Guide to the Robert Reichley Files, 1968-1997

John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI, 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Published in 2019

Collection Overview

Title:	Robert Reichley Files
Date range:	1968-1997
Creator:	Reichley, Robert A.
Extent:	8.5 linear feet
Abstract:	The Robert Reichley Files include personal documents, commencement notes, correspondences with Howard Swearer, copies of speeches, files relating to student strikes and referedums, Alumni relation letters, reports of Brown's public reputation, and budget plans. They are dated from 1968-1997.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number:	OF-1CA-R2

Scope & content

The Robert Reichley Files include personal documents, commencement notes, correspondences with Howard Swearer, copies of speeches, files relating to student strikes and referedums, Alumni relation letters, reports of Brown's public reputation, and budget plans. They are dated from 1968-1997.

Access Points

Subject Organizations

• Brown University.

Subject Topics

• Universities and colleges--Public relations.
• Education.

Arrangement

This collection is divided into 3 series.

• Series 1. Subject Files
• Series 2. Presidential Lectures
• Series 3. Robert A. Reichley and Vartan Gregorian (RAR and VG)

Biographical/Historical Note

Robert A. Reichley (1927-2018) was the Executive Vice President for Alumni, Public Affairs and External Relations at Brown University.

Reichley graduated from York Junior College (now York College and received his bachelor's degree in English from Ursinus College, in Collegeville, PA. Brown University hired him as the editor of its alumni magazine in 1968. The next year the magazine won the Robert Sibley Award for best university magazine in the country. After two and a half years, he was asked to create the first University Relations Department. By 1977, Reichley headed all University relations: media, alumni, community, government, general public relations, external communications, major University events and special programs. He was promoted to Executive Vice President for Alumni, Public Affairs and External Relations in 1990. After 30 years, four presidents, and numerous awards, honors and honorary degrees, he retired as executive vice president and secretary of the university. Reichley's department won over 400 national awards of excellence during his tenure at Brown.

Reichley had a lifelong love of the arts. As Chairman of the Board at Ursinus he led the successful campaign for a $25 million performing arts center. In recognition of his and his wife Sara's long-standing support of music at Brown and in Rhode Island, the Sara and Robert A. Reichley Concert Fund was established in 1997.

The state of Rhode Island, and especially Providence, was dear to him. He was Chairman of the Providence Foundation; President of the Providence Preservation Society; President of the Greater Providence Convention and Visitors Bureau; Commissioner on the Capital Center Commission; member of the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority; and a board member or chairman of the board of Trinity Square Repertory Company, the Rhode Island Commodores, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, the Rhode Island Committee for the Humanities, and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, among others.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials:	Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	Robert Reichley Files, OF-1CA-R2, Brown University Library
Contact information:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts Box A Brown University Providence, RI, 02912 Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148 Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Paul Jordan and Daniela Carney
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using the RIAMCO EAD spreadsheet, 2019 May 13
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

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