James L. Powell presidential records

 Collection
Identifier: CA-Powell-RSCA-ORPR-US

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the presidential files of James L. Powell, Reed College president from 1988-1991. The files contain correspondence, some personal papers, speeches, clippings, and documents relating to Reed College.

Dates

  • 1988-1991 (based upon dates of presidency)

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is closed.

Biographical / Historical

Born in Berea, Kentucky, James Lawrence Powell received his A.B. in geology from Berea College (1958) and earned a Ph.D. in geochemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1962). He was appointed President of Reed College in 1988, and stayed in office until 1991 whereupon he became the President of the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

Before coming to Reed College, Powell actively participated in a number of educational organizations. He served as President of of Franklin and Marshall College from 1983-1988, and previously worked at Oberlin College from 1962-1983 as the professor and chairman of the geology department, dean, provost, and acting president. His career also included appointments as a visiting administrator at Stanford University and a visiting scientist at Oxford University. He served on several boards of educational organizations and committees, including the National Science Board, the board of governors of the Institute for European Studies, and EDUCOM.

Powell was the recipient of several awards and honors including an L.H.D. (doctor of humane letters) degree from Tohoku Gakuin University (1986) and a Sc.D. (doctor of science) degree from Oberlin College (1983). He was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and Sigma Xi.

Powell was married to Joan Hartmann, a professor of political science and consultant for the United States Department of the Interior, and was the father of three children. He enjoyed the music of Mozart, reading biographies and mysteries, running, backpacking, and fly-fishing.

[Paraphrased mostly from "Memorandum for the Reed Community" by Richard P. Wollenberg, March 28, 1988.]

Extent

2.2 Linear Feet (5 manuscript boxes.)

Language

English

Overview

This collection contains the presidential files of James L. Powell, Reed College president from 1988-1991.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Physical Location

Archives Main Shelving (L014), Range C Section 4.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Unknown. Presumed transferred pre-1989.

Author
Maxine Calle
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Reed College Special Collections and Archives Repository

Contact:
3203 Southeast Woodstock Boulevard
Portland Oregon 97202-8199 United States