Summary |
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| Creator: | Kuhlen, Raymond G. |
| Title: | Raymond G. Kuhlen Papers |
| Dates: | 1936 - 1969 |
| Size: | 1 box (.5 linear foot) |
| Abstract: | The Raymond G. Kuhlen Papers consist of correspondence, scholarly articles and writings, tributes and condolences from the time of his death, and other items pertaining to his personal and professional life. |
| Language: | English |
| Repository: |
University Archives, Special Collections Research Center Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600 Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/university-archives |
| Sponsor: | The processing of this collection was made possible through the generosity of Marion W. Meyer G'55. |
Biography
Raymond G. Kuhlen was a well-respected professor of psychology in Syracuse University’s School of Education and the Department of Psychology from 1940 to 1967. His work outside the classroom also garnered acclaim and acknowledgment of his expertise in the field. According to his peers, “he had all requisites of an able scholar, imaginative and dependable author, strong teacher and true scientist.”
In 1913, Raymond Gerhard Kuhlen was born in Kenton, Ohio. He attended Ohio State University in Columbus for both his undergraduate and graduate studies. He received a BS in Education in 1936, an MA in Psychology in 1937, and a PhD in Psychology in 1940. Immediately after graduation, Kuhlen moved to New York to take a teaching position at Syracuse University. He and his wife Mary Margaret quickly settled into Syracuse where they would raise their two daughters.
When he began at Syracuse University in 1940, Kuhlen was an assistant professor of education, teaching educational psychology classes. He took a leave of absence in 1944 when called to serve in World War II; however, as a clinical psychologist in the Navy, he was able to continue work in the field while stationed in California. Upon returning to Syracuse after the war, Kuhlen went back to the University where he would teach until his death. He quickly moved through the ranks of professorship, becoming a full professor of education by 1949 and remained in this position despite a name change in 1953 to professor of psychology. Each semester, he taught “Psychology of the Adolescent” and “Psychology of Adult Life,” but throughout the years he also contributed to various other educational psychology classes, seminars, studies, and aided the work of numerous graduate students.
Kuhlen taught classes on Educational and Developmental Psychology, but his own research concentrated on more specific topics such as the behavior of adolescents, perspectives on middle age, and gerontology, or the study of aging. He was well-respected in the field, and his professional resume validates it: editor of Journal of Educational Psychology, consulting editor in Psychology for the Blaisdell Publishing Company, co-director of the Research Program on Adult Age Differences in Cognitive Performance and Learning, special consultant to the Aging Program of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and director of the Developmental Psychology Training Program. He was a fellow of both the American Psychological Association and the Gerontological Society, a member of the Society for Research in Child Development as well as the American Educational Research Association, and served as president of APA's Division of Maturity and Old Age. Kuhlen authored six books, numerous articles, and contributed many chapters to other edited works. He was also part of the Syracuse Council on Aging, participated in an international gerontological congress, and was invited to be a consultant at the White House Conference on Aging.
Although his schedule was always full, neither his character nor his relationships ever suffered. His peers saw him as amiable, willing to help, and, according to Dean Harry Ganders, he embodied such characteristics as “devotion to students, firmness of friendship…[and] far ranging vision that seemed unlimited.” Many who knew him personally, worked with him, or learned from him were greatly affected by his death in 1967.
Scope and Content Note
The Raymond G. Kuhlen Papers contain a variety of materials including biographical information, clippings, correspondence, and publications by the professor. There are a total of 18 scholarly articles written throughout his career, his doctoral dissertation, and two of his books. Additionally, various biographical sources shed light on Kuhlen’s life, including his World War II service papers, tributes written after his death, newspaper clippings, personal and professional correspondence with colleagues, and several bibliographic lists.
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.
Use Restrictions
Written permission must be obtained from University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries and all relevant rights holders
before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this
collection.
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Raymond G. Kuhlen Papers,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisition Information
This collection was transferred to the Archives from the Syracuse University Library in 1987.
Processing Information
Damaging material, such as staple and paperclips, were removed. The collection was placed in acid free folders and an archival box.
Finding Aid Information
Created by: Mary Skaden
Date: 2012
Revision history: