American Indian College Launches Digital Archive

November 14, 2023

Phoenix, Arizona

Keilah Villa

Take a trip down memory lane! Dorothy Cummings Library at American Indian College has launched a digital archive that features the school’s special history. Read more about each part of the archive below and click each page name to visit!

Home Page — Learn more about the archive by starting here!

Our Founder: Alta Washburn — Learn more about the founder of the college by reading her handwritten memoirs, books, short stories, plays, tracts, and more.

Our Beginnings — Scroll through a chronological collection of the school’s history. Many of the documents were written by Alta Washburn. 

School Publications — This page includes yearbooks, The Thunderer, music albums, and student writings. If it was published by the college, you’ll find it here. 

American Indian College: A Witness to the Tribes — Read the respected and well-researched book about AIC, published in 2008 by Jim Dempsey and Dr. Joseph J. Saggio.

Photos and Videos — Over 3,000 photos and videos have already been uploaded to Flickr, AIC’s digital photo album. 

Share Your Story — The “Share Your Story: AIC History Project” is designed to capture and preserve the story of your unique experience at AIC and share it with others. Participation is currently open to alumni, current employees who have been here for 15+ years, and former employees. The first interview has been posted! Click on the interview tab to hear the special AIC story of Dr. Joseph J. Saggio.

Give to the Archive: Do you have materials related to AIC that you would like to donate to the archive? Would you like to give funds toward the collection, preservation, and digitization of important archive materials? Contact librarian Keilah Villa at [email protected] or 602-944-3335 ext. 217. 

Become an Archive Volunteer: Dorothy Cummings Library is seeking volunteers! Are you an alumni, former employee, or friend of the school? Do you have an intimate knowledge of the college’s history? Do you have a desire to share your knowledge of the school with others? Learn more and apply to be an archive volunteer here.