Topical
Scope and Contents
These are files maintained during the presidency of Thomas R. Tritton from July 1997 to June 2007. Unlike the files of his immediate predecessors, these seem incomplete, perhaps a reflection of the increasingly electronic form of information and communication.
There are two main series. The "Topical" files are copies of emails kept (not carefully) by Tritton. Although covering a wide range of subjects, the files on College planning and diversity are particularly abundant. Other significant files for the Provost and Senior Staff reflect on many aspects of Tritton's tenure. The Chronological series is the outgoing correspondence and memoranda files kept by his administrative assistant, with some incoming letters. The majority of this material concerns the fundraising efforts for the $200 million "Educating to Lead, Educating to Serve" campaign from 1998 to 2004. In this and throughout the Tritton papers there is much discussion of integrated learning which was realized in the construction of the Marian E. Koshland Integrated Natural Sciences Center and the Douglas B. Gardner '83 Integrated Athletic Center and the establishment of the John B. Hurford '60 Humanities Center and Center for Peace and Global Citizenship.
The Budget records were sampled as indicated in the description. The Miscellaneous material fell outside the other series and includes the 1999 Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Self-Study and 2004 periodic review of progress since 1999.
Conditions Governing Access
Permission for all access must be obtained from the College Archivist.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright restrictions may apply. Please contact the Archives with requests for copying and for authorization to publish, quote or reproduce the material.
Biographical / Historical
Thomas R. Tritton became Haverford College's twelfth President in July 1997 and served for a decade leaving in June 2007. A Quaker and a cancer research expert, Tritton came from the University of Vermont where he had been a pharmacology professor and vice provost and had oversight for computing and technology. He was also responsible for the University's performing arts and museum programs.
The hallmark of his tenure was the successful "Educating to Lead, Educating to Serve" campaign to raise $200 million. The primary goal was to raise capital and endowment funds for "Tritton's concept of integrated scholarship [which] implies the dissolution of boundaries across and between academic disciplines as well as among the various constituencies of the College." (Haverford Magazine, Fall 2006, p. 26). Two new buildings were constructed, the Marian E. Koshland Integrated Natural Sciences Center and the Douglas B. Gardner '83 Integrated Athletic Center, and two other programs were established, the John B. Hurford '60 Humanities Center and Center for Peace and Global Citizenship. Endowments for faculty support, and multicultural programs were also increased, although the original efforts to advance campus technology dropped in priority after 9/11. (Final Campaign Report, June 30, 2004, p. 64; Topical Series, Computing/IT file, 2002).
Tritton was credited with bringing Haverford "from being a 'best-kept secret' to a position where our institutional accomplishments, profile and fund-raising reflect our academic stature and tradition." (Haverford Magazine, Fall 2006, p. 26). After leaving Haverford he became the second president of the Chemical Heritage Foundation, a research center for the history of science.
Abstract
Thomas R. Tritton became Haverford College's twelfth President in July 1997 and served until June 2007. His files from his office and his administrative assistant include emails, correspondence, and memoranda, with some financial and college planning and assessment documents. There is much information on the $200 million "Educating to Lead, Educating to Serve" campaign that raised endowment and capital funds for four integrated learning centers: Marian E. Koshland Integrated Natural Sciences Center, Douglas B. Gardner '83 Integrated Athletic Center, John B. Hurford '60 Humanities Center, and Center for Peace and Global Citizenship. Endowments for faculty support, and multicultural programs were also increased. The files cover a wide range of administrative activity, but they seem incomplete, perhaps a reflection of the increasingly electronic form of information and communication.
Custodial History
Transferred from President's Office.
Physical Description
These files are primarily copies of emails with faculty, administrators, Board members, and others. The were kept by Tritton according to subject and were transferred by him at the end of his tenure in two lots. Some of the copies have his handwritten notes on them, although his writing is almost illegible.
Processing Information
These files were boxed in banded groups of papers with Tritton's note on the file name with date of transfer from his office, evidently as he was clearing out his office. There were several instances of two transfers for one file name, and these were combined into one file. The file order was created by the processor.
Processing Information
The Topical series was boxed in banded groups of papers with Tritton's note on the file name with date of transfer from his office, evidently as he was clearing out his office. There were several instances of two transfers for one file name, and these were combined into one file. The file order was created by the processor. Original order was maintained for the Chronological/Correspondence series. As noted in the catalog record, the Budget series was sampled. The Miscellaneous series was assembled from files located in different boxes.
Find It at the Library
Most of the materials in this catalog are not digitized and can only be accessed in person. Please see our website for more information about visiting or requesting repoductions from Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections Library
