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Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw Records

A description of the records at the Syracuse University Archives

Summary

Creator: Shaw, Kenneth A. (University chancellor)
Title: Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw Records
Dates: 1971-2008
Size: 76 boxes and 2 packages (approximately 75.5 linear feet)
Abstract: Records of the office of Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw
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

Biography

Kenneth A. "Buzz" Shaw (1939 - ) was the tenth Chancellor of Syracuse University who served from 1991 to 2004. He received his bachelor's degree in social science at Illinois State University in 1961, master's degree in education at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in 1963, and Ph.D. in sociology at Purdue University in 1966. After teaching high school history in Park Forest, Illinois from 1961 to 1963, Shaw went on to become an assistant to the president and sociology lecturer from 1966 to 1969 at Illinois State University. Shaw then served as a vice president of academic affairs at Towson State University (1969-1976), chancellor at Southern Illinois University System (1979-1986), and chancellor at the University of Wisconsin System (1986-1991).

Shaw was inaugurated Chancellor of Syracuse University on November 8, 1991. He dramatically improved the University's fiscal health by leading the University through a massive restructuring and restoring its financial footing. Seeking to transform Syracuse into a "student-centered research university," Shaw and his administration oversaw many other changes at the University. In 1995 Otto the Orange became the University's official mascot. In 2000 the Marilyn and Bill Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion was built, and the School of Social Work, the College for Human Development, and the College of Nursing merged to form the College of Human Services and Health Professions. In 2003 the University celebrated its first NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship. That same year Donald E. Newhouse '51 announced the S.I. Newhouse Foundation's gift of $15 million toward the construction of Newhouse III, and the School of Management was named the Martin J. Whitman School of Management in honor of Martin J. Whitman '49, who had pledged one of the largest gifts made to the University. After his retirement as Chancellor in 2004, Shaw returned to the Whitman School of Management to teach leadership.

Shaw served as chair of the Commissioner's Advisory Council on Higher Education for the New York State Education Department and on the New York State Governor's Commission on Education Reform. He was a member of the boards of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Council on Independent Colleges and Universities and the American Council on Education. Shaw also served on the NCAA's Division I Board of Directors. Among his many writings on leadership and higher education, Shaw authored The Successful President: 'Buzzwords' on Leadership (1999) and The Intentional Leader (2005).

The recipient of eight honorary degrees, Shaw was accorded the Chief Executive Leadership award by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District II in 2004. In 2010, Syracuse University dedicated the Quad as the Kenneth A. Shaw Quadrangle, in recognition of his transformative role at Syracuse University. Shaw and his wife Mary Ann Shaw were awarded the Chancellor's medal in 2018.

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Scope and Content Note

The Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw Records comprise various materials which document Shaw and his administration at Syracuse University. The collection encompasses correspondence, travel files, subject files (including athletics), speeches, presentations, course materials, books, photographs, memorabilia, and reports. Please note that some files appear to overlap Chancellor Melvin A. Eggers' administration.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The collection is currently unprocessed and not available for research.

Office of the Chancellor records are restricted to the office of origin for 50 years..

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.

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Related Material

Clipping and portrait files of Shaw are available in the University Archives.

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Selected Search Terms

Names

Shaw, Kenneth A. (University chancellor)
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.

Subjects

School mascots.
College administrators.
College teachers.
Higher education.

Types of material

Administrative reports.
Annual reports.
Correspondence.
Memorabilia.
Photographs.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw Records,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Syracuse University's Office of the Chancellor transferred the bulk of these records to the University Archives between 1992 and 2015.

Processing Information

These records are not processed.

Finding Aid Information

Created by: Jaihyun Park and Meg Mason
Date: 2018
Revision history: 3/24/22 - restriction added (HVA)

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Arrangement

The collection is unprocessed and remains in original order.

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Inventory

An inventory has not yet been created for this collection. Please contact the Repository listed above for more information.

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