VOLUME: 2.75 linear feet
ACCESS: This collection is open to the public upon request. Several folders are restricted and are identified as such in this document.
COPYRIGHT: Please consult the archivist for information about duplication or publishing of any materials from this collection.
Biographical Note
Joseph J. Sisco was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 31, 1919. Sisco earned his BA from Knox College (1941) and his MA (1947) and his PhD (1950) both from the University of Chicago. Sisco married Jean Churchill Head on March 26, 1946 with whom he had two children.
Sisco spent the bulk of his career as a civil servant. He worked for both the Central Intelligence Agency and the State Department.
In 1976, Sisco became the tenth President of American University in Washington, D.C. He helped AU strengthen its undergraduate admission standards and oversaw the construction of a new library. Sisco served as president until 1980 when he became Chancellor. He resigned from that position in 1981.
During his tenure as president of American University, he also served as foreign affairs correspondent for the New York Times. Sisco died in Chevy Chase, Maryland on November 23, 2004.
Scope and Content Note
This chronological file (1974-1999) documents Joseph J. Sisco’s tenure as President of American University through articles, biographical information, correspondence, memoranda, newspaper clippings and reports. The majority of the collection consists of correspondence with faculty, parents, staff, and students including AU’s Provost, Milton Greenberg. The agendas and minutes of the Board of Trustees and several of its committees dealing with financial matters are closed to researchers.
Processing Note
The original arrangement of this collection was chronological. To facilitate restricting access to the Board of Trustee materials, the archivist separated them out. All undated materials were placed at the end of the chronological file.
Box and Folder Listing
Box 1
Biographical, 1976-1999
Correspondence, 1976-1978 [6 folders]
Box 2
Correspondence, 1978-1981 [6 folders]
Box 3
Correspondence, 1981-1983 [6 folders]
Box 4
Correspondence, 1983-1985 [6 folders]
Box 5
Correspondence, 1985-1986, n.d. [6 folders]
Box 6 Restricted
Board of Trustees (BOT)
 General, 1974-1982 [3 folders]
 Finance Committee, 1977-1978
 Subcommittee on Investments, 1977-1978
 Development Committee, 1978