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Morris W. Rannels Papers, 1952-1960

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MS-2008-01

Scope and Contents

The collection consists primarily of newspaper clippings and supplemented documents that chronicle Morris W. Rannels’ term as superintendent in Cecil County, Maryland, from 1952 to 1960. Among the supplements of materials are photographs of building dedications; programs of graduations and school dedications; surveys of obsolete school buildings; and an evaluation of the county’s financial needs. The newspaper clippings were obtained mainly from the Cecil Democrat and the Cecil Whig. The articles chiefly describe Cecil County’s financial needs to build new schools and renovate others and the issue of integration. Rannels also included personal items in the collection such as invitations to graduations, programs from various conventions, and photographs. Rannels saved this collection for years and gave it to his close friend, Owen Crabb, in hopes that the latter could preserve the collection and make it a useful resource. Crabb contacted Margaret Trader at McDaniel College, where arrangements were made to have the collection preserved and put in the school’s archive.

Dates

  • 1926-2008
  • Majority of material found in 1952-1960
  • Other: Date acquired: 09/01/2007

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No Restrictions

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright: McDaniel College may hold copyright to sections of this material. McDaniel College makes no representation that it is the owner of any copyright or other literary property in the materials contained in its archives and special collections, (b) that in providing access to or permitting the reproduction of any such materials, McDaniel Archives does not assume any responsibility for obtaining or granting any permission to publish or use the same, and (c) that the responsibility 9i) for determining the nature of any rights, and the ownership or interest therein, and for obtaining the appropriate permissions to publish or use and (ii) for determining the nature of any liabilities (including liabilities for defamation and invasion of privacy or publicity) that may arise from any publication or use, rest entirely with the researcher. Copying: Papers may be copied in accordance with the Archives' usual procedures.

Biographical or Historical Information

Morris Wolfe Rannels, affectionately known as “Slim” among friends, was born in Rowenna, Pennsylvania, on April 13, 1915, to Oscar Von and Minnie (Wolfe). He attended Maytown High School near Lancaster, PA from which he graduated in 1933 as the Senior Class President. He graduated in 1938 from Millersville University, also referred to as Millersville PA State Teaching College, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Mr. Rannels began teaching mathematics at Annapolis High School in 1938 but he left the position in 1941 to enlist in the U.S. Navy. In the year of 1942, he married Norma (Jensen) and together, over the course of their 65 year marriage had six children, 22 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. In 1946, Mr. Rannels returned to teaching mathematics at Annapolis High School. He received his Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Maryland in 1948. It was also during this time that Mr. Rannels did advanced work at the University of Pittsburgh and Columbia University. Mr. Rannels took a position in Anne Arundel County as the Director of Transportation from 1948 to1950, then as the supervisor of planning and purchasing from 1950 to 1952.  Mr. Rannels took the position in 1952 as a Superintendent of Cecil County Public Schools where over the course of eight years he oversaw the construction of ten new schools. He left that position in 1960, moving to Ellicott City, and was appointed the Coordinator of Safety and Pupil Transportation of the Public Schools of Maryland until his retirement in 1978. Mr. Rannels relocated to Clearwater, Florida, where he spent his time with his family and friends. He passed away September 25, 2007; he was 92.

Note written by Chad Arrington, Victoria Childs, Matthew Cowell, April Christina Curley, Susan Gordon, Brittany Maff

Extent

7.00 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement Note

Box 1: 1952-1953 / 1953-1954 Box 2: 1954-1955 Box 3: 1955-1956 / 1956-1957 Box 4: 1957-1958 / 1958-1959 Box 5: 1959-1960 Box 6: Miscellaneous, 1926/2007 Box 7: Series 2, 2008

Custodial History

Morris Rannels gave this collection to his good friend Owen Crabb. Mr. Crabb contacted Dr. Margaret Trader of McDaniel College and asked if College wanted the collection. Dr. Trader sought the advice of Dr. Bryn Upton, a history professor at McDaniel College. Dr. Upton talked with the Archivist about using the collection as a teaching tool during January Term and then placing it in the Archives.  He and his students researched Morris Rannels and processed the collection.  It was donated to the Archives in January of 2008 along with the finding aid produce by Dr. Upton and his class.

Source of Acquisition

Rannels, Morris W.

Subjects

Record Groups

Related Names

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
"Morris W. Rannels Papers, 1952-1960"
Author
Chad Arrington, Victoria Childs, Matthew Cowell, April Christina Curley, Susan Gordon, Brittany Maffei, Kristin Pavlovsky, Clayton Rosa, Kim Staub, Meredith Tucker, and Bryn Upton
Date
10/13/2010
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Physical Storage Information

External Documents

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the McDaniel College Repository

Contact:

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