Anne McKeen Shuler Papers

Collection

Identifier: M080

Staff Only

Abstract

Anne McKeen Shuler (1872-1928) was Dean of Women at the University of Denver, Denver, Colorado from 1911-1928. The collection includes correspondence, memorabilia, notes, newspaper clippings, invitations, event programs and speeches.

Dates

1914-1928

Creator

Shuler, Anne McKeen, 1872-1928 (Person)

Biographical / Historical

Anne McKeen Shuler served as Dean of Women at the University of Denver, Denver, Colorado from 1911 until her death in 1928. Her path to that position was somewhat unique even in the days when academic credentials were less rigid than today. Shuler was born in Danville, Indiana in 1872 and was educated in the Danville Public Schools. She attended Western Seminary in Oxford, Ohio, for two years. In 1892, her older sister, the wife of Dr. Frost Craft, died leaving two young sons. Shuler abandoned her academic career to move to Lafayette, Indiana to care for her sister’s children and home.

Dr. Frost Craft was a leading Methodist minister in Indiana and Illinois. He was also a college mate and lifelong friend of Chancellor Henry A. Buchtel. Craft moved to Denver in 1901 to become pastor at Trinity Church, and Shuler moved with him to Denver. In 1911 he transferred to University Park Church, and it was then that Shuler joined the University of Denver as Dean of Women. In 1914, the University of Denver awarded her an honorary Master of Arts degree.

Shuler never married and continued to maintain a household for Frost until his death in 1919, and during her years at the University of Denver, that home was open and welcoming to the students. Her grace and charm – the ability to make guests comfortable regardless of class or circumstances – are the qualities most often mentioned about Shuler. She was intelligent, well-read, and versed in the arts and music. She had a deep faith in God and her years presiding over a Methodist parsonage had deepened her qualities of giving of herself to all those in need. That generous spirit made her a favorite to the students she mentored as Dean of Women.

Shuler was a member of the National Educational Association, Colorado Education Association, Administrative Women in Education, National Association of Deans of Women, and the Colorado Association of Deans of Women.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 letter document box)

Additional Description

Scope and Contents

The Anne McKeen Shuler papers at the University of Denver consist primarily of speeches and notes for speeches given by Shuler during her tenure as Dean of Women at the University. There is a small biography folder, a folder of correspondence, and a folder of invitations and event programs accumulated by Shuler while at the University.The balance of the collection is devoted to speeches, notes, newspaper clippings and memorabilia. Some of the speeches were given several times during the 17 years she served as Dean of Women, and the collection includes multiple versions. There are also individual pages that she added to speeches for various occasions. For many of these it is impossible to determine where they should be inserted, so they have been identified merely as fragments.