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Rice University Assistant to the President papers: Carl MacDowell

 Collection
Identifier: UA 0084
Finding aid note: Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

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

  • 1963 - 2001
  • 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

Additional Description

Overview

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.

Subjects

Record Groups

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

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

Repository Details

Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository

https://library.rice.edu/woodson
Contact:
Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston Texas 77005 USA

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Harmful Content Statement
© 2023 Woodson Research Center
Fondren Library, Rice University
Physical Address: 6100 Main, Houston, Texas 77005-1827
Mailing Address: MS-44, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251-1892