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Correspondence, forms, and documents regarding Dr. and Mrs. Mortvedt’s Social Security.

Inventory of property for insurance purposes and materials regarding a shawl Dr. Mortvedt acquired while studying abroad. The shawl was given to the Seattle Art Museum and materials in this file include correspondence, appraisals, and newspaper clippings.

Correspondence during Dr. Mortvedt's time at the University of Kansas City (UKC) concerning editorials written by Dr. Mortvedt, faculty employment, administrative questions, speakers at UKC, and Dr. Mortvedt's role as acting President. Letters are from the mayor of Kansas City, faculty, president Decker, other university administrators, and friends. There are also copies of letters sent by Dr. Mortvedt during this time period.

During his trip to Scandinavia in 1950, Dr. Mortvedt wrote many articles about his experiences and the culture: "The Marshall Plan Really Works in Denmark", "Oslo Celebrates Independence Day and The Nine-Hundredth Anniversary of the City", "Colony Gardens in Denmark and Norway", "The Lighter Side of Traveling in Scandinavia", "ECA program in Sweden", "The Midsummer Festival at Leksand, Dalecarlia, Sweden", "The Fourth of July in Oslo, Norway", "Midsummer Festival at Leksand, Sweden", "Norway Tries to Come Back", "ECA Program in Norway", and "A Recipe for Jaded Appetites in Kansas City". In addition to the typed essays, there are also the clippings from the Kansas City newspapers in which they appeared.

The correspondence in this file focuses on the scandal at UKC resulting from president Decker's misrepresentation of facts about the university. The resulting conflict between president Decker and Dr. Mortvedt drew in many other members of the faculty, the students, and the Board of Regents. Most of the letters are supportive and Dr. Mortvedt's responses to these letters are included. A few venture criticism or regret of Dr. Mortvedt's actions. Also included are letters regarding Dr. Mortvedt's search for future positions. At the end of the file, there are a few letters regarding president Decker's post-UKC employment and his effect on that working environment.

Speeches delivered by Mortvedt throughout 1943-1952: bound and printed copy of “A Design for Higher Education by the Churches” (Honors Day Address on May 9, 1944), "Advising at the University of Kansas City" (1943), "Problems in Advising" (1943, Faculty Address), "The Dollar Value of the University of Kansas City", "Problem or Answer" (1948), "Tribute to Dr. Victor Spong" (1949), Address of Welcome: Second Annual History Conference" (1951), "I Remember and I Hope" (1951),"Admission of Negroes to the University of Kansas City (1951), "Tribute to Mr. S.C. Thompson", "Welcome to New Students" (1952), "As Simple As That", "The Twentieth Year of the University of Kansas City” (Radio Address deliver on WDAF).

Reports to President Decker from Dr. Mortvedt and other faculty and staff members about the state of the university and various programs, staff members, and offices within it. Major concerns include enrollment, curriculum development, tuition, and student work-study.

Information related to Dr. Mortvedt’s Ph.D. thesis on Thomas Morton. This file contains a summary of theses from Harvard (1934), summaries of Mortvedt’s dissertation entitled “Thomas Morton: His Life and Works” (in published and original form), and an essay entitled “The Dramatic Works of Thomas Morton.

Correspondence occurring after Dr. Mortvedt had finished graduate school while he was teaching at various colleges (St. Olaf, Stephens). Letters are about students being considered for college and Dr. Mortvedt’s resignation from and appointments to positions at different colleges. Correspondence includes letters from Dr. Preus, L.W. Boe, A.O. Mortvedt, friends, co-workers, and letters Dr. Mortvedt sent in response.

Reports from president Decker to UKC Board of Trustees, between Dr. Mortvedt and members of the Board of Trustees, letters to Board of Trustees from members of the academic and local community, memos to the faculty, and a definition of the vice president's authority. Also included are the documents regarding the UKC scandal/crisis: letter of resignation from Dr. Mortvedt, correspondence with the board, correspondence between Dr. Decker and the Board, letter of termination from President Decker to Dr. Mortvedt, letters from alumni to the Board, statement made by Dr. Mortvedt regarding the events, a study of problems confronting university made by a temporary committee of alumni, an Interim Report made by president Decker to the Board, and Dr. Mortvedt's response.