University Times

K. Leroy Irvis, 75, former speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and a Pitt law alumnus, met last week with Chancellor J. Dennis O'Connor (left) and other University officials and friends to sign an agreement making the University Library System the official repository of more than 200,000 of his personal papers. The collection includes letters and other correspondence, speeches, bills, resolutions, photos and other official papers and memorabilia. The Irvis Papers will become the centerpiece of the K. Leroy Irvis Library, which also will include Pitt's current African American collection and related materials. Irvis's collection initially will be housed in the archives on the third floor of Hillman Library and may be moved later to the former Masonic Temple. Irvis was first elected to the state House in 1958 and elected speaker in 1977, making him the first African American to hold that position in state government. He was elected speaker again in 1983 and served until 1988. In 1966, Irvis sponsored the bill that created the state-related system of universities, which includes Pitt.