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Who Was Arlen Specter? the Content of the Accompanying Website Can Be Found At The Specter Collection and Website As part of a partnership with Thomas Jefferson the workings of a Congressional office and the University-East Falls campus (formerly unique political environment of the late 20th Philadelphia University), the Specter Papers and early 21st centuries. were processed over the course of four years and made available in 2018. Consisting of 1,338 Documentation detailing Specter’s legislative boxes of paper and media records, 209 GB of accomplishments, particularly on the electronic files, and hundreds of memorabilia Judiciary and Appropriations Committee, and photographic objects, the collection can also be found in the Papers Highlights documents 30 years of Specter’s Congressional of Senator Specter’s career and legislative service, in addition to a small amount of accomplishments. Additionally, information information on his pre-Senatorial career. While about the contents of the archival collection, Who was Arlen Specter? the content of the accompanying website can be found at www.arlenspecter.library.pitt.edu. focuses on some of the major legislative Over 4,000 press releases and nearly 100 Sen. Specter, first elected to the U.S. Senate highlights of Specter’s career, the volume of speeches from the collection have been in 1980, was Pennsylvania’s longest- the physical papers make them an invaluable digitized and are available online at www.digital. serving senator. He served as chairman tool for study and research. Containing library.pitt.edu/collection/arlen-specter-senatorial-papers. of the Senate Judiciary Committee and briefing books, background research, memos, Archival material can be accessed either at senior member of the Appropriations and chronological files, press releases, speeches, the University of Pittsburgh Library System’s Veterans Affairs Committees. Sen. Specter news clips, photos, audio-visual material, Archives Service Center in Pittsburgh, or at played an instrumental role in many of the memorabilia and much more, the Papers Thomas Jefferson University’s Paul J. Gutman Senate’s most important issues during his document not only the Senator’s career, but Library in Philadelphia. The Arlen Specter Center 31-year career, including the confirmation of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. The mission of the Arlen Specter Center at In 1963, as Assistant Philadelphia District Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Attorney, he was named assistant counsel Jefferson University) is to be a nonpartisan to the Warren Commission investigation forum for transdisciplinary education, research into President Kennedy’s assassination, and scholarship, and civic engagement in and two years later was elected District recognition of the Arlen Specter legacy. Attorney of Philadelphia. Philadelphia University, now Thomas Jefferson University – East Falls Campus, was honored by the decision of Sen. Arlen Arlen Specter Center website: Specter to donate his extensive collection http://www.philau.edu/spectercenter/ of historical papers and memorabilia to the Specter Research Archive: Paul J. Gutman Library in 2010. http://arlenspecter.library.pitt.edu/ Opportunities at the Specter Center University Information http://www.jefferson.edu Roxboro House Roundtables Thomas Jefferson University – East Falls campus, formerly Philadelphia University, was These interdisciplinary discussions, led by students, founded in 1884 and moved to East Falls in faculty, staff, or outside guests, involve any topic from 1948. Presently, 3,600 students are enrolled health and science, to fashion, economics, and politics. in more than 60 undergraduate and graduate The gatherings take place in the cozy, historical Roxboro programs. As the model for professional House living room and provide an opportunity for partic- university education, the University prepares ipants to explore and consider a variety of themes, often students to be leaders in their professions in involving controversial issues of the day. All university an active, collaborative and real-world learning constituents are welcome to attend or lead a Roundtable environment infused with the liberal arts. The on a topic of their choice. East Falls campus includes the innovative See: https://soundcloud.com/roxborohouseroundtables Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and https://www.facebook.com/RoxboroHouseRoundtables/ Commerce; the College of Architecture and the Built Environment; the College of Humanities and Science; the College of Life Science: Knowledge Exchanges College of Health Professions and the College About Roxboro House of Rehabilitation Sciences. Knowledge Exchanges are a forum for faculty, staff, and students to share their research, practice-based work, The Roxboro House on the East Falls campus Society. At the direction of President Thomas and creative work. This program facilitates productive opened as the home of the Arlen Specter Jefferson, Dr. Wistar helped Meriwether Lewis sharing and networking, fosters mentoring and modeling, Center in 2014, following an extensive two prepare for the Corps of Discovery Expedition, and encourages an interdisciplinary atmosphere that year renovation which preserved many of its later known as the Lewis and Clark Expedition. enriches our campus community. Attendance is open to historically significant architectural features. Given Dr. Wistar’s interest in horticulture it is not all. See: http://www.philau.edu/spectercenter/ Built around 1800, Roxboro House is one of surprising that his summer house has interesting knowledge-exchange.html the older suburban structures in Philadelphia landscape features, including a much-publicized and an excellent example of the Federal style gingko tree (c. 1768). Notably, the wisteria of architecture. It includes a semicircular front flowering vine was named in honor of Dr. Wistar. Research Fellowships porch and elegant wooden columns. Throughout the interior, original arched openings, paneled Roxboro House was placed on the Philadelphia CONTACT INFO: In 2018, the Specter Center awarded four $5,000 doors, millwork, and mantels survive. Register of Historic Places in November 1964. fellowships to promote scholarship and research in a Following the extensive renovation, led by Karen Albert subject area supported by the Arlen Specter Collection. Roxboro House was purchased in 1810 by Dr. Preservation Design Partnership (PDP) of Specter Center Coordinator The fellowships highlight the significant impact that the Caspar Wistar, a prominent figure in early Philadelphia, the house was honored with the Email: [email protected] late senator’s work had on American politics, criminal Philadelphia and American history. Dr. Wistar Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia Phone: 215-951-2847 justice, healthcare policy and culture. These fellowships wrote the first book on human anatomy Preservation Achievement Grand Jury Award advance the profile of the Specter Center and University. published in the United States. He also served in 2015. Evan Laine See: http://www.philau.edu/spectercenter/research- as president of the American Philosophical Specter Center Faculty Director fellowship.html Email: [email protected] Phone: 215-951-2768.
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