Francis Keppel
Encyclopedia
Francis Keppel was an American
educator. As U.S. Commissioner of Education
(1962–1965) he was instrumental in developing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and in overseeing enforcement of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
in the schools. In 1966, he became head of the General Learning Corporation. Keppel later served on the New York City Board of Higher Education (1967–1971) and on Harvard’s Board of Overseers (1967–73). In 1974 he became founding chairman of the Lincoln Center Institute and director of the education policy program at the Aspen Institute
.
and attended the Groton School
in Massachusetts
. He entered Harvard University
in 1934 where he received a bachelor’s degree in English literature
. While studying at Harvard, Keppel dabbled in sculpture
. After graduation, he pursued art studies at the American Academy in Rome
. He returned to the States after a year and was named assistant dean of freshmen at Harvard University.
During World War II
, Keppel was secretary of the Joint Army
-Navy
Committee on Welfare and Recreation in Washington, D.C.
He later entered the U.S. Army’s Information and Education Division. Following the war, Keppel returned to Harvard as assistant to the provost
. James Bryant Conant
, then president of Harvard, was so impressed with Keppel’s enthusiasm and character attributes that he named Keppel the dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education
in 1948.
During his fourteen years as dean, the School of Education more than quadrupled in size, applications increased tenfold, and the endowment
swelled to over $9 million. Keppel focused on improving the quality of teaching, testing reform ideas, and suggesting innovations for practice. He revitalized the Master of Arts in Teaching and introduced a Master of Arts for Elementary Teachers. He also created Harvard’s School and University Program for Research and Development. He promoted experimentation in team teaching, programmed learning, curricular reform, and the use and development of educational television. These practices set Harvard apart from other educational schools. Keppel was widely respected as a national leader and served on numerous committees, task forces, and councils during his tenure.
He also is credited with influencing the passage of the Higher Education Facilities Act, the Manpower Development and Training Act, and the Library Services Act. When President Lyndon B. Johnson
elevated the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to a cabinet-level office in 1965, Keppel became the assistant secretary of education.
After serving the federal government, Keppel became chief executive officer of the General Learning Corporation, a joint venture between General Electric
and Time Inc.
. He later served as vice chair of the New York City Board of Higher Education and director of the Aspen Institute. He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 1977, Keppel returned to Harvard University as a senior lecturer where he continued teaching until his death.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
educator. As U.S. Commissioner of Education
Commissioner of Education
The Commissioner of Education was the title given to the head of the National Bureau of Education, a former unit within the Department of the Interior in the United States...
(1962–1965) he was instrumental in developing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and in overseeing enforcement of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark piece of legislation in the United States that outlawed major forms of discrimination against African Americans and women, including racial segregation...
in the schools. In 1966, he became head of the General Learning Corporation. Keppel later served on the New York City Board of Higher Education (1967–1971) and on Harvard’s Board of Overseers (1967–73). In 1974 he became founding chairman of the Lincoln Center Institute and director of the education policy program at the Aspen Institute
Aspen Institute
The Aspen Institute is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1950 as the Aspen Institute of Humanistic Studies. The organization is dedicated to "fostering enlightened leadership, the appreciation of timeless ideas and values, and open-minded dialogue on contemporary issues." The...
.
Background
Keppel was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and attended the Groton School
Groton School
Groton School is a private, Episcopal, college preparatory boarding school located in Groton, Massachusetts, U.S. It enrolls approximately 375 boys and girls, from the eighth through twelfth grades...
in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. He entered Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1934 where he received a bachelor’s degree in English literature
English literature
English literature is the literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by writers not necessarily from England; for example, Robert Burns was Scottish, James Joyce was Irish, Joseph Conrad was Polish, Dylan Thomas was Welsh, Edgar Allan Poe was American, J....
. While studying at Harvard, Keppel dabbled in sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
. After graduation, he pursued art studies at the American Academy in Rome
American Academy in Rome
The American Academy in Rome is a research and arts institution located on the Gianicolo in Rome.- History :In 1893, a group of American architects, painters and sculptors met regularly while planning the fine arts section of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition...
. He returned to the States after a year and was named assistant dean of freshmen at Harvard University.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Keppel was secretary of the Joint Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
-Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
Committee on Welfare and Recreation in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
He later entered the U.S. Army’s Information and Education Division. Following the war, Keppel returned to Harvard as assistant to the provost
Provost (education)
A provost is the senior academic administrator at many institutions of higher education in the United States, Canada and Australia, the equivalent of a pro-vice-chancellor at some institutions in the United Kingdom and Ireland....
. James Bryant Conant
James Bryant Conant
James Bryant Conant was a chemist, educational administrator, and government official. As thePresident of Harvard University he reformed it as a research institution.-Biography :...
, then president of Harvard, was so impressed with Keppel’s enthusiasm and character attributes that he named Keppel the dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education
Harvard Graduate School of Education
The Harvard Graduate School of Education is one of the graduate schools of Harvard University, and is one of the top schools of education in the United States. It was founded in 1920, the same year it invented the Ed.D...
in 1948.
During his fourteen years as dean, the School of Education more than quadrupled in size, applications increased tenfold, and the endowment
Financial endowment
A financial endowment is a transfer of money or property donated to an institution. The total value of an institution's investments is often referred to as the institution's endowment and is typically organized as a public charity, private foundation, or trust....
swelled to over $9 million. Keppel focused on improving the quality of teaching, testing reform ideas, and suggesting innovations for practice. He revitalized the Master of Arts in Teaching and introduced a Master of Arts for Elementary Teachers. He also created Harvard’s School and University Program for Research and Development. He promoted experimentation in team teaching, programmed learning, curricular reform, and the use and development of educational television. These practices set Harvard apart from other educational schools. Keppel was widely respected as a national leader and served on numerous committees, task forces, and councils during his tenure.
He also is credited with influencing the passage of the Higher Education Facilities Act, the Manpower Development and Training Act, and the Library Services Act. When President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
elevated the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to a cabinet-level office in 1965, Keppel became the assistant secretary of education.
After serving the federal government, Keppel became chief executive officer of the General Learning Corporation, a joint venture between General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
and Time Inc.
Time Inc.
Time Inc. is a subsidiary of the media conglomerate Time Warner, the company formed by the 1990 merger of the original Time Inc. and Warner Communications. It publishes 130 magazines, most notably its namesake, Time...
. He later served as vice chair of the New York City Board of Higher Education and director of the Aspen Institute. He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 1977, Keppel returned to Harvard University as a senior lecturer where he continued teaching until his death.