Elizabeth Topham Kennan Records, 1959-1992

Records restricted to use of office/department of origin for 25 years from date of record creation.

Return to the Table of Contents

Historical Note

Elizabeth T. Kennan was born in Philadelphia, PA. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 1960, received her M.A. from Oxford in 1962 and her PhD from the University of Washington in 1966. She served as President of Mount Holyoke from 1978-1995. During her tenure several new programs were introduced. Among them are Summer Math for high-school students, the Frances Perkins Program for non-traditional students, the Third World course requirement for graduation and the forming of the International Relations Department. Faculty salaries were increased and faculty chairs (such as the Mary E. Woolley chair) were endowed. Sabbaticals were funded and research grants awarded as part of a drive to encourage faculty scholarship. In addition, the College's endowment was more than quadrupled and the Capital Campaign for the sesquicentennial exceeded its goal, having raised $139.4 million. The Sports Complex (1985) and the Equestrian Center (1987) were two of the facilities erected during Kennan's tenure. In 1988, the Master Plan was implemented, involving the renovation of Blanchard into a student campus center; remodeling of the service building as a language learning center and an expansion of the library to incorporate Dwight Hall. A medieval historian, Kennan has written a number of articles for historical journals as well as pieces on the subject of education. She is the recipient of several honorary degrees and is on the boards of various educational committees and institutions, and corporations. During the course of her presidency she became a leading spokeswoman on issues facing private colleges and universities, and has been frequently interviewed on the case of women's colleges and women's changing role in society.

Return to the Table of Contents

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The records of Elizabeth T. Kennan include correspondence from 1959-1992, which consist of faculty appointments, letters of recommendation, etc.; writings (1972-1994) comprising published and unpublished speeches, articles, greetings to classes and related material; subject files (1977-1989), consisting of correspondence, committee records, reports, etc., on subjects of interest to the President's Office, such as the various academic and administrative departments, policy changes, new buildings, etc.; inauguration records (1978-1979), comprising correspondence, minutes, reports, financial records, certificates of congratulation and invitations; biographical material (1960-1992), including notes, clippings, press releases, interviews, etc.; and audiovisual material (1956-1994), consisting of photographs, slides, audio and videotapes of speeches by or interviews of Kennan. Correspondence by Joseph Ellis as Acting President, January-June 1984, is filed with Kennan's records.

Return to the Table of Contents