Rice University Assistant to the President papers: Carl MacDowell
Scope and Contents
The papers in this collection are office records from the President’s Office covering three administrations – Norman Hackerman, George Rupp and Malcolm Gillis. They are a combination of documents to and from Carl MacDowell as Assistant to the President, and in some cases the documents appear to be those directed to the acting president. Many of the later documents appeared to be those directed to Malcolm Gillis. Some of the documents preceding 1976 when MacDowell began as Assistant to the President, appear to be long-term records of agreements, contracts or financial documents retained in the president’s office during several administrations.
The majority of the records are paper documents made up of correspondence, news clippings, contracts, speeches, reports, minutes, financial documents, and other types of documents used in conducting the business of the President’s Office. There are also a few photographs, a computer disc, cassettes and a March of Dimes plaque.
In Series II On Campus-General, the files are divided into groups by administrative offices, i. e. Admissions, President, VP of Finance and Administration, etc. In some cases the titles of the offices changed over the years. References are noted where possible.
The MIT Faculty Salary surveys were not transferred as part of this collection.
Dates
- Creation: 1963 - 2001
- Creation: Majority of material found within
Conditions Governing Access
Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.
Access Restrictions
Permission to use the President’s Office Records must be obtained in writing from Mark Scheid, Assistant to the President. Legal and disciplinary files need special permission.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish from the President’s Office Records must be obtained from the President’s Office. Contact the Woodson Research Center for instructions.
Biographical Note
Carl MacDowell began working at Rice University in June 1967 and continued for 32 years. He began as assistant to William Gordon, dean of Science and Engineering. In 1976 he was chosen to become assistant to the president. His tenure in that position lasted through two presidents – Norman Hackerman (1970-85), George Rupp (1985-93) and part of a third, Malcolm Gillis (1993-2004). MacDowell was highly regarded by all who knew and worked with him. Malcolm Gillis said of MacDowell, “Carl gained the trust of generations of students, faculty, and board members, and above all, the presidents he served.” His institutional knowledge was essential to managing the school. His love of the school was always apparent. MacDowell earned the trust of everyone who worked with him and knew that he would do the best job he could.
MacDowell retired in January 2000. Mark Scheid replaced him as assistant to the president after working with him in a transitional period.
Extent
103 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The papers in this collection are office records from the Rice University President’s Office covering three administrations – Norman Hackerman, George Rupp and Malcolm Gillis. They are a combination of documents to and from Carl MacDowell as Assistant to the President, and in some cases the documents appear to be those directed to the acting president.
Acquisition Information
Transferred from the Office of the President, Rice University, 2002.
- Title
- Guide to the Rice University Assistant to the President papers: Carl MacDowell, 1963-2001 (bulk 1990-1998)
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Sharon Link
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository
Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston Texas 77005 USA
713-348-2586
woodson@rice.edu