Reminiscences of Thomas N. Mitchell : oral history, 2005.

Biographical Note

Provost, Trinity College Dublin; Board member, Atlantic Philanthropies.

Scope and Contents

Childhood and early education in Castlebar, Ireland; family background; secondary education in Ballarghaderreen, Ireland; B.A. in Classics and Economics, University College Galway, 1961; M.A., University College Galway, 1962; Ph.D. in Classics, Cornell University, 1966; Work experience: instructor at Cornell University, 1965-1966; professor, Swarthmore College, 1966-1967, University College Cork, 1967-1968; professor of Classics, Swarthmore College, 1968-1979: dean of humanities division, campus turmoil surrounding civil rights movement, sabbatical to Trinity College, Dublin to write Cicero (published 1979), 1975-1976; professor of Latin, Trinity College, Dublin [Trinity], 1979-1991; senior dean, 1984, chairman of the Quarter-centenary Committee, 1986-1991; provost, Trinity, 1991-2001; Director, Atlantic Philanthropies, 2002- ; reflections on university life, life in US, pedagogical differences between American and Irish/European teaching, Ireland's economic problems and poor funding of higher education, efforts as Trinity provost to raise university's profile, formation of CARC [Comprehensive Academic Review Committee], reformulation of Trinity's academic orientation with introduction of American university traits; fundraising efforts as provost: establishment of Trinity Foundation; campus development and expansion plan with aid from Atlantic Philanthropies; member of Conference of Irish Universities [CHIU], chairman of CHIU, 1994; conflicts with educational funding policy, CHIU's efforts in pressuring funding policy reform; government's establishment of Program for Research in Third Level Institutions [PRTLI]; thoughts on link between higher education and industry and national/economic growth; reflections on Atlantic Philanthropies' goals and administration, and on Charles F. Feeney's personality, philanthropic efforts, personal drive, and interest in Ireland.

Subjects

• Atlantic Philanthropies (Organization)
• College administrators--Ireland--Interviews.
• Education, Higher--Ireland.
• Interviews.
• Mitchell, Thomas N., 1939---Interviews.
• Oral histories (literary works)
• Starecheski, Amy, interviewer.--http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/ivr
• Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland)

Access Conditions

Copyright held by: The Trustees of Columbia University of the City of New York and The Atlantic Philanthropies, 2007.