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Julia's Prayer: Recollections of Hamtramck, Michigan, a Polish-American Community Collection

 Collection
Identifier: OCCR0013

Scope and Contents

This collection contains an oral history of Thomas Lewandowski, research, consent forms, and information on Julia's Prayer, Julia's Prayer DVDs, and a Making of Modern Michigan partnership agreement.

Dates

  • 1975 - 2005

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Refer to the Oakland Community College Archives Rules for Use of Archival Materials.

Biographical / Historical

Thomas Lewandowski grew up in Hamtramck, MI and lived there for 30 years before moving to Macomb County, MI. He attended Henry Ford Community College and Wayne State University for a Bachelor of Science in Education and returned to Wayne State in the 1960s for a Master of Science in Library Science. On July 1st, 1965 he was hired as a Chartered Faculty Librarian at the newly established Oakland Community College Auburn Hills Campus. Following the amendment of the Hutchinson Act in 1965 which allowed public employees to bargain collectively, Lewandowski became the Chair of the newly formed independent "campus labor organization" at the Auburn Hills Campus of OCC. Soon thereafter, it became the Oakland Community College Faculty Association (OCCFA).



In 1967 Lewandowski moved to the Highland Lakes Campus where he became a Library Division Chair and in 1974 he moved to the Royal Oak Campus. In the 1970s he began an oral history project to document the life and history of Hamtramck, MI. This project would turn into what would be called: "Julia's Prayer: Recollections of Hamtramck, Michigan, a Polish-American Community". The project culminated in a DVD produced by Oakland Community College. His work was also featured in an episode of a Michigan State University production, "The Making of Modern Michigan". Thomas Lewandowski continued to work as a Librarian at OCC until his retirement in the mid 2000s.

Extent

.5 Linear Feet (1 MB)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection focuses on the research and background of "Julia's Prayer: Recollections of Hamtramck, Michigan, a Polish-American Community" project created by Thomas Lewandowski; and the resulting partnership agreement between Michigan State University and Oakland Community College featuring Lewandowski's work in an episode of "The Making of Modern Michigan". Also included is an oral history on Thomas Lewandowski's life and career.

Arrangement

Folders are listed by their location within each box. They are not necessarily arranged, so any given subject may be dispersed throughout the entire collection.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was donated in 2019 by Mary Ann Sheble, OCC Dean of Learning Resources.

Processing Information

Processed and finding aid written by Oakland Community College Archives on August 26, 2022.
Title
Guide to the Julia's Prayer: Recollections of Hamtramck, Michigan, a Polish-American Community Collection
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Oakland Community College Archives.
Date
2022-08-26
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Oakland Community College Archives Repository

Contact:
D201
2900 Featherstone Rd
Auburn Hills MI 48326 United States