John A. DiBiaggio papers

Collection

Identifier: UA-2.1.17

Staff Only

Scope and Content

This collection contains six series of records: Administrative records of the Office of the President, Correspondence, Speeches, Social Events, Subject Files, and Vice President Files. Correspondence files are organized alphabetically and chronologically and contain both incoming and outgoing letters. Speeches files are primarily organized chronologically. Social Events files are planning documents for luncheons, dinners, receptions, and special events for distinguished visitors, faculty, donors, and friends. Subject Files contain records about university issues and are further divided into MSU Committee/Council records, records of organizations external to MSU in which DiBiaggio participated or were otherwise important to the university, and general files which document a diverse group of important issues and events during DiBiaggio's presidency. Vice Presidents Files contain records of importance administered by the Vice Presidents that were brought to the attention of the President.

Dates

Creation: 1985 - 1992
Creation: Majority of material found within 1990 - 1992

Creator

Michigan. Civil Service Commission (Organization)
DiBiaggio, John A., 1932- (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Some items may be restricted. Listed Faculty Grievance material is restricted. There is other unprocessed faculty grievance material that is also restricted. All questions about this material should be directed to the Archives.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Biographical Note

John A. DiBiaggio was the 17th president of Michigan State University and served from 1985 to 1992. Prior to becoming president of MSU, he served as the president of the University of Connecticut for six years.

DiBiaggio grew up in Detroit, the son of Italian immigrants. He was the first person on either side of his family to attend college. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1954, and then attended the University of Detroit School of Dentistry, graduating in 1958. He also holds a Master's degree from the Rackham School of Graduate Studies at the University of Michigan, and honorary degrees from several other institutions.

DiBiaggio practiced dentistry in New Baltimore, Michigan, and served in faculty and administrative posts at the University of Detroit, the University of Kentucky and the Virginia Commonwealth University. He was then named President at Connecticut in 1979.

DiBiaggio's activities have encompassed education, government, and community service. He served on the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development and Economic Cooperation, the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee of the American Film Institute, and the Board of Nominators for the American Institute of Public Service.

As president of MSU, DiBiaggio headed the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges during its Centennial Year. He was also a frequent spokesperson for public higher education and for land-grant universities.

DiBiaggio is married to Nancy Cronemiller DiBiaggio. He has three children, David, Dana and Deirdre.

(J. Russell)

Extent

42 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

Arranged into six series: 1. Administrative records of the Office of the President. 2. Correspondence. 3. Speeches. 4. Social Events (1985). 5. Subject Files. 6. Vice President Files.

Related Archival Materials

Note: President John DiBiaggio retained and supplemented some files from his predecessor, President Cecil Mackey. The researcher may find files previous to DiBiaggio's presidency in those records.

Legal Status

Donor(s) have transferred any applicable copyright to Michigan State University but the collection may contain third-party materials for which copyright was not transferred. Copyright restrictions may apply. Property Rights: Michigan State University.