John Patrick Crecine Papers

Collection

Identifier: 2012-0005

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the academic, personal, familial, and professional works of John Patrick Crecine, PhD, stored in 122 archival acid-free boxes. The collection includes publications, lecture materials, business correspondence, computer program designs, teaching materials, letters, E-mail printouts, contracts and administrative reports regarding John Patrick Crecine’s diverse academic, corporate, administrative, and family histories.

The collection is divided into 6 Series: Research, Education, Georgia Tech Administration, Entrepreneurship, Computer Science, and Personal.

The arrangement of this collection attempts to maintain the original order of Crecine’s materials. Bulk items and secondary materials have been grouped together for cohesion.

All deteriorating materials, such as file folders, binding, and metal objects, have been removed and replaced with acid-free storage to ensure preservation.

Dates

Creation: Majority of material found within Bulk, 1960-2008
Creation: 1948-2008

Creator

Crecine, John P., 1939- (Person)

Biography

John Patrick Crecine was born August 22, 1939 in Detroit, Michigan and grew up in Lansing, Michigan graduating from Lansing Eastern High School in 1957. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management at Carnegie Mellon University in 1961. He also finished both a Master’s (1963) and Doctorate (1966) degree in Industrial Administration at Carnegie Mellon’s Graduate School of Industrial Administration (renamed the Tepper School of Business in 2004).

Following his graduation, Crecine served in a number of education roles, beginning as professor of public policy at the University of Michigan in 1968. He was fundamental in the foundation of Michigan’s Institute of Public Policy Studies, serving as its first director from 1968-1975. During this period he also provided various government research on military processes and budget formulation for the Research and Development (RAND) Corporation.

In 1976, Crecine became dean of Carnegie Mellon’s Deitrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as professor of Political Economy in the school of Urban Affairs. In this capacity, he was active in redeveloping the institution’s curriculum, instituting programs in statistics and the social sciences, as well as focusing research efforts on the cognitive sciences and computational linguistics.

In 1983, John Patrick Crecine was appointed Carnegie Mellon’s Senior Vice President and Provost. In this capacity, he served as the directorial force of CMU’s academic and research goals and became instrumental in founding the Carnegie Mellon School of Computer Science, the first independent school of its kind, in 1986.

In 1987, Crecine was inaugurated as the Georgia Institute of Technology’s 9th President. During his presidency, Georgia Tech experienced a technological revolution, which saw the university rise in both academic and research rankings. Also, Crecine was also instrumental in developing the University’s athletic reputation, winning the 1990 NCAA National Championship in football. During this period, the University also acquired the rights to host events and housing for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Crecine resigned from this position in 1994.

During and following his appointment at Georgia Tech, Crecine was invested heavily in technological entrepreneurship, serving as a founding member and Director of NeXT Computer, Inc. from 1985-1996. Crecine also subsequently served on the board of directors for a number of international corporations, including as HBO & Co., Intermet, and Virtual University, Inc..

In 2006, Crecine returned to Carnegie Mellon as a part time professor. He passed away in 2008 at the age of 68 and is survived by his children Robert and Kathryn.

Extent

52 Linear feet (52 boxes, including box 21A. )

Language

English

Additional Description

Acquisition Note

The John Patrick Crecine Collection was donated to the Carnegie Mellon University Archive by the Crecine Family. The collection was transferred from the Crecine estate to Carnegie Mellon University archival storage in July 2012.

John Patrick Crecine Collection Processing Information

Series I: Research This series contains research conducted by John Patrick Crecine, or research in which Crecine was a contributor. Most items revolve around public policy and fiscal policy formulation on federal, state, and local levels. The dates of publication in this series range roughly from1965 to 1985.

Series II: Education This series focuses on Crecine’s time working for the University of Michigan as well as Carnegie Mellon, containing course materials, correspondence, and administrative documentation. The period of this series ranges from 1968 to 1986.

Series III: Georgia Tech Administration This series contains materials from Crecine’s tenure as President of Georgia Tech. Included are administrative correspondence, local op-ed journalism, and staff processes from 1987 to 1994. Also included are materials pertaining to Crecine’s resignation and the controversy surrounding his later years as President and involvement with the Olympic Planning Committee for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Series IV: Entrepreneurship This series contains materials from Crecine’s time as an entrepreneur, serving as Director for NeXT Computer, Inc., and board member for Intermet, HBO & Co., and Virtual University Inc. from 1986 to 2007. The materials in this series are mostly financial statements, board of directors meeting materials, company portfolios, administrative records, and employee contact lists.

Series V: Computer Science This series contains various computing materials, including hardware and software for both personal and professional use. Included in this series is a full model of a NeXT Computer, including input/output and processing components.

Series VI: Personal

This series contains various ephemeral and peripheral materials collected by John Patrick Crecine. The date range on these items lies between 1978 and 1996.