Papers reflect McConnell's career, containing correspondence, manuscript drafts, and published papers, as well as his notes and working files. His work after coming to U.C. Berkeley in 1954 is well represented while coverage is weakest in his early years in Iowa and Minnesota. Of note are files on "The Restudy of California's Needs in Higher Education," which provided the basis for California's Master Plan for Higher Education. Contains records on development of the Center for the Study of Higher Education, which later became affiliated with U.C Berkeley as the Center for Research and Development in Higher Education. In addition to working drafts of books and articles, there are transcripts of interviews relating to higher education in Britain, and with California administrators. Clippings files cover Berkeley social and academic politics, and include clippings on Angela Davis' case against the Regents, People's Park, the School of Criminology, and experimental programs at Berkeley. Material on the careers of David Gardner and Clark Kerr, and autobiographical essays and other biographical material also included.

Born in Mediapolis, Iowa in 1901, Thomas Raymond McConnell received his B.A. in English in 1924 from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa and his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology in 1933 from the University of Iowa. He taught at Cornell College from 1925 to 1932 and served as a Dean from 1932 to 1936. McConnell was a Professor of Educational Psychology and Higher Education at the University of Minnesota from 1936 to 1950, receiving the L.L.D. in 1949. He served as Chancellor at the University of Buffalo from 1950 to 1954, receiving a D.H.L. from Syracuse University in 1952. During this period, Dr. McConnell established guidelines and articulated a philosophy for general education requirements and the value of a "liberal arts" education.

Number of containers: 4 boxes, 5 cartons Linear feet: ca. 8

Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and the copyright.

Collection is open for research, with one exception: In Carton 4, folder 49: pages 20-24 of McConnell's notes from interview have been sealed at the request of Dr. Clark Kerr, until his death.