Papers (1943-1988) including manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, published works, vital records and newspaper clippings pertaining to the life of David B. Stevens.
David Boyette Stevens (1923- ) was born in Augusta, Georgia January 31, 1923. He graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Business from Chapel Hill in 1949 and in 1951 received a J.D. Doctor of Jurisprudence from the same institution. In 1955 Dr. Stevens received his 2nd professional degree from Duke University with a LL.M Master of Laws. Stevens married Willa King Horner on July 18, 1942. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens had three children, David Boyette Stevens Jr., Caroline Elizabeth Stevens, and Paul King Stevens.
In 1944 Stevens was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Force Transport Command and spent the next two years flying B-25, C-46, C-54, and C-47 aircraft in the European, North African and China-Burma-India theaters of World War II operations. After the war he worked as a commercial pilot until he resumed his education at UNC Chapel Hill. He was recalled to active duty in 1951 and served continuously with regular commission and promotions to the rank of colonel, until his retirement in 1970.
Stevens began his career at East Carolina University in December of 1970 when he accepted a job as assistant professor of business law within the School of Business. In March of 1974 he was promoted to associate professor of criminal law and social welfare legislation within the School of Allied Health and Social Work. During the same year Stevens was made attorney advisor and director of equal opportunity programs as well as given tenure for his dedication and talent. In 1981 he was made the university attorney and in 1984 was promoted once again to professor of criminal law and social welfare legislation. In October of 1982 Stevens and his wife Willa established a $10,000 endowment scholarship fund to aid undergraduates in social work and corrective services. Stevens retired from ECU in 1988. He was also active in the Greenville Kiwanis Club and was a member of various committees for the Pitt-Greenville Chamber of Commerce.
The papers of David B. Stevens document his military, professional and personal life. His papers include correspondence, photographs, reports, clippings, speech files and other printed materials.
The earliest correspondence consists of letters Stevens sent to his wife, Willa Stevens, during his World War II service abroad. A few of the letters were sent to Stevens' wife along with photographs and bank account statements. These items have been kept with the appropriate letters. Steven's letters describe his life and experiences abroad and his longing to be reunited with his wife once again.
Postwar correspondence files document Stevens' career at ECU and as a commercial pilot, civic interests and service, as well as contact with family and friends, including those he served with during the war. A small amount of the letters document Stevens' discussions with various political figures about state and national legislation. These figures include Walter Jones, Robert Morgan, Jesse Helms and Tom Taft. These files are arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
The bulk of the photographs relate to Stevens' involvement at local Kiwanis Club functions. Also present are a few taken of Stevens and his wife while on vacation and an autographed photograph taken of Stevens with Senator Jesse Helms and his staff.
Printed materials consist of various types of documents including reports, minutes, agendas, newsletter and clippings. The bulk of this material deals with Stevens' professional life at ECU as well as his work in professional organizations. Specifically, some of these relate to the ECU School of Social Work, Stevens' applications for tenure, the David B. Stevens and the Willa H. Stevens Scholarship Endowment, Air Force Retired Judge Advocates and the Pitt-Greenville Chamber of Commerce. Also present is documentation of a plan by the Aviation Museum Association to construct a museum at the Greenville Airport.
Speech files include Stevens' personal research and notes used for the preparation of several delivered speeches to organizations on diverse topics. These topics pertain to personnel issues, legal issues, higher education, patriotism, the military and the handicapped.
Gift of Dr. David B. Stevens
Processed by Adam Nye March 2007
Dale Sauter 2009
Encoded by Apex Data Services
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.