Items of Interest
Explore this curated collection of videos, notable correspondences, letters, and awards from the life of Alex F. Osborn.
University of Buffalo Chancellor’s Medal
Osborn received the University of Buffalo Chancellor's Medal in 1960. In awarding the Chancellor’s Medal, University of Buffalo President Furnas observed with reference to Osborn’s dedication to creative education, “His years of devotion to this cause are leading untold numbers of men and women to better and fuller lives.”
The University at Buffalo Chancellor's Medal is the university's highest honor, awarded to someone who has made a significant contribution to the community or the university. It recognizes achievements that have a lasting, positive impact on others.
Parnes-Osborn Letters
Osborn and Parnes met at the first Creative Problem Solving Institute and began a collaboration thereafter. The two became close collaborators on research and writing projects, conference organizing, and improvements to the Creative Problem Solving model. On top of this, they had a close persona
l friendship. Most significantly, Parnes brought Osborn’s dream of a creativity education program to reality at Buffalo State College in 1967, one year after Osborn’s death.
This endearing exchange of quotes gives some insight into their friendship and mutual passion for creativity.
Notable Correspondance
That Alex Osborn was a “big-shot” (though a reluctant one) is evidenced by his correspondence with such high-powered people as Henry Ford II, Earl Warren (Governor of California and later Chief Justice of the Supreme Court), Richard Nixon (during his Vice Presidency to Lyndon B. Johnson), and President Herbert Hoover.
Herbert Hoover Letter on Unemployment
Osborn was extremely active in the fight against unemployment during the Great Depression. He drafted plans to address unemployment in Buffalo that gained nationwide recognition, which he summarizes in this letter to President Herbert Hoover. In May of 1931 Osborn met for 15 minutes with President Hoover in Washington to discuss his proposals.
YMCA Vocational Analysis
Before employment at the YMCA, Osborn was required to undergo a “Vocational Analysis.” Osborn is 23.
Intellectual Characteristics:
Brain Quality: First class
Points of Weakness: Too impulsive- by fits and starts
Moral Characteristics:
Points of Weakness: Bohemian
Most Striking Characteristic: Original
Do you sing? Yes
Do you play an instrument? Piano
Do you have self- confidence? Yes
Do you have patience? Yes
Are you inclined to be lazy? No
Do you act impulsively? No
Do you make friends easily? Fairly
Are you sensitive? No
Are you inclined to think yourself misunderstood? Hardly
Do you consider yourself absolutely honest? Yes
What life work do you think you would prefer? Advertising
Indicate the different occupations you have followed.
Occupation How Long In It How did you like it?
Newspaper ½ year Fine
Statistician ½ year Not at all
Advertising 1 ½ years Great
Do you aspire to be an employer of men? Of Course.
Key Career Decision Letter
At 23 (1911), Osborn wrote this letter to his father seeking advice on a key career decision. He wrestles with the decision to take the safer route and accept a position of Sales and Advertising Manager with Hard Manufacturing Company or to take the riskier path in advertising with the Matthews-Northrup Company. This underscores his attraction to advertising, a field in which he would make a significant contribution.
This I Believe Interview
Alex Osborn on This I Believe, a CBS radio show hosted by famous American broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow. The series ran from 1951-1955, asking its guests to share on air a short essay summarizing their most important beliefs and philosophies on life. This show was broadcast in August of 1955.
