The President Raymond Fleck Papers
File
Identifier: SEUA-0021
This collection includes correspondence, speeches, press releases, press clippings, and photographs.
Use of these materials requires an appointment. Contact archives@stedwards.edu
Munday Library provides online access to selections from this collection here:
https://sites.google.com/stedwards.edu/presidentraymondfleckpapers/home
No materials belonging to the St.Edward's University Archives and Special Collections may be published or exhibited, in whole or in part, without written permission of the Director of the Library. Specific acknowledgement of the Munday Library Archives and Special Collections must appear in the printed publication or display. The library requests notification of publication or display and a complimentary copy of the published work. Photocopies or scans made of archival materials are intended for private research and permission to create these reproductions should not be taken as permission to publish. All responsibility for possible infringement of copyright law as a result of reproduction and use of these materials is assumed by the applicant. The researcher assumes full responsibility for complying with laws of libel and literary property rights which may be involved in their use. The Munday Library, at its discretion, may deny duplication of materials known to be covered by copyright that it does not own. Requests for permission to publish should be sent to archives@stedwards.edu
Dr. Raymond Fleck was president of St.Edward's University from 1957-1969.
Raymond Anthony Fleck was born March 9, 1927 in Brooklyn, New York. He was employed as a draftsman from 1943-1945, and then a soldier in the US Navy from 1945-1946. Fleck's higher education began post-war at Manhattan College, during which time he joined the Brothers of the Holy Cross in 1948. Brother Fleck went on to attend the University of Notre Dame, earning a Bachelor of Science in 1951 (Magna Cum Laude) and his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry in 1954. Brother Fleck applied his education towards his role as instructor of Chemistry at St.Edward's University from 1954-1957, at which time he was appointed as President of the university. At the age of 30, Brother Fleck was one of the youngest college presidents in the United States.
Brother Fleck served as president of St.Edward's University from 1957-1969. During his tenure as president, enrollment had nearly tripled (to just under 1,000 students), and women were approved to study at the university, where they helped establish Maryhill college. Other notable mentions Fleck oversaw were the first IBM computer, groundbreaking of new buildings such as St.Teresa Hall, and the gradual conversion of St.Edward's University from a strictly Catholic institution to a "contemporary liberal arts college" (Dunn, 1986, p.316). Brother Fleck conducted correspondence with members of the US Senate and House during his time at St.Edward's, of which notable members included John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Fleck continued his correspondence with the two throughout their subsequent presidencies.
In 1970, Brother Fleck respectfully dispensed his vows of religion from the Brothers of the Holy Cross. Dr.Fleck went on to marry Dorothy Rossow, formerly known as Sister Gretchen Rossow, in August of 1970. Following this, Dr.Fleck was taken on as Director of Research at the California State Polytechnic University. Dr.Fleck then assumed the presidency of Marygrove College in September of 1972 and continued in that capacity until 1979.
Fleck's memberships include the Association of American Colleges, American Council on Education, Austin Rotary Club, National Catholic Education Association, Catholic Higher Education Committee of the State Council of Knights of Columbus, Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Board of Directors of the United Fund of Austin, Advisory Board of the International Hospitality Committee of Austin, and Commisssion on Standards of the Association of Texas Colleges and Universities.
Source:
Biographies and resumes within the collection.
Dunn, W. (1986). Saint Edward's University: A Centennial History. Nortex Press.
5 Linear Feet
English
Records of speeches, correspondence, Holy Cross involvement, and administrative work done by Dr.Raymond Fleck during his tenure as President of St.Edward's University.
Arranged in five series:
I. Correspondence, subdivided into 2 subseries: External and Internal.
II. Public Relations, subdivided into 3 subseries: 1.Speeches, 2.Press Releases, and 3.Press Clippings.
III. Photographs
IV. Related Materials
V. Associations, subdivided into 4 subseries: 1.Association of American Colleges, 2.American Council on Education, 3. National Catholic Educational Association, and 4. Meeting notes, general.
This arrangement scheme was imposed duting processing in expansion of the original order.
Further accruals are expected.
This collection was processed by Robyn Pereira (Graduate Intern) under the supervision of Travis Williams (Archivist and Special Collections Librarian) in the summer of 2023.
Part of the University Archives Repository