Theodore D. Segal papers, 1968-2019

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Summary

Creator:
Segal, Theodore D. (Theodore David), 1955-
Abstract:
Theodore D. Segal received his undergraduate degree from Duke in 1977. As a student, Segal began studying Black and white student activism of the 1960s and continued after he retired from practicing law. This research resulted in his book, Point of Reckoning: The Fight for Racial Justice at Duke University, published in 2021. This collection contains papers and audio recordings related to Segal's research related to student activism and his book. Materials in the collection include oral history interview transcripts and recordings, surveys, notes, and articles.
Extent:
3 Linear Feet
66.9 Gigabytes
Language:
Materials in English.
Research Center:
Duke University Archives
Collection ID:
UA.30.01.0110
University Archives Record Group:
30 -- Student and Alumni Papers and Materials
30 -- Student and Alumni Papers and Materials > 01 -- Individuals

Background

Scope and content:

Collection includes papers and audio recordings related to Segal's research on student activism and his book, Point of Reckoning: The Fight for Racial Justice at Duke University. Contains research files consisting of surveys, interview transcripts, notes, correspondence, and articles. Transcripts are largely of interviews conducted by Segal, but also include those of Stokely Carmichael's talk at Page Auditorium, the Archives Tape of Study-In, and interviews conducted by others such as Don Yannella and the Southern Oral History Program, many of which are photocopies. Collection also contains audiocassette tapes with recordings of Segal's interviews of Duke students, faculty, and administrators. Interviewees include former Duke students Brenda Armstrong, Charles Becton, Janice Williams, W. Steven Burke, David Henderson; and former administrators and faculty such as John Cell, William Griffith, Marcus Hobbs, Charles Huestis, Douglas Knight, Alan Kerckhoff, Jack Preiss, and William Clair Turner. Subjects addressed include desegregation and race relations at Duke, the experiences of African American students at Duke, systemic racism, student activism, collective bargaining, the Duke Silent Vigil, and the Allen Building Takeover.

Biographical / historical:

Theodore D. Segal received his undergraduate degree from Duke in 1977. As an undergraduate, Segal began studying Black and white student activism of the 1960s. He continued this research into graduate school at Duke as part of his master's thesis. In 1979, he left Duke and pursued a law degree at Georgetown University. He went on to have a career as a corporate lawyer and taught as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center. He served on the boards for the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, National Archives Foundation, Jewish Museum of Maryland, Children's Law Center, and the Duke University Library Advisory Board. After retiring from practicing law, Segal resumed his research on student activism. His research included interviews of students, faculty, and administrators. The participants consisted of individuals who were present at Duke during the 1960s, were among the first Black students to attend Duke, and took part in the Duke Silent Vigil and the Allen Building Takeover. This resulted in Segal's book, Point of Reckoning: The Fight for Racial Justice at Duke University, which was published by Duke University Press in 2021. In Point of Reckoning, Segal traces the arrival of the first Black students at Duke in 1963 to the Allen Building Takeover in 1969.

Sources: https://theodoresegal.com/about/, accessed February 7, 2026

https://dukeupress.edu/point-of-reckoning, accessed February 12, 2026

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2021/09/27/unfinished-business/, accessed February 12, 2026

Acquisition information:
The Theodore D. Segal papers were received by the University Archives as a gift from Theodore Segal in 2025.
Processing information:

Processed by April Blevins, March 2026

Accessions described in this collection guide: UA2025-0060

Materials originally in binders were removed from the binders and placed in archival folders.

Arrangement:

Arranged in two series: Research files (alphabetical) and Audio recordings (alphabetical).

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

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Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Access note. Some materials in this collection are original audiovisual items that need to be reformatted before use. Contact Research Services for access.

Access note. Some materials in this collection are digitized audiovisual materials that require special equipment. Contact Research Services with questions.

Terms of access:

Copyright for official university records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Theodore D. Segal papers, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1r75d