John Burch McMorran Collection
An inventory of his collection at the Syracuse University Archives
Finding aid created by: Emily Rindahl
Date: 2016
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Finding aid created by: Emily Rindahl
Date: 2016
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Summary |
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| Creator: | McMorran, John Burch. |
| Title: | John Burch McMorran Collection |
| Dates: | 1923-1960 |
| Size: | 1 box (.5 linear foot) |
| Abstract: | The John Burch McMorran Collection contains materials documenting McMorran’s 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 |
John Burch McMorran (1899-1991) was a student at Syracuse University in the class of 1922. He was born in Fine, St. Lawrence County, New York and later relocated to Syracuse, New York, where he spent his childhood and attended Central High School. McMorran graduated from Syracuse University in 1922 with a degree in civil engineering from the College of Applied Science. In addition to his studies, he was an active member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity from 1920 to 1922.
After graduation, McMorran began working for the New York State Department of Public Works, eventually being appointed superintendent. He stayed with the Department until entering the Army in 1942, where he was part of the Army Corps of Engineers, Aviation Battalion during World War II. In 1945 he was discharged from the Army and returned to his position with the Department of Public Works until 1947. He then took a position with the State Power Authority and became their chief engineer. In this position, McMorran had an active role in the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Niagara Power project. Later in his career he became the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation, a position which allowed him to contribute to the design and construction of the New York State Thruway and Northway highway systems.
In 1960, McMorran received the George Arents Pioneer Medal, the highest honor Syracuse University bestows upon its alumni, for excellence in engineering. He also went on to fund a scholarship for outstanding civil or environmental engineering students at Syracuse University. John Burch McMorran died on October 6, 1991.
The John Burch McMorran Collection contains materials documenting McMorran’s life. There are two diaries written in 1923 and 1924, which document his daily life, as well as a 1960 George Arents Pioneer Medal, the highest honor Syracuse University alumni can receive.
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 the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.
The Archives holds clippings and portrait files on John Burch McMorran.
Names
McMorran, John Burch.
Syracuse University -- Alumni and alumnae.
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.
Types of Material
Commemorative medals.
Diaries.
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
John Burch McMorran Collection,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisition Information
John Burch McMorran's diaries were donated to the Archives by Larry Gobrecht in 2005, and the Archives purchased the Arents medal in 2002.
Processing Information
Materials were rehoused in an acid-free box.
Personal Materials
| Personal Materials | |||||||||||
| Box 1 | Diary 1923 | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Diary 1924 | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | George Arents Pioneer Medal 1960 | ||||||||||