Call Number:

04.031

Repository:

Drexel University: Archives and Special Collections

Extent:

1.0 cubic feet

Language:

English

Date:

1977-2011 (inclusive)

Creator:

Hirshorn, Paul

Donor:

Hirshorn, Paul

Abstract:

Paul Hirshorn earned his BA, M.Arch. and MCP degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in Architecture from Cambridge University, where he studied as a Thouron Scholar from 1964 to 1967. He was a member of the faculty of the College of Media Arts and Design from 1974 as an adjunct professor until he was appointed the Head of the Department of Architecture, a position he held from 1986 through 2007, and the Head of the Department and Interiors from 2007-2010. Under his leadership the Department launched the unique 2+ 4 Option, added Summer Study Tours in Rome and Paris, and the Arfaa Lecture Series in Architecture. From 1977 to 1986 he also taught at the University of Pennsylvania and was in private practice. Previously, he worked for the Philadelphia firms of Venturi & Rauch and Ueland & Junker. He is the co-author of White Towers, a study of signs and symbolism in commercial vernacular architecture. He served as a Director of AIA Philadelphia from 1991 to 1993 and has been the chairman of the Architectural Review Committee of the City of Camden since 1987. In 1990 Professor Hirshorn received the Joseph S. Mozino Award for service to evening students and was the Stanley J. Gwiazda Professor for 1996-97.

The Paul Hirshorn Records consist of printed and operational materials pertaining to his role as head of the Architecture program at the College of Media Arts and Design (formerly CODA), While his original file structure was maintained, folders were reorganized alphabetically, due to the lack of an original order.

The Hirshorn Records are divided into two series. The first, consisting of seven folders, includes printed materials. Topics covered in this series are flyers and postcards; ARFAA lecture series flyers; honors day convocation announcements, at which Hirshorn was a common presenter; TIES magazine, a publication of the College of Arts and Design; and the Transitions bound volumes, which are resumés from the 2+4 program. The second series includes pertaining to the operational policies of the department and university, such as academic advisement, faculty and administrative, financial and management, and policies and procedures, and CODA guides and handbooks, along with faculty directories, newsletters, the NASAD self-study, and an operating meeting for department heads.