While in Charlotte, he directed the Charlotte Little Theater Workshop. While a journalism professor at UNC, Spearman received Tanner and Valkyrie awards for teaching. He taught until 1978, when he retired and was appointed professor emeritus. This collection chiefly documents the work of Walter S. Spearman as a journalist, educator, and writer. Correspondence consists chiefly of letters from former journalism students of Spearman's, from writers of works he had reviewed, and from fellow journalists.
Writings consist chiefly of stories, plays, speeches, and fragments of stories.
Subject files consist chiefly of material collected by Spearman for use in journalism classes and writing workshops. The subject files retain many of the titles assigned to them by Spearman. Correspondence Series 2. Writings Series 3. Subject Files Series 4.