Vernon J. Ehlers Collection, 1955-2010 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Printer-friendly |

Collection Overview

Title: Vernon J. Ehlers Collection, 1955-2010

ID: COLL/525

Primary Creator: Vernon James Ehlers (1934-2017)

Extent: 93.0 Boxes

Arrangement: Folder level description

Abstract

Professor of physics at Calvin College; and a politician (Kent County Board Commissioner, State Representative, State Senator, and Federal Congressman). The collection details Ehlers’ political career including committee service and bills sponsored/co-sponsored, plus his earlier academic career. The collection includes biographical data, resolutions, reports, news releases, memorandums, correspondence, notes, speeches, bills, proclamations, acts, concept papers, house statements, articles, remarks, political campaign material, testimonies, debates, awards, papers, interviews, handouts, studies, appointment books/cards/lists/schedules/sheets, news clippings, videos, cassettes, DVDs, posters, photographs, and artifacts.

Biographical Note

Vernon James Ehlers is the youngest of the four children of Rev. John William Christian and Alice Cornelia (née Doorn) Ehlers, born on 6 Feb 1934 in Pipestone, MN. He suffered from severe asthma as a child and as a consequence was unable to attend school. He was home- and self-schooled and received a diploma from Edgerton (MN) Christian School and did his high school work via correspondence. He attended Calvin College, 1952-1955; and the University of California, Berkeley, from which he received an AB in 1956 and a PhD in 1960; his doctoral dissertation was “The Nuclear Spins and Moments of Several Radioactive Gallium Isotopes.”

He taught and conducted scientific research at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, 1956-1966, and joined the Physics Department of Calvin College in 1966, ultimately serving as department chair. He was a member of the Faculty Organization Study Committee (FOSCO), 1968-1977, that developed a new faculty governance system for the college, whose enrollment had grown from 500 in 1945 to 3,200 when Ehlers joined the faculty. He left the college faculty in 1983 to serve in the Michigan Legislature.

Ehlers was elected to the Kent County Board of Commissioners, 1975-1983; the Michigan House of Representatives, 1983-1985; and the Michigan Senate, 1985-1993. In 1993 he won a special election in Michigan’s 5^th District (later 3^rd), after the death of former fellow faculty member Congress Member Paul B. Henry (Coll. 357) and won a full term in 1994, and subsequent elections, serving until 2011.

Ehlers married Johanna Meulink on 14 Jun 1958; they have four children: Heidi, Brian, Marla, and Todd. The Ehlers were founding members of Faith Fellowship Christian Reformed Church, Walnut Creek, CA, in 1961.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Personal, 1955-2010],
[Series 2: Student Years, 1955-1960],
[Series 3: Post Graduate Correspondence, 1960-1967],
[Series 4: Research, 1962-1968],
[Series 5: Class Lectures, 1967-1979],
[Series 6: Student Evaluations, 1979-1982, n.d.],
[Series 7: Calvin College Faculty, 1963-1983],
[Series 8: Kent County Board of Commissioners, 1878-1982],
[Series 9: Michigan House of Representatives and Senate, 1982-1993],
[Series 10: United States Congress, 1993-2012],
[Series 11: United States Congress, 1993-2012],
[Series 12: Election campaigns],
[Series 13: Legislation],
[Series 14: Reference material],
[Series 15: Invitations],
[Series 16: Awards and Honors],
[Series 17: Subject files],
[Series 18: Photographs],
[Series 19: Media Relations],
[Series 20: Ehlers' Campaigns],
[Series 21: Constituent Gifts],
[Series 22: Aeronautics and Aerospace],
[Series 23: Plaques and Awards],
[Series 24: Certificates],
[Series 25: Photographs],
[Series 26: Republican Party],
[Series 27: Buttons, Decals, Patches, Memorabilia],
[Series 28: Legislation],
[Series 29: Miscellaneous],
[All]

Series 17: Subject files

Box 70

Folder 1: National Prayer Breakfasts --- 1994-1995
Folder 2: Johanna Ehlers Items
Folder 3: Original Signatures
Folder 4: Jokes and Adages (various sources)
Folder 5: Flight Certificate -Air Force One with G. W. Bush
Folder 6: Congress for Students --- undated
Folder 7: Bach Festival Poster --- undated
Folder 8: Vern's Goals --- 1999, 2001
Folder 9: Staff Retreat --- 1992
Folder 10: Aspen Summit -Cyberspace and the American Dream --- 1995
Folder 11: Co. Sponsorship Drinking Water Legislation --- 1995
Folder 12: H.J. Resolution -Flag Protection (Ehlers opposed) --- 1995
Folder 13: AAAS 1996 Science and Technology Yearbook -Chapter on Congressional Perspectives on Science and Technology Issues for FY --- 1997
Folder 14: "Adoption Decree" (as our leader) -Calvin Christian 6th Grade Class --- 1997
Folder 15: Congressional Information Technology (Cyber Congress) --- 1997
Folder 16: President Bill Clinton Impeachment --- 1998
Folder 17: DC Staff Memos --- 1998-1999
Folder 18: President Ford -Congressional Gold Medal --- 1999
Folder 19: Governor John Engler Inauguration --- 1999
Folder 20: Pastoral Prayer at Eastern Avenue CRC --- December 30, 2000
Folder 21: Congressional Picture Directory --- 1999
Folder 22: Congressional Picture Directory (107th Congress)

Vault 1

Item 1: Original Signature -Gerald Ford

Box 71

Folder 1: Highlights of Accomplishments and Results -George W. Bush --- 2001-2009
Folder 2: Announcement to Run for Re-election --- May 6, 2002
Folder 3: Involvement with Local Schools --- 2002
Folder 4: Ripon Forum Interview with V.J.E. -Creating a Better Curriculum --- 2002
Folder 5: ETS Staff Memos --- 2003
Folder 6: George Bush -State of the Union --- 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008
Folder 7: Ribbon Cuttings -Paul B. Henry Freeway and Rapid International Terminal --- 2004
Folder 8: President G. W. Bush -Calvin Commencement --- 2005
Folder 9: John Dingell Tribute (Autographed) --- 2005
Folder 10: Items for Chairman House Administration Committee --- 2006
Folder 11: ETS Staff Memos --- 2006
Folder 12: Grand Rapids Press -Editorial on V.J.E. Chairman of House Administration Committee --- Jan 2006
Folder 13: Iraq War Opposition --- 2007
Folder 14: Funeral Service Program for President Gerald Ford --- January 3, 2007
Folder 15: Gerald Ford (2007) and Betty Ford (2011) Funerals
Folder 16: Certificate of Proclamation Libraries --- 2008
Folder 17: National Prayer Breakfasts ] --- 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010
Folder 18: Certificate of Completion of Private Pilot Ground School --- 2010
Folder 19: Retirement --- 2010
Folder 20: Retirement Thank You Notes and Cards --- 2010
Folder 21: Various Media Releases RE: V.J.E. Retirement Announcement --- 2010
Folder 22: Vernon J. Ehlers Amtrak Station --- 2010
Folder 23: Ribbon from Opening of Grand Rapids Amtrak Station Named for V.J.E. --- October 27, 2014