Joseph M. Hendricks Collection
Scope and Contents
The Joseph M. Hendricks Collection consists of two accessions, one received from him in 2004 and the other received in 2025 from his wife and daughter. The 2004 accession is subdivided into files on people, committees, and subjects and is arranged within those subdivisions by alphabetical order. The 2025 accession was processed by Hendricks’ daughter. The collection contains articles, awards, clippings, correspondence, minutes, photographs, and other records from Hendricks’ career at Mercer, and these document numerous significant events in the University’s history during his tenure. Some files may contain personal and/or sensitive information.
Dates
- Creation: 1955 - 2015
Conditions Governing Access
Unrestricted access. All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction.
Conditions Governing Use
To quote in print, or otherwise reproduce in whole or in part in any publication, including on the World Wide Web, any material from this collection, the researcher must obtain permission from (1) the owner of the physical property and (2) the holder of the copyright. Persons wishing to quote from this collection should consult the reference archivist to determine copyright holders for information in this collection. Reproduction of any item must contain the complete citation to the original.
Biographical / Historical
Joseph Millard Hendricks was born September 10, 1934, in Talbot County near Woodland, Georgia. He earned degrees at Mercer University (B.A., 1955), Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1958), and Emory University (Ph.D., 1989). He held many roles at Mercer University between 1959 and 2002: Director of Religious Activities, Dean of Men, Dean of Students, Director of Upward Bound, General Assistant to President Rufus Harris, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs, Director of the Freshman Seminar Program, and Professor in the Departments of Christianity and Interdisciplinary Studies. He was the Columbus Roberts Professor Emeritus of Christian Social Ethics. During his 43 years at Mercer, he was often called “Papa Joe.” He was instrumental in racial integration at the university and also assumed other leadership roles in the City of Macon and in the State of Georgia. (https://www.hartsmort.com/obituaries/joseph-joe-hendricks)
Full Extent
6.25 Linear Feet (4 records center boxes and 3 full Hollinger boxes) : Paper materials in good condition
Language of Materials
English
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Joseph M. Hendricks (June 2004) and Elizabeth M. Hendricks (August 2025)
Subject
- Mercer University (Organization)
- Georgia Baptist Convention (Organization)
- Southern Baptist Convention (Organization)
- Title
- Joseph M. Hendricks Collection Finding Aid
- Author
- Susan Broome (2004), Catherine Hendricks (2025), and Daniel Williams (2026)
- Date
- 2026
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Mercer University Archives and Digital Initiatives Repository