A founder of the Citizens For Historic Preservation, and active in many areas of local history and preservation, Dr. Van Riper earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Chicago. Dr. Van Riper's career includes service on the faculties of Cornell University, Northwestern University and George Washington University, as well as serving as a visiting professor at numerous universities both here and abroad. For seven years, Dr. Van Riper was head of Texas A&M University's Department of Political Science, then for four years served as the department's first Director of the Graduate Public Administration Program. He still teaches Public Personnel Administration at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, and classes at Texas A&M. He has written several books and special studies, and numerous articles in refereed journals. In 1990, he received the Waldo Award from the American Society for Public Administration for his lifetime contribution to the discipline. Areas of interest include American government, general administration, personnel management (especially the U.S. Civil Service), organizational theory and military management. Dr. Van Riper is currently Professor Emeritus (and is still teaching) of Political Science at Texas A&M University.

This ongoing collection demonstrates both his love of local history and local architecture, and his devotion to rigorous research.

1. Application form (blank) for Texas Historical Marker.
2. Cavitt Family Crest, short biography of William Richard Cavitt, and copies of family photographs from the Cavitt Collection.
3. Cavitt/Cavett family history.
4. Bryan City Council Minutes, including leases, deeds, agenda maps, plats and the obituary for Bernice Emma Wilson Cavitt.
5. Old City Hall materials: the Friends of Old City Hall, Inc., local residents, Bryan City Council agenda, maps, plats, and newspaper articles. Includes Dr. Van Riper's "From Old City Hall to Parking Lots, a Cost Analysis" dated 8 February 1998.

This collection is still in development.

For questions or concerns, contact Nan Ross.

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