University Archives News

All Good Things Come to an End: University Archivist Patrick Quinn Retires

After a Northwestern career of 34 years, University Archivist Patrick Quinn has folded his cards, cashed in his chips, and headed off into a well-deserved retirement.

Appointed to the position in 1974, Patrick built the Northwestern University Archives from a small collection, limited largely to clippings and serials, to a modern repository encompassing vast holdings of records and manuscripts. During that transformation Patrick became a well-known purveyor of information to the Northwestern community: to faculty, administrators, alumni, and generations of Northwestern students. An often-featured speaker at alumni events and student firesides, an on- and off-the-record source for countless Daily reporters, and a stalwart fan of Wildcat football, Patrick became a familiar feature of the Northwestern landscape. In recognition of his accomplishments and in keeping with the tenor of his service, a large and festive retirement party was held May 28, 2008, in the Guild Lounge of Scott Hall. Featuring a lavish -- and often outrageous -- encomium delivered by Prof. Carl Smith, the event included surprise visits from Willie the Wildcat, the NU Marching Band Drumline, and many treasured friends and colleagues. Patrick has been named Northwestern University's Archivist Emeritus and plans to divide his time between his Evanston home and extensive travel.

For more on Patrick's career and retirement see Crosscurrents, Northwestern Magazine (Fall 1999, Summer 2008), and the Daily Northwestern.