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Paul E. Bragdon presidential records

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

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the papers of Paul E. Bragdon, president of Reed College from 1971-1988. The papers include speeches, publications, memos, reports, community memoranda, news clippings, correspondence, and some biographical information. Also included are files on admissions, financial aid (particularly regarding the Solomon Amendment), facility and departmental development, policy revision, and information about organizations on the local, state, and international level.

Dates

  • Creation: 1971-1988 (based upon dates of presidency)

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is closed.

Biographical / Historical

Paul E. Bragdon served as Reed’s president from 1971 to 1988. Born on April 19, 1927 in Portland, Maine, Bragdon served in the Marine Corps before receiving a B.A. from Amherst College (1950), and a J.D. from Yale Law School (1953).

Bragdon practiced law in New York City, and was involved in New York City legislative government. He served as the Vice President for Public Affairs at New York University from 1967 to 1971 before assuming the presidency of Reed.

During his time at Reed, Bragdon greatly increased the college’s endowment and focused on curricular development and facility construction. During his tenure, Spanish was accorded with departmental status, Senior Symposium was reinstated as an elective, and Vollum College Center, the studio art building, and the Cooley Gallery were constructed.

After leaving Reed, Bragdon took up the presidential office at the Medical Research Foundation of Oregon, then at the Oregon Graduate School of Science and Technology. Upon retirement, he served as chair of the Library Foundation, and was the Interim President of Lewis & Clark College from 2004 to 2005. He received honorary degrees from Reed College, Amherst College, Whitman College, Lewis & Clark College, and Pacific University, as well as recognition from other higher education, civic, and non-profit organizations.

Bragdon was married to Nancy E. Horton and had three children.

[Information from the “Presidents of Reed” page on Reed’s website.]

Extent

20 Linear Feet (49 manuscript boxes.)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The collection contains the papers of Paul E. Bragdon from his presidency at Reed College from 1971 to 1988.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Physical Location

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

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Unknown. Transferred pre-1989. "Correspondence, Miscellaneous" folder added to collection by Isabel Lyndon, July 2019.

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