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National School of Business promotional materials

Creation: 1953
 Collection
Accession: 2874

Abstract

The National School of Business was established to offer post-secondary education with a curriculum aimed at preparing graduates for employment in clerical, office, and accounting work. Founded in 1941, the school is located in Rapid City, South Dakota. It now operates mainly online as a private for-profit university under the name National American University. This small collection consists of materials intended to recruit young people into the program and provide insight into the working world of the 1950s. It includes a booklet for women highlighting the opportunities available to them (e.g., stenographer, teacher, bookkeeper, nurse); the training needed; and the future outlook for those jobs.

Dates

  • Creation: 1953

Creator

Extent

6 item(s)

Historical Note

The National School of Business was established to offer post-secondary education with a curriculum aimed at preparing graduates for employment in clerical, office, and accounting work. Founded in 1941, the school is located in Rapid City, South Dakota. Clarence Jacobson (1904-1996) was the school's director, while his wife, Katherine June (Bragg) Jacobson (Philippe) (1902-1996), was the assistant director and registrar. They both had been connected with Black Hills Commercial College for six years prior; he worked as the director of employment and student counselor, and she was head of the Bookkeeping and Accounting Department.

The school occupied the entire second floor of the Hoseth Building in Rapid City until 1960, when it moved to Kansas City Street. Enrollment grew from a handful of local students to more than 300 from neighboring states.

Harold D. Buckingham (1910-1995) purchased the school from the Jacobsons in 1962. Buckingham was one of the founders and officers of United-Buckingham Freight Lines; he served on the Rapid City Board of Education for eleven years.

In 1965, the name was changed to the National College of Business. In 1997, the name changed again to National American University, which now has accredited associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and other certificate programs. It operates mainly online as a private for-profit university.

Scope and Contents

This small collection consists of materials intended to recruit young people into the program and provide insight into the working world of the 1950s. It includes a booklet for women highlighting the opportunities available to them (e.g., stenographer, teacher, bookkeeper, nurse); the training needed; and the future outlook for those jobs.

"Just a Bit of Good Sense" is a leaflet promoting the school to prospective students (e.g., "The Only Midwest Business School Completely Modern and Air Conditioned.") It includes a printed blank registration form for advance registrations. Memoranda from the Employment Department for prospective students highlight the school's placement services with a list of real students and the jobs they secured.

"For You... A Graduation Gift to Treasure Always with Congratulations from Your Lane Dealer," Altavista, Virgina: The Lane Co., Inc. is an illustrated advertising poster (9 x 6 in.) with an image of a smiling female graduate on the front holding a diploma. It promotes a line of cedar hope chests to young women with illustrations of each chest with pricing and brief descriptions.

"Your Tomorrow" is a twenty-four-page promotional booklet for the school highlighting career opportunities for young people. Topics include: different jobs and career paths; income and advancement; working in civil service; the importance of specialized and niche training; diploma courses at the school and subjects offered, ranging from accounting to typing; advantages of office work; placement services for students; and enrollment requirements.

"Careers in Business for Young Women" is an eight-page guide for prospective students about opportunities for women in business, highlighting the following subjects: advantages of office work; what entry-level positions are available; average salaries; top positions; personal qualities and training required; and future outlook. It includes a list of women in business to emulate, such as Elizabeth Arden and Mary Dillon.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.

Language of Materials

English

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
National School of Business promotional materials
Author:
Laurie Sather
Date:
2025
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400