Russell Mawby papers

Series

Identifier: JCPA-01

Staff Only

Collection Description

The Russell Mawby collection documents the life and work of Michigan-born Russell Mawby from 1928 to the present. Mawby was the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for twenty-five years and is recognized for his work in the area of philanthropy in the United States, Latin America, and Europe. From an early age his parents instilled in him the importance of a good education. This along with farming and agriculture, Boy Scouts, and 4-H programs, influenced the type of philanthropic work he was involved in at the Foundation. Russell Mawby currently lives in Michigan with his wife.

The collection includes biographical information, interviews, legislative testimony, speeches, calendars, field notes, awards and citations, honorary degrees, books and publications, and a binder from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and include photographs and duplicates of speeches and interviews already in the Mawby collection.

Dates

1938 - 2012

Creator

Mawby, Russell G. (Person)

Access to Materials

Collection is open for research use. Materials may be accessed by request at Special Collections and University Archives in Seidman House. Materials do not circulate.

Publication Rights

Copyright of personal papers was transferred to GVSU from Russell Mawby in the gift agreement. Copyright for materials from the Kellogg Archives resides with them. GVSU has rights to manage and provide access to the collection. Consult Special Collections for further information.

Biographical Note

Russell George Mawby was born February 23, 1928 in Kent County, Michigan. He was the third of four children of Wesley Mawby and Ruby A. (Finch) Mawby. Mawby graduated magna cum laude from Michigan State University in 1949 with a Bachelor’s degree in horticulture. He earned a Masters in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University in 1951. He was drafted and served in the Army from 1953 to 1955, and in 1956 was appointed Assistant Director of Michigan State University’s Cooperative Extension Service and Director of 4-H and Youth Programs. He later earned Doctorate in Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University.

In 1964, Mawby moved to Battle Creek, Michigan and was named Director of the Division of Agriculture at the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. Mawby rose rapidly at the Kellogg foundation, and by 1970 he became President and Chief Executive Officer of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation (later title changed to Chairman in 1982). In 1992, Mawby joined the Michigan State University Board of Trustees. Mawby retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in 1995. Mawby died October 20, 2017 at Borgess Gardens, Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Extent

6.5 Linear feet (15 boxes, 1 oversize folder, 1 binder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

Arranged in 10 series: 1) Biographical Information, 2) Interviews, 3) Legislative Testimony, 4) Speeches, 5) Calendars, 6) Field Notes, 7) Awards and Citations, 8) Honorary degrees,9) Books and Publications, 10) Binder from W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Source of Acquisition

Acquired from Russell Mawby and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Archives through the Johnson Center for Philanthropy.

Subjects

Charities Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Family foundations -- Michigan Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Philanthropists Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
W.K. Kellogg Foundation