Rice University Archives. Dean of Architecture Records (O. Jack Mitchell)

O. Jack Mitchell (1931-1992) was a nationally recognized architectural expert and served as Dean of the School of Architecture at Rice University for eleven years (1978-1989), greatly exapnding the school's community involvement. Before he was named Dean, he was a professor of Architecture at Rice (1966-1992) and Director of the School of Architecture (1974-1978) as well. As Director, he helped create and lead the Rice Center for Community Design and Research and the Rice Design Alliance, under the then Dean of Architecture, David Crane.

Mitchell received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Washington University and his Master of City Planning and Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to being a professor at Rice, he was also an Assistant Professor of Architecture at Texas A and M University from 1957-1959. He lectured at Auburn University, the University of Arkansas, Texas A and M , Louisiana State University, and the University of Houston. Mitchell published many articles and was associated with several architectural firms in Houston. Mitchell was a fellow of the American Institute of Architects (1979) and served as a board chairman of the South Main Center Association.