Biographical Note

The Honorable Arthur Joseph “A.J.” McClung (Jan. 15, 1912-Nov. 17, 2002) was an educator, politician, administrator, community developer and leader in Columbus, Georgia. McClung was born in Birmingham, Alabama to Arthur Holman McClung and Claudia Robinson McClung. Coming from a strong family background and being the second oldest child born between—Ruth McClung Sturdivant and Sylvia McClung Davis—work became a personal responsibility to McClung. When his father died he dropped out of high school, and when his mother discovered that he was working instead of going to school, she enrolled him in Tuskegee Institute from which he graduated in 1933.

McClung arrived in Columbus in 1943, after a decade of service of being an innovative athletic coach and instructor at Westfield High School in Birmingham. His career in Columbus began first as the United Service Organizations (USO) Director (1943-1954), then from 1954-1978 he served as the Executive Director of the A.J. McClung YMCA, previously the Brookhaven Branch. He was hired in 1979 as the Deputy Director of the Columbus Urban League and completed his service there in 1980.

In 1970, McClung was elected councilor and mayor pro tem for the first time. Columbus became a consolidated government in 1971, and McClung was instrumental in the formation and implementation of the charter for the newly formed government. After Mayor J.R. Allen was killed in a tragic plane crash, McClung was the first African-American to serve as mayor in a major Southern city in 1973 (for 52 ½ days).

Believing strongly in service to the community McClung is reported by Judge Albert Thompson as saying to him, “Think things out”, and during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s-70s he often put the community's well-being before his own. He went on to serve the city of Columbus and the City Council for a total of 28 years until his retirement in 1998. A dedicated and well-respected Columbusite, McClung left a legacy of hope, service to the community, and respect for all people; to his family and the entire Chattahoochee Valley region.

Note: Additional information on the life of A.J. McClung may be found in the Columbus State University Vertical Files.

Scope and Content

The A.J. McClung Papers comprise 12 linear feet of materials and are arranged into eight Series of Correspondence, Newspaper Clippings, Government Documents, Personal, Awards, Speeches, Information about Columbus and Photographs.

Series 1 consists of correspondence from 1963-1974 and 1976-1999.

Series 2 contains newspaper clippings from various local newspapers that cover the span of his life in Columbus.

Series 3 has three linear feet of documents that pertain to Columbus Consolidated Government's projects and budgets.

Series 4 comprises three linear feet of personal documents holding items, such as biographical information, publications that deal with equality in education, letters from his trip to Japan and proclamations.

Series 5 has nine linear feet of material that include awards given to McClung from 1940-2002.

Series 6 contains speeches for various occasions both typed and handwritten.

Series 7 is information about Columbus in the form of pamphlets and publications about places, such as the Ma Rainey House and the Liberty Theatre.

Series 8 is a collection of photographs—framed and unframed.

Series 9 is a collection of scrapbooks.

Note: boxes are being reorganized as of February 2017.

Permission to Publish

Permission to publish material from the [Finding Aid Title] must be obtained from the Columbus State University Archives. Use of the following credit line for publication or exhibit is required:

A.J. McClung Papers Collection Columbus State University Archives Columbus, Georgia

Provenance

Donated to Columbus State University in 2005 by: Charles and Lillian “Bunky” McClung Clark, and Art and Angela McClung. Recent material was donated in 2016 byLillian "Bunky" McClung Clark.

Box and Folder List

Series 1 - Correspondence

Box 1

  • Folder 1: Correspondence 1963-1974
  • Folder 2: Correspondence 1976-1977
  • Folder 3: Correspondence 1978-1980
  • Folder 4: Correspondence 1981
  • Folder 5: Correspondence 1982
  • Folder 6: Correspondence 1983
  • Folder 7: Correspondence 1984
  • Folder 8: Correspondence 1985-1986
  • Folder 9: Correspondence 1987-1988
  • Folder 10: Correspondence 1989
  • Folder 11: Correspondence 1990
  • Folder 12: Correspondence 1991
  • Folder 13: Correspondence 1992
  • Folder 14: Correspondence 1993
  • Folder 15: Correspondence 1994
  • Folder 16: Correspondence 1995
  • Folder 17: Correspondence 1996
  • Folder 18: Correspondence 1997
  • Folder 19: Correspondence 1998
  • Folder 20: Correspondence 1999
  • Folder 21: Miscellaneous Correspondence 1 of 2
  • Folder 22: Miscellaneous Correspondence 2 of 2
  • Folder 23: Box of note cards with speeches and Christmas cards

Series 2 - Newspaper clippings

Box 1

  • Folder 1: Four Councilmen Head for Japan”, by Constance Johnson (framed article)
  • Folder 2:Columbus Times (Multiple Newspaper Articles)
  • Folder 3: Miscellaneous Articles
  • Folder 4: Newspaper articles 1 of 11
  • Folder 5: Newspaper clippings 2 of 11
  • Folder 6: Newspaper clippings 3 of 11
  • Folder 7: Newspaper clippings 4 of 11
  • Folder 8: Newspaper clippings 5 of 11
  • Folder 9: Newspaper clippings 6 of 11
  • Folder 10: Newspaper clippings 7 of 11
  • Folder 11: Newspaper clippings 8 of 11
  • Folder 12: Newspaper clippings 9 of 11
  • Folder 13: Newspaper clippings 10 of 11
  • Folder 14: Newspaper clippings 11 of 11

Series 3 - Government Documents

Box 1

  • Folder 1: Columbus Consolidated Government: 1996 Centennial Olympic Games Softball Venue August 17, 1993
  • Folder 2: Charter of Consolidated Government books
  • Folder 3: Columbus Code- Consolidated Government of Columbus Georgia: Municipal Code Corporation
  • Folder 4: Columbus Olympic Partnership Atlanta
  • Folder 5: Consolidated City Government
  • Folder 6: Consolidated Government 1 of 2
  • Folder 7: Consolidated Government 2 of 2
  • Folder 8: Consolidated Government Background
  • Folder 9: Consolidated Government City Services Directory, 1995.
  • Folder 10: Consolidated Government Strategic Action Plan, May 7, 1993.
  • Folder 11: Empowerment Zone/ Enterprise Community Initiative Urban Application Round II: Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia
  • Folder 12: History of Consolidation
  • Folder 13: Long Range Fiscal Plan: Columbus Consolidated Government October 10, 1989
  • Folder 14: Redevelopment plan Updates, Community Development Block Grant Program
  • Folder 15: Special Early Retirement Program

Box 2

  • Folder 1: Annual Budget of Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 1984
  • Folder 2: Annual Budget of Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 1989
  • Folder 3: Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1990
  • Folder 4: Annual Budget of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia For the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 1991
  • Folder 5: Recommended Annual Operating Budget of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia For the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 1991
  • Folder 6: Small Disadvantaged Business Loan Program Structural Organization-1992
  • Folder 7: Annual Operating Budget of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia For the Fiscal Year July 1, 1992 thru June 30, 1993
  • Folder 8: Columbus Comprehensive Draft Plan-1993

Box 3

  • Folder 1: Proposed One-Cent Sales Tax Referendum: Planning Program January 1993
  • Folder 2: Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended Jun 30, 1993
  • Folder 3: Line-Item Budget for the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia for the Fiscal Year July 1, 1992 thru June 30, 1993
  • Folder 4: Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1994
  • Folder 5: Comprehensive Annual Financial Report-1994
  • Folder 6: Annual Operating Budget of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia For the Fiscal Year July 1, 1993 thru June 30, 1994
  • Folder 7: Recommended Annual Operating Budget of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia For the Fiscal Year July 1, 1993 thru June 30, 1994
  • Folder 8: Pay Survey and Report Prepared for the: FY 94 Budget Preparation
  • Folder 9: Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 1, 1995
  • Folder 10: Annual Operating Budget of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia For the Fiscal Year July 1, 1994 thru June 30, 1995 Document 1
  • Folder 11: Annual Operating Budget of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia For the Fiscal Year July 1, 1994 thru June 30, 1995 Document 2
  • Folder 12: Columbus & Other Local Governments: A Comparison of Revenues, Expenditures & Personnel
  • Folder 13: Tourism Master Plan for Georgia 1992
  • Folder 14: Columbus Clean Indoor Air Committee

Series 4 - Personal

Box 1

  • Folder 1: 1996 Olympic Softball mug
  • Folder 2: American Flag flown over the U.S. Capitol, December 15, 1998.
  • Folder 3: 1999 Weekly Appointment Book
  • Folder 4: Wooded Box “Universitas Tuskegeensis: Scientia Principatus Oprera” containing a pen, medals, paper weight, and get well soon notes
  • Folder 5: Black Elected Officials in the Southern States January 8, 1969
  • Folder 6: Black History Organizations
  • Folder 7: Brewer's Legacy: Concern For Human Rights
  • Folder 8: The Columbus Times August 7, 1985, Volume XXVI, No. 39
  • Folder 9: Columbus and the Valley: Business and Lifestyle, Editor: Alice Robertson Nov.-Dec. 1998, Volume Seven, Number 6
  • Folder 10: Down Home: The Missing Link
  • Folder 11: Ed Wilson Commentary Broadcast
  • Folder 12: Honors through letters and articles
  • Folder 13: Minority
  • Folder 14: Miscellaneous 1 of 2
  • Folder 15: Miscellaneous 2 of 2
  • Folder 16: New Foundation of America: Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States.
  • Folder 17: New Thrust Ten Years Later: 1978 Annual Report
  • Folder 18: Personal
  • Folder 19: The State of Black America 1979
  • Folder 20: Twenty Years after Brown: Equality of Educational Opportunity
  • Folder 21: The Unfulfilled Promise of Vocational Education: A Look at Sex and Race Equity in Georgia

Box 2

  • Folder 1: Biographical Information
  • Folder 2: Campaign information 1994
  • Folder 3: Court Cases
  • Folder 4: Human Resources
  • Folder 5: Invitations/Agendas
  • Folder 6: Kiryu City, Japan
  • Folder 7: Kiwanis Club of Columbus
  • Folder 8: Mayoral Engagements
  • Folder 9: Miscellaneous 1 of 2
  • Folder 10: Miscellaneous 2 of 2
  • Folder 11: Newsletters/Programs
  • Folder 12: Oiso Prince Hotel
  • Folder 13: Pamphlets
  • Folder 14: Poetry
  • Folder 15: Retirement: A Gift of Memories
  • Folder 16: Sports Hall of Fame

Box 3

  • Folder 1: Proclamation-1964
  • Folder 2: Proclamation-1986
  • Folder 3: Proclamation-1994
  • Folder 4: Resolution-1973
  • Folder 5: Resolution-1973
  • Folder 6: Resolution-1973
  • Folder 7: Resolution-1975
  • Folder 8: Resolution-1981
  • Folder 9: Resolution-1983
  • Folder 10: Resolution-1983
  • Folder 11: Resolution-1985
  • Folder 12: Resolution-1987
  • Folder 13: Resolution-1989

Series 5 - Awards

Box 1 1940-1974

  • Folder 1: Recognition of service-1946
  • Folder 2: Civil Rights Committee Appointment-1962
  • Folder 3: Leadership Award-1965
  • Folder 4: YMCA Week-1966
  • Folder 5: Distinguished Service-1968
  • Folder 6: Certificate of Appreciation-1967-1970
  • Folder 7: Certificate of Appreciation-1970
  • Folder 8: Outstanding Support to Soldiers-1970-1983
  • Folder 9: Certificate for Meritorious Service-1971
  • Folder 10: Honorable Award-1971
  • Folder 11: Consolidated Government Award-1971
  • Folder 12: Meritorious Award-1972
  • Folder 13: Citizen of The Year-1972-73
  • Folder 14: NAACP Achievement Award-1973
  • Folder 15: Meritorious Service-1973
  • Folder 16: Certificate of Appreciation-1973
  • Folder 17: Certificate of Appreciation-1973
  • Folder 18: Meritorious Service Award-1973
  • Folder 19: Outstanding Service-1974
  • Folder 20: Councilman Recognition-1974

Box 2 1975-1979

  • Folder 1: Outstanding Service-1975-1980
  • Folder 2: Certificate of Appreciation-1976-1983
  • Folder 3: Outstanding Contributions-1975
  • Folder 4: Award of Appreciation-1975
  • Folder 5: Certificate of Appreciation-1975/1976
  • Folder 6: Award for Appreciation-1976
  • Folder 7: WSB Radio 750 Award-1976
  • Folder 8: Appointment on the State Board of Education-1976
  • Folder 9: Certificate of Appreciation-1976-1977
  • Folder 10: Award of Excellence-1978
  • Folder 11: Retirement Article Plaque-1978
  • Folder 12: Certificate of Appreciation-1979
  • Folder 13: Publishers Merit Award-1979
  • Folder 14: 1st Annual A.J. McClung Pet Show-1979

Box 3 1980-1985

  • Folder 1: Recognition of Achievement-1980
  • Folder 2: Push Excellence Award-1980
  • Folder 3: Service Award-1980
  • Folder 4: Tuskegee Institute Athletic Hall of Fame-1981
  • Folder 5: Community Service Award-1981
  • Folder 6: Certificate of Appreciation-1982
  • Folder 7: Councilman Recognition-1982
  • Folder 8: Outstanding Leadership-1983
  • Folder 9: Outstanding Service-1983
  • Folder 10: Award of Acknowledgement and Appreciation-1983
  • Folder 11: Article Plaque-1983
  • Folder 12: National School Guidance and Counseling Week-1984
  • Folder 13: Robert Russa Monton Award-1984
  • Folder 14: Outstanding Service to The TNAA-1984
  • Folder 15: YMCA Award of Excellence-1985
  • Folder 16: Liberty Bell Award-1985
  • Folder 17: Outstanding Service-1985
  • Folder 18: Key To City-1985
  • Folder 19: Certificate of Award in Recognition-1985

Box 4 1986-1989

  • Folder 1: Certificate of Recognition-1986
  • Folder 2: Appreciation of Participation-1986
  • Folder 3: Hall of Fame Trophy- 1986
  • Folder 4: Appreciation Award-1986
  • Folder 5: Certificate of Appreciation-1986
  • Folder 6: Community Service Award-1986
  • Folder 7: Honorable Member Award-1987
  • Folder 8: Outstanding Service Award-1987
  • Folder 9: Meritorious Service Award-1987
  • Folder 10: YMCA Recognition of Excellence-1987
  • Folder 11: Compliments Award-1988
  • Folder 12: Citizen of the Month-1988
  • Folder 13: The Dr. John Townsend Achievement Award-1988
  • Folder 14: Community Service Award-1988
  • Folder 15: Southern Bell Award for Recognition-1989
  • Folder 16: Outstanding Service-1989
  • Folder 17: Faithful Service Award-1989
  • Folder 18: YMCA Membership Campaign-1989
  • Folder 19: Loyal Service as Water Commissioner-1989

Box 5 1990-1994

  • Folder 1: Recognition of Outstanding Service-1991
  • Folder 2: YMCA “Quota Buster”-1991
  • Folder 3: YMCA Membership Drive-1991
  • Folder 4: Presidential Associate-1991
  • Folder 5: Citation of Appreciation-1991
  • Folder 6: YMCA Membership Drive-1992
  • Folder 7: Citation of Appreciation-1992
  • Folder 8: Sergeant Major Award-1992
  • Folder 9: Appreciation for Service to Youth-1993
  • Folder 10: Participative Service Award-1993
  • Folder 11: Elected Officials Appreciation Night-1993
  • Folder 12: Certificate of Commendation-1994
  • Folder 13: Appreciation for Dedicated Service-1994
  • Folder 14: Invest in Youth Award-1994
  • Folder 15: Hall of Fame Award-1994
  • Folder 16: Outstanding Achievement Award-1994

Box 6 1994-1997

  • Folder 1: Outstanding Black History Maker Award-1994
  • Folder 2: Appreciation for Service-1994
  • Folder 3: Olympic Softball 1996 Ground Breaking-1994
  • Folder 4: Recognition of Outstanding Contribution-1995
  • Folder 5: Key to the City: Phenix City, AL-1995
  • Folder 6: Citation of Appreciation-1995
  • Folder 7: Recognition of Achievements and Contributions-1995
  • Folder 8: Award of Excellence-1995
  • Folder 9: Recognition for Outstanding Service-1996
  • Folder 10: Gold Newspaper Article-1996
  • Folder 11: Certificate of Appreciation-1996
  • Folder 12: XXVI Olympiad-Atlanta Mug-1996
  • Folder 13: Thanks-1996
  • Folder 14: Certificate of Apprecitation-1997
  • Folder 15: Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation-1997
  • Folder 16: Recognition of Outstanding Service-1997
  • Folder 17: YMCA Top Producing Team-1997
  • Folder 18: Certificate of Appreciation-1997
  • Folder 19: Certificate of Appreciation-1997
  • Folder 20: Outstanding Dedication and Service Award-1997-1998

Miscellaneous

  • Folder 1: Fifty Most Influential African Americans Award
  • Folder 2: Outstanding Service
  • Folder 3: Founding Brother Award for Lambda Iota Chapter
  • Folder 4: Honorary Admissions Liaison Officer
  • Folder 5: Boy Scouts of America Plate
  • Folder 6: Distinguished Citizen Award
  • Folder 7: Recognition of Outstanding Public Service
  • Folder 8: Outstanding Service
  • Folder 9: Award for Appreciation
  • Folder 10: Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition
  • Folder 11: Miscellaneous Awards and metals
  • Folder 12: Certificate of Appreciation
  • Folder 13: Jim Woodruff Jr. Award

Box 7 1998

  • Folder 1: Congratulations on Retirement-1998
  • Folder 2: Liberty Bell Award-1998
  • Folder 3: Appreciation of Service-1998
  • Folder 4: “Man In the Arena”-1998
  • Folder 5: Appreciation of Loyal Service and Commitment-1998
  • Folder 6: Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition-1998
  • Folder 7: Key To City: Tuskegee Alabama-1998
  • Folder 8: Lifetime Public Service and Achievement Award-1998
  • Folder 9: Dedication of Service to Community-1998
  • Folder 10: Award of Appreciation-1998
  • Folder 11: Steward Certificate-1998
  • Folder 12: Retirement from City Government-1998
  • Folder 13: YMCA Membership Drive-1998

Box 8 1999-2002

  • Folder 1: Award of Appreciation-1999
  • Folder 2: Appreciation and Dedication of Service Award-1999
  • Folder 3: Dedicated Service and Support-1999
  • Folder 4: American Cancer Society Crystal Ball-1999
  • Folder 5: Honorable True Friend of Columbus State University-1999
  • Folder 6: Church Award-2000
  • Folder 7: Hall of Fame Winner-2002

Box 9

Merged into Box 6.

Box 10 Miscellaneous

  • Folder 1: Vote count for Councilman Post # 9
  • Folder 2: Lower Chattahoochee Area Planning and Development Commission Member
  • Folder 3: Outstanding Leadership
  • Folder 4: Man of The Year
  • Folder 5: Outstanding Alumni Award
  • Folder 6: Pen Holder-1971-1974
  • Folder 7: City Key
  • Folder 8: The Life Time Achievement Award (Plate)
  • Folder 9: Community Service Award
  • Folder 10: Certificate of Appreciation
  • Folder 11: Plaque of A.J. McClung Branch YMCA
  • Folder 12: Certificate of Appreciation
  • Folder 13: Award of Appreciation

Series 6 - Speeches Box 1

  • Folder 1: Black History Month Speeches
  • Folder 2: Speeches - Typed 1 of 3
  • Folder 3: Speeches - Typed 2 of 3
  • Folder 4: Speeches - Typed 3 of 3
  • Folder 5: Speeches - Written 1 of 2
  • Folder 6: Speeches - Written 2 of 2

Series 7 - Information about Columbus

Box 1

  • Folder 1: Columbus 1996 Olympics
  • Folder 2: Columbus Committee
  • Folder 3: Columbus Police Department
  • Folder 4: Columbus Water Works
  • Folder 5: Development plans
  • Folder 6: Information about Columbus
  • Folder 7: Letters
  • Folder 8: Liberty Theatre
  • Folder 9: Ma Rainey
  • Folder 10: Miscellaneous
  • Folder 11: Pamphlets
  • Folder 12: Sales Tax Referendum and development
  • Folder 13: Sports Council
  • Folder 14: Transportation Program
  • Folder 15: 800 Megahertz Trunked Radio Communication System
  • Folder 16: Elementary Student Assignment Task Force

Series 8 - Photographs

Box 1

  • Folder 1: AUF Wiedersehen Ceremony Photos
  • Folder 2: Morehouse Pictures
  • Folder 3: A.J. McClung Photos
  • Folder 4: Miscellaneous Photos
  • Folder 5: Framed Photos

Series 9 - Scrapbooks

Box 1

  • Six scrapbooks

Box 2

  • Six scrapbooks

Box 3

  • Six oversized scrapbooks

Box and Folder List Compiled by Jeannie Smith, March 2006 and updated by Giselle Remy Bratcher.

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