creator:

Toman, Betty LaVergne (1926 -   )

title:

Papers

dates:

1930-2003, n.d.

extent:

1.68 linear feet (4 document boxes)

collection number:

RS 10/7/51

repository:

University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

access:

Open for research

publication rights:

Consult Head, Special Collections Department

preferred citation:

Betty Toman Papers, RS 10/7/51, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

Biographical note

Betty LaVergne Toman was born June 23, 1926 in Oak Park, Illinois.  At the age of 3 she started to dance and a year later, she began dancing professionally; highlights included an appearance at the 1932 World’s Fair in Chicago, when she was 8 years old.

Professor Toman graduated from Morton High School in Cicero, Illinois. She received a B. A. (1948) in Physical Education (Dance) from the University of Wisconsin, where she studied under Margaret H’Doubler, credited as the creator of dance education.  She received her M. S. (1957) from Iowa State College (University).

The Head of the Department of Physical Education for Women, Germaine G. Guiot, brought her to Iowa State College (University), as a dance instructor (1948-1952). She was Assistant Professor (1952-1957), Associate Professor (1957-1964) and Professor and Dance Coordinator (1964-1988) in the Department of Physical Education. Professor Toman was named Distinguished Professor (1984). In 1988, she became Distinguished Emeritus Professor.

Although dance was first taught in 1928 at Iowa State, Professor Toman developed and implemented all aspects of the dance program, and accomplished her goal of creating a dance option major in the Department of Physical Education in 1966. She became synonymous with the modern dance concert Barjche (pronounced bar-shay).  Barjche’s name is from combined the first few letter of three students who presented the first concert (1944): Barbara Sgarlat Drexler, Charlotte Ann Stuart, and Jean Ringoen Williams. Under Professor Toman’s 22-year direction, Barjche evolved to utilize the talents of students in three departments: theater, dance, and music. She also was the Director of the Iowa State University Dance Tour Company, and advisor to the dancers of Stars Over VEISHEA, Iowa State University’s student-run festival theather production. She also advised Orchesis, a dance club that was originally formed in 1926 and took its current name the year Professor Toman took over as advisor (1965). Later, Professor Toman developed Orchesis II. As an additional program to the original Orchesis, it allows more students of varying dance skills to participate in a dance concert. 

Professor Toman served in leadership positions in several national organizations, including: National Dance Association (NDA); American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (AAHPER); Iowa Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (IAHPER).

Professor Toman wrote and presented extensively for professional publications and schools, and co-directed four films on movement and design.  Her major choreographic works include: Mitosis, Opus 24, Through the Ages…, The Last Dance, In the Beginning, Operation Jazz, A Motherless Child, and Dream World.

Professor Toman served on four major Iowa State University committees: Focus, 1974-1977; Public Events Committee, 1974-1988; Alvin Edgar Fund for Performing Arts, 1974-1988; and the Resident Review Committee, 1982-1988.

Professor Toman received numerous awards, including the Honor Award by the Iowa Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (IAHPER) in 1967 and Outstanding Professor by Iowa State in 1969. In 1972, the Iowa State Alumni Association awarded her with a Faculty Citation. She is also listed in both Who’s Who of American Women and Who’s Who of Women in Education.

Collection description

The collection (1930-2003, n.d.) documents Professor Toman’s professional life and includes correspondence, news clippings, published articles, and photographs.  Materials relating to dance performances at Iowa State University by student groups and guest performers are also found in the collection.

The papers include biographical material and correspondence with professional colleagues.  The range of Professor Toman’s activities is illustrated by materials relating to performances and professional writings, as well as by teaching files and files about professional organizations.

Organization

The collection is organized into eleven series:

Series 1: Biographical Material, 1931-2003, n.d. (arranged chronologically)

Series 2: Correspondence, 1948-1988, n.d. (arranged chronologically)

Series 3: Articles, Panel Discussion, Papers, Theatre Appearances, Student Essays, 1945-1995, n.d. (arranged chronologically)

Series 4: Coursework, Teaching and Related Items, 1956-1988, n.d. (arranged chronologically)

Series 5: Grants, 1972-1985, n.d. (arranged chronologically)

Series 6: Iowa State Dance Groups, 1949-1996, n.d. (arranged alphabetically)

Series 7: Professional Organizations, 1959-1989, n.d. (arranged chronologically)

Series 8: Teachers, 1945-1986, n.d. (arranged chronologically)

Series 9: Guest Performers, 1939-1986, n.d. (arranged alphabetically)

Series 10: Former Students, 1978-2002, n.d. (arranged chronologically)

Series 11: Photographs, 1930-1990, n.d. (arranged chronologically).

Series 1

Biographical Material

1931-2003, n.d.

extent:

0.36 linear feet

description:

This series contains vitae, resumes, news clippings, awards and honors, faculty improvement leave correspondence, distinguished professor application and reports, and Betty Toman Dance Studio dedication materials.

1

1

Resumes, Nominations for Honor Awards, Vitae

1966-1987

1

2

News Clippings

1962-2003, n.d.

1

3

Awards and Honors

1931-2001, n.d.

1

4

Scrapbook-Outstanding Teacher Congratulations

1969

1

5

Distinguished Professorship – Letters of Recommendation

1977

1

6

Scrapbook-Distinguished Professor Award

1984

1

7

Faculty Improvement Leave, Applications and Reports

ca. 1977-1978

1

8

Retirement – Articles, Photographs

1988

1

9

Betty Toman Dance Studio

1995

Map Case

Certificate, Very Special Arts

1986

Series 2

Correspondence

1948-1988, n.d.

extent:

0.11 linear feet

description:

This series contains correspondence with faculty, schools, and dance associations, and scholarship donors for the John Hooper Summer Dance Study and the Anna R. Toman Dance Award.

1

10

Correspondence and Thank-You Notes

1948-1979

1

11

Correspondence and Thank-You Notes 

1980-1987, n.d.

1

12

John Hooper Scholarship Award

1976-1982

1

13

Anna R. Toman Dance Award/Guest Dance Artist Fund

1974-1988, n.d.

Series 3

Articles, Panel Discussion, Papers, Theatre Appearances, Student Essays

1945-1995, n.d.

extent:

0.24 linear feet

description:

This series consists of articles, speeches, presentations, and theatre performances (including programs and a script).

2

1

Draft of Untitled Article, Untitled Paper

ca. 1945, n.d.

2

2

Program – “Opening Night”

1948

2

3

Musical Comedy: “A Hair Perhaps”

1949

2

4

Theatre – Performances, Programs

1949-1995, n.d.

2

5

Program – “Beaux Arts Ball”

1954

2

6

Essay – “Principals of Relaxation," Voc Ed 590-H

1955

2

7

Article – “Rules and Principles of Mental Hygiene”

1955

2

8

Panel Discussion – “Academic Implications of Non-verbal Learning as Related to Five Disciplines: Dance, Sculpture, Architecture, Music, Painting”

1965-1967

2

9

Article – “Dance – Physical Education’s Art Form”

1969, n.d.

2

10

Presentation -  “Let’s Join In The Dance”

1979, 1981

2

11

Presentation - “Dance – Physical Educations Own Art Form”

1981

2

12

Speech and Article - ”The Choreographic Experience”

1982-1983

2

13

Speech - “Sharing The Process”

1983

2

14

“A Guide To Curriculum Development In the Arts”

ca. 1985

2

15

Student Essay: “Movement, Art and ISU; Miss Toman’s Dedication Through and Through”

1994

2

16

Article – “Dance Is”

n.d.

2

17

Draft Copy – Untitled Speech/Paper, Subject – History of Dance at ISU

n.d.

2

18

Presentation - “Modern Dance In the United States – A Look At The Heritage”

n.d.

2

19

Speech - “Dance – A Spirit That Moves Us”

n.d.

2

20

“The Placement of Dance Administratively”

n.d.

2

21

Program – “Beaux Arts Ball”

n.d.

Series 4

Coursework, Teaching and Related Items

1956-1988, n.d.

extent:

0.23 linear feet

description:

This series contains instruction notes, correspondence, dance manuals, outlines, instructor evaluations and grading policies. 

2

24

Dance At Iowa State – Publicity, Mission Statement, Correspondence, Dance Program 5 year plan, Dance Annual Report, Course Offerings, Position Responsibilities for Dance Faculty

1971-1988, n.d.

2

25

Manuals and Grading Policies

1973-1986, n.d.

2

26

Dance 370 – Annual Reports

1982-1984, n.d.

2

27

Instructor Evaluations from Students

1984-1986, n.d.

2

28

Course Outlines

n.d.

Series 5

Grants

1972-1985, n.d.

extent:

0.03 linear feet  (2 folders)

description:

This series includes two groups: The Design Center Grants (Iowa State University Design College) and The Very Special Arts (a grant sponsored by the Governor of Iowa). The first group includes proposals, sketches, and budget costs. The latter group contains a resume, description of group, publicity and Board of Directors. 

3

1

Design Center Grants

ca. 1972-1979

3

2

Very Special Arts

1980-1985, n. d.

Series 6

Iowa State Dance Groups

1949-1996, n.d.

extent:

0.14 linear feet

description:

This series encompasses materials relating to Barjche, Orchesis I and II, and VEISHEA/Stars Over VEISHEA.  It includes articles, correspondence, progress reports, programs, and photographs.

3

3

Barjche

1951-1996, n.d.

3

4

Orchesis I & II

1972-1987, n.d.

3

5

VEISHEA/Stars Over VEISHEA

1949-1993, n.d.

Map case

Performance, Dance Posters

1971-1988, n.d.

Series 7

Professional Organizations

1959-1989, n.d.

extent:

0.23 linear feet

description:

This series consists of information and on several professional organizations.  There are reports, correspondence, minutes, and presentations in this series.

3

6

Iowa Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (IAHPER)

1959-1966

3