Mitchell, Maurice B., 1915-1996.

Maurice B. Mitchell served as the 13th Chancellor of the University of Denver, Denver, Colo. from 1967 to 1978. During his tenure he established the annual Publishing Institute and oversaw the construction of several buildings such as Penrose Library and the Shwayder Art Building. While he was Chancellor, Woodstock West, a student protest against the Vietnam War, was resolved. Prior to his arrival at the University, Mitchell was President of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.

Born in New York City on Feb. 9, 1915, Maurice Mitchell grew up, attended college and began his career there. Mitchell joined the staff at the New York Times in 1935 and also served as advertising director and managing editor of the Gouverneur Tribune Press (NY). From that position, he continued working as advertising director for three upstate New York daily papers. After the war, Mitchell joined CBS as manager of the Washington, D.C. Station, WTOP. In 1948, he assumed an executive position with the National Association of Broadcasters and in 1950 joined the Muzak Corporation as vice-president. His success in that post led to his selection as President of Encyclopedia Britannica Films, Inc. In 1962, he became President of Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. He resigned in 1967 to become Chancellor of the University of Denver.

He served as Chancellor of the University of Denver from 1967 to 1978. He then left to work as President of the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions. Mitchell resigned from the Center when it merged with the University of California. In 1983, he became President of the Washington program at the Annenberg School of Communications. Mitchell served on the boards of many professional corporations and civic organizations including Colorado and Southern Railroad, the Federal Reserve Bank (Denver Branch), the Colorado State Historical Society, the United States Commission on Civil Rights, and the Colorado Springs Saving Bonds Committee. He received numerous awards for his hard work and dedication, including the Brotherhood Award, National Conference of Christians and Jews (1968); the George Washington Medal, Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge (1969); the Service to Mankind Award, Mile High Sertoma Club (1970); the Golden Plate Award, American Academy of Achievement (1972); and the Malcom Glenn Wyer Award of the Adult Education Council of Metropolitan Denver (1975).

He married Mary V. Rowles in 1951. They had three children, Lee, Keith, and Deborah. Mrs. Mitchell was active in the University of Denver Women’s Association, the Kent School for Girls, and several other organizations. She passed away in 1991. Maurice Mitchell died in 1996.