The collection consists mainly of Prof. Brooks’ grade books for his physics classes, 1910-1947, physics, philosophy, and mathematics note notes, papers in German related to his studies at the University of Berlin, other academic notes and papers, a few personal certificates and personal property of Brooks and his wife, his Alma College mementos, and a copy of his obituary. In the fall 1918 term some of the students in his physics classes are listed as members of the CMU S.A.T.C, or Student Army Training Corps. There are also some grade books of H.S. Doolitle in this collection.
Biography:
Kendall P. Brooks was born on July 4, 1876 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He earned an A.B. from Alma and a M.A. from the University of Michigan, in mathematics and physics. Brooks later did graduate studies work in Berlin, Goetingen, Chicago, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
In 1910, Brooks moved to Mount Pleasant, Michigan, to teach at Central State Teachers College, now Central Michigan University (CMU), where he taught until 1947. Eventually Professor Brooks became the Head of the departments of Physics and Mathematics. In 1938 he was named Director of Graduate Studies at CMU. On September 1, 1964 the then new CMU science building was named in Prof. Brook’s honor.
On August 29, 1899 Brooks married Gratia Dunning. Together, they had two daughters, Gratia and Elizabeth, both of whom preceded him in death.
Professor Brooks died on December 27, 1964 as the result of a car accident in Mount Pleasant. (This information is from his obituary, December 28, 1964, a copy of which is in the collection.)
