Abstract: Maurice B. Mitchell (1915-1996) served as the thirteenth Chancellor of the University of Denver, Denver, Colorado from 1967 to 1978. During his tenure he established the annual Publishing Institute and oversaw the construction of several buildings such as Penrose Library and the Shwayder Art Building. While he was Chancellor, Woodstock West, a student protest against the Vietnam War, was resolved. Prior to his arrival at the University, Mitchell was President of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Creator: Mitchell, Maurice B.,--1915-1996
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Biographical/Organizational History: Born in New York City on Feb. 9, 1915, Maurice Mitchell attended New York University and began his career in advertising working for the New York Times in 1935. He also served as advertising director and managing editor of the Gouverneur Tribune Press (NY). From that position, he continued working as advertising director for three upstate New York daily papers. After his service with the Army Tank Corps in World War II, Mitchell’s interest in communications turned to the electronic field. Mitchell joined the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) as manager of the Washington, D.C. Station, WTOP. In 1948, he assumed an executive position with the National Association of Broadcasters and in 1950 joined the Muzak Corporation as vice-president. His success in that post led to his selection as President of Encyclopedia Britannica Films, Inc., in 1962. Through his job at the National Association of Broadcasters, Mitchell taught several summer seminars (1948-1950) in broadcasting and communications management at the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado. He resigned in 1967 to become Chancellor of the University of Denver.
Maurice Mitchell was inaugurated Chancellor of the University of Denver on October 20, 1967. He served as the thirteenth Chancellor of the University of Denver from 1967 to 1978. He brought experience in business, education, and national affairs to the post. He served as Chancellor for eleven years, leaving in 1978 to become President of the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions, located in California. During his tenure at the University of Denver a host of new programs began, such as the annual Publishing Institute. Gifts also made several new buildings possible. The buildings constructed under his leadership include Penrose Library and the Shwayder Art Building. A noteworthy incident that occurred during his tenure was Woodstock West, a student protest against the Vietnam War. Due to his firm resolve, peace returned to campus and classes continued during the height of student protests across the United States.
He then left to work as President of the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions. Mitchell resigned from the Center when it merged with the University of California. In 1983, he became President of the Washington program at the Annenberg School of Communications. Mitchell served on the boards of many professional corporations and civic organizations including Colorado and Southern Railroad, the Federal Reserve Bank (Denver Branch), the Colorado State Historical Society, the United States Commission on Civil Rights, and the Colorado Springs Saving Bonds Committee. He received numerous awards for his hard work and dedication, including the Brotherhood Award, National Conference of Christians and Jews (1968); the George Washington Medal, Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge (1969); the Service to Mankind Award, Mile High Sertoma Club (1970); the Golden Plate Award, American Academy of Achievement (1972); and the Malcolm Glenn Wyer Award of the Adult Education Council of Metropolitan Denver (1975). He married Mary V. Rowles in 1951. They had three children, Lee, Keith, and Deborah. Mrs. Mitchell was active in the University of Denver Women’s Association, the Kent School for Girls, and several other organizations. She passed away in 1991. Maurice Mitchell died in 1996.
The collection is arranged into nine series:
+/- 1. Inaugural Memoirs, 1963.
The Inaugural Memoirs series contains 3 memoirs of Mitchell's Inauguration on October 20, 1963. Included are photographs and congratulations from various colleges and universities and appointments of their delegates to the Inaugural Ceremony
+/- 2. Office Papers, 1940-1982.
The Office Papers series contains the files of Mitchell when he was Chancellor of the University of Denver. The files include academic departments, subject files, seminars and his resignation.
+/- 3. Correspondence, 1967-1979.
The Correspondence series consists of correspondence sent and received by Mitchell.
+/- 4. Speeches, 1966-1978.
The Speeches series contains materials related to speeches Mitchell gave as Chancellor and as the President of Encyclopedia Britannica Films.
+/- 5. Newspaper Clippings, 1967-1996.
The Newspaper Clipping series consists of clippings about Mitchell's activity as Chancellor, his involvement in DU Theater productions, Colorado Commission on Civil Rights, Community Education Council, and student protests.
+/- 6. Photographs, 1957-1978.
The Photographs series consists of photos of Mitchell including portraits, awards and presentations, events and general, Nigerian visit, office, speeches and theater productions. Also included are photos of Mrs. Maurice Mitchell and her ''First Lady'' Dolls.
+/- 7. Student Protests, 1968-1970.
The Student Protests series contains materials related to the registrar's office sit-in (4/30/1968), student demands and Woodstock West. The materials have been kept in original order with notes from original file binders from Mitchell's office.
+/- 8. Scrapbooks, 1973-1976.
The Scrapbook series consists of materials related to busing issues from 1973 to 1976.
+/- 9. Kynewisboks, 1967-1977.
The Kynewisboks series consists of Mitchell's yearbooks while he was Chancellor. Each yearbook has Mitchell's name engraved on the cover.
Separated Materials:
None
Inclusive Dates: 1940-1996
Scope and Content: The Maurice B. Mitchell papers span 1940 to 1996. Mitchell served as Chancellor of the University of Denver from 1967-1978, and the bulk of the materials reflect this period. The papers contain correspondence, meeting minutes, programs, publications, speech transcripts, university student newspapers, university yearbooks, newspaper clippings, photographs, floor plans and scrapbooks.
Collection Number: M028
Size: 17 - linear feet, 17 boxes
For more information about this collection and related collections, contact:
Steve Fisher
Curator of Special Collections and Archives
303-871-3427
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