| An Iconographic
Chronicle |
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| 1994: Wayne's First Day (almost) |
1995: Participating in the Archives' Self Study, with outside consultants
Elisabeth Yakel and David Klassen |
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1996: Paul and Wayne help Joshua Ericksen move the
Archives' film collection |
1997: Staff picture, with Mr. Roboto front and center |
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1998: With a researcher who he, Wayne, had taught
as a teenager during Wayne's thirty years as a teacher in the Chicago
public schools |
1999: On the roof of the Billy Graham Center building |
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1999: Explaining to Irene Wong how new additions
to the Archives are accessioned. Irene was working at the Archives as
part of a 6 month internship to learn archival administration |
2000: Measuring his new office when he was promoted to reference archivist |
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2000: Rearranging the Reading Room |
2000: Conferring with Dr. Charles Weber (no relation)
about the presentation Wayne would make
to the Asian History class |
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2000: Receiving an award from Wheaton College president,
Dr. Duane
Litfin (We were all a little blurry that day)
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2000: Hawaiian Shirt Day at the Archives |
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2001: Wayne and Christian share some archival humor |
2001: Teaching a class in the old Reading Room |
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2002: Welcoming the new staff refrigerator |
2002: The Ericksens and the Webers at the Archives'
Spring Thing at Comisky Park in Chicago |
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2002: Making a point |
2002: Lecturing about genealogical resources in
the BGC Archives |
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2003: Showing some of the Archives documents to
a class from a local high school |
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2004: The Archival Monopoly tournament |
2004: Busy day in the Reading Room |
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2004: With the scrapbook of a missionary to the
Belgian Congo. Wayne has just encapsulated the pages of the book with
plastic, for their protection. |
2005:Talking to a group of local home schooled students
about the Archives, including introducing them to Robert Carlson, a
missionary who grew up in Tibet |
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2006: Presiding over the temporary reading Room
set up on the 4th floor, while the 3rd floor RR was being renovated. |
2007: Assisting a couple that had come to the Archives
to find out more about her ancestors. |
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2008: Arranging and describing a collection in his
office |
2008: Arranging with Noel to send out archival microfilm
on interlibrary loan to a researcher |
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2009: Teaching a class in Archival Seminar Room |
2009: Explaining archival documents to members of
a visiting seniors group |
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At his post |
| Words From People He Has Helped |
A. Messages sent to the
Archives by people who heard about Wayne's retirement
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Wayne started out as office manager for the BGC Archives and this year
moved up to the position of Reference Archivist. What a great guy he is
and how thankful we are God brought this professional educator and dauntless
amateur genealogist to our department. Thirty years as a public school
teacher did not wear him out, it just wound him up. And every day at the
Archives we benefit from his dedication, his humor, his insight and his
goodness. He is the model of a Christian gentleman (and he plays a mean
game of miniature golf). Comment from the BGC Archives director
to accompany Wayne's 2000 Five year Service Award from Wheaton College
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I had the privilege of working with Wayne a couple of years ago. That
experience was a real blessing. Not only did Wayne handle my request in
a highly professional manner, he also treated me wonderfully. I've worked
with many stock footage and photography libraries and archives throughout
my career and I can honestly say that I have never had a better experience
than working with Wayne and the staff of the Billy Graham Center Archives.
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Dear Wayne:
We are sorry for, happy for you, that you decided to hang up your
archivist's guns. We will miss you! But we also know the Lord has wide
green pastures for the years ahead. Blessings my friend. -
Dr. Grant Wacker
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Dear Wayne, One of the highlights of my visit to the Billy
Graham Center Archives on two different occasions was having the opportunity
to meet you. As you recall, my Chinese scholar friend and I would frequent
the archival center every day as she did her month-long research. I
discovered quickly, you were not just a reference archivist but a true
ambassador to the Center. Gracing the threshold of the archival room
first thing every morning, we were not only greeted by someone who had
invaluable experience and knowledge but one who truly served with a
loving and gracious spirit. This I will always remember. Wishing
you God's best in this next phase of our life. You certainly make the
positive difference in everything you do.
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Wayne's patience and good cheer were inexhaustible, even in the face of
irksome researcher faux pas...for example, there was the time when I requested
every issue of the Wheaton Record from 1940 forward, all at once. That
didn't perturb him in the slightest. Wayne is a researcher's dream archivist:
deeply, encyclopedically knowledgeable about the collections, always happy
to be interrupted with a silly question about a finding aid, brilliant
at feigning interest in our boring, esoteric projects, and even ready
with suggestions for where to grab lunch. He is one of the most thoughtful
people I've had the pleasure to work with. He also struck me as the strong,
silent, mysterious type--I sometimes wondered if he was secretly a masked
superhero at night. It was a pleasure to see him every morning when I
clocked in at the BGC, and I will miss him!
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I've found all of the people at the BGCA very helpful and pleasant, but
Wayne especially so. Several times he has gone the extra mile to provide
me crucial information and even to provide ideas that I would not have
thought of. My research has directly benefited from his help. Thanks,
Wayne, for all you've done. - Jay Learned
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I have very fond memories of my visit to the archives and of the impeccable
service rendered to me by Wayne. Not only did he possess the skills necessary
to make the practical work of a researcher go smoothly he also possessed
great knowledge of the archives. More than once he was able to shed light
and make connections that I would have been otherwise ignorant of. If
one has any doubts about what grace grounded in the everyday might look
like, I suggest shadow Wayne for a day.
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I would just like to say that Wayne was the first person that I met in
the BGC Archives Dept. and he was most helpful...first of all helping
'a bush missionary from Africa' open the locker for putting in my coat
and purse! He had a terrific knowledge of what was in the Archives related
to the subject I was researching. I had tried to do my homework and know
which folders I wanted to look at, but he had also done homework (which
I don't expect was assigned to him) and pointed me toward more information
that was helpful. Along with the education about how to handle the documents,
he also taught me how to scan and email the documents to myself....at
no extra cost to me. I felt that he went beyond the call of duty, helping
me, and I really appreciated it all. So much so that I felt encouraged
to return for further reading and copying. The BGC Archives Reading Room
was a very friendly, helpful atmosphere, especially for those of us who
are not really scholars nor up-to-date on modern technology. Thank you,
Wayne.
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Wayne is the kind of person who achieves the highest standards of excellence
is his work. I contacted his office for information concerning Billy Graham's
relationship to Martin Luther King, Jr., and was surprised at how quickly
he responded. He was a great help to me, and I am sure that he will be
greatly missed by others with whom he worked at the Billy Graham Center
Archives. What a great guy! Thanks and God bless! - Professor
Lewis V. Baldwin, Vanderbilt University
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I enjoyed my visits to the Billy Graham Center Archives in part because
Wayne Weber was such a gracious presence. Wayne always provided a warm
welcome, as well as professional assistance in finding the resources I
needed to complete my research. I know Wayne will enjoy retirement, but
I'll miss him the next time I visit.
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On my first trip to the Billy Graham Center Archives, Wayne was out of
town on vacation... except for the last day I was there. It was a Saturday,
and I remember thinking, "Poor guy. He's been on vacation and then
has to come back to work on Saturday. I bet he's going to be grouchy!"
Boy was I wrong. Wayne was upbeat and super helpful in getting me the
materials I needed. In addition, I had some trouble getting the copier
to do what I wanted with some odd-shaped material. Wayne noticed I was
having trouble and, coming over without me asking, helped out. I became
suspicious that he was that kind of guy: friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.
My second trip to the archives only confirmed my suspicion. - Miles
Mullin
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TO WAYNE: Many thanks to you, Wayne Weber, Reference Archivist at the
Billy Graham Center Archives at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois. Thank
you for your generous gift of time and expertise and attention to detail.
I wish for you God's Best and a joyous retirement to whatever endeavor
God has called you to. Sorting, choosing and filing information is not
an easy task. Your expertise is most appreciated. I so very much appreciate
reading histories of missionaries and pastors who have pioneered in taking
the Gospel to the unreached peoples of this planet. Thank you and may
God bless you richly.
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Thanks, Wayne, for making special arrangements so I could hear the archived
audio recording at home, as I am disabled and cannot travel. Your help
made a huge difference in the writing of my book. Best of luck to you!
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I want to add my voice to the enthusiasm for Wayne's wonderful presence
at the Archives. I've spent quite a few long days there (about 3 weeks
total) and Wayne has been a great resource: he is wonderfully helpful,
enthusiastic about the research, and also just a great person to have
around. When I'm spending an entire day, essentially alone with my documents,
Wayne has been willing to listen to me quote from letters, tell him stories
from what I'm finding, and generally just provide a collegial ear. He's
very knowledgeable in his own right, and has been a real treasure to me
when I've been there. To Wayne: My sincere gratitude and fond appreciation,
and all best wishes for your retirement. Have a great time!
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Thank you so much for the help you've been to us at AIM through the years.
I'm always so impressed with the quality of service and the helpful attitudes
of you and the others there at the archive. May God richly bless you as
you move into retirement. With appreciation, Andy Hornberger,
Public Relations Supervisor, Africa Inland Mission
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Wayne made it a point to introduce himself to me during my time as a researcher
at the archives. His generous offers to help in any way he could made
my experience a most pleasant one. I'm happy to both congratulate him
on his retirement and celebrate his extraordinary work.
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I will always remember Wayne's kindness on a story I was researching on
the life of Elizabeth Reifsnyder from Liverpool Pa who was a missionary
to the Republic of China. He went out of his road to help me with information.
I wish the best life has to offer to you Wayne! May God grant you a lifetime
of happiness and joy! You have touched so many lives! God Bless You Always!
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Dear Wayne Weber,
Several years ago I e-mailed you on the off-chance that you might be able
to tell me something about an obscure 1907 pamphlet written by an equally
obscure minister who happened to be married at the time to a woman, Sara
Bard Field, who later became a suffragist and a well-known poet, and whose
biography I was writing. You not only found the booklet but
to my astonishment sent me a complete photocopy of it, pointing out that
it contained, among other interesting items, a poem by Sara Bard Field.
The earliest she ever published, it told me a great deal about her life
and artistic and intellectual development at the time.
I know that I wrote to you at the time to express my astonishment
and delight at your find, and I want to thank you again now. You could
just have replied, "Yes, we have the booklet; let me know if you
want a photocopy"--and I might have thought, Oh, dear, I wonder
if it¹s worth it? I have so many other documents to keep track
of, and this is pretty obscure, so maybe I shouldn¹t bother"
But you were too curious to take the easy route and let it go at that.
No one knows better than an independent scholar how vital this
kind of scholarly enthusiasm is in the process of digging up the past
in order to bring it to life in the present. So thank you once again
for your curiosity and generosity‹and may you remember from time
to time, in what I¹m sure will be an active and productive retirement,
that there are legions of complete strangers toiling away out there
and feeling grateful to colleagues and fellow detectives like Wayne
Weber. - Dona Munker
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I made contact with yourselves as I am a direct descendant of the Rev
Matthew Wilks- I knew also that you had some of his writings- the Wilks
-or a part of the family- if you go down down a couple of generations
were also living in America- I believe by then they were bankers but certainly
one Wilks married a Hetty Green-one of America's richest women and another
married a Langdon whose mother was an Astor- anyway I show below the correspondence
between myself and Wayne- do please pass on my very best wishes, also
my gratitude for his very kind and most prompt help- what a gentleman.
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I worked closely with Wayne Weber during several visits to the Billy Graham
Archives and also worked with him in acquiring important pictures for
my book. I found him at all times to be helpful, courteous, and highly
knowledgeable. He certainly made an important contribution to my book.
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Wayne was a tremendous help to me during my research time in the Archives.
He had pulled all the information that I asked for ahead of time and had
it ready when I arrived from Virginia. His dedication and knowledge made
what would have been a Herculean task manageable and even fun.
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| B. Select letters and e-mails
from past years |
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April 2000 Dear Mr. Weber: Many thanks for replying to my request
in regards to Reverend Graham. The information you sent has enabled me
to find exactly what I was looking for. Once again, thank you for your
kindness.
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October 2001 I'm writing somewhat belatedly to thank you for your
help during my visit to the Billy Graham Archives. I found Ms. Vandevort's
letters waiting for me when I arrived, and I was able to read and photocopy
what I needed for our project. The reference librarian on duty that day,
Mr. Wayne Weber, was exceptionally helpful.
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February 2004 Thank you very much for the information program you
presented to our group on January 8. Our members now have a much better
understanding of what resources are locally available to them at the Billy
Graham Center Archives and will put this knowledge to good use. From
a local genealogical society to which Wayne had spoken
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April 2007 Thank you so much for the "treasure box" full
of memorabilia/historic stuff. What fun and blessings it has been to dig
through all of the papers, photos, etc. I continue to be amazed at the
breadth of their ministry as well as being made much more aware of the
Lord's hand on them during the intensity of their travels and meetings.
It was only by the grace of God that they were able to keep up the pace.
Thank you so much for providing so much information for my family and
others who will benefit from reading about their dedication to the Lord.
We appreciate your diligence and proficiency in preparing this little
bit of history. - Message from the daughter of a man whose
papers Wayne had arranged and described, after he had sent some duplicate
material to her.
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April 2007 Dear Wayne D. Weber: How can I thank you enough for the
information you have researched and sent to me? And you even have typed
out the words to the hymn: A Missionary Cry ! I do treasure all the information
you have sent and will share it with friends. My sincere thank you for
all your efforts. I really appreciate this more than I can say. E-mail
from researcher who was looking for the lyrics to the hymn. Wayne not
only found the lyrics but also the print music.
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October 2008 Thank you so much!! This is exactly what I was looking
for!! Yippeee!!! From a researcher who asked for a copy of
a hymn by Oswald J. Smith he had been searching for.
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November 2008 Mr. Weber, Just a week ago I made a very short visit
to the archives. I think it was just an hour. Yet with your help I managed
to collect some very important documents for my research. I'm still amazed
by the quality of service you gave me, albeit me crashing in from nowhere
and am truly grateful. Hope to have another chance to use you excellent
services in the future.
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February 2009 Mr. Weber, What a delight for me to receive these letters!
My brothers and several cousins will also enjoy reviewing the times in
which my father and grandfather served the Presbyterian Church. We remember
some things, but didn't ask enough questions!!...Now I have time to retrace
some history and you have been very kind and warmed my heart. God bless
you!
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