Richard Ramsden was born in Wrenthan, Massachusetts, on September 10, 1937. After graduating from Phillips Exeter Adademy in Exeter, New Hampshire in 1955, Ramsden attended Harvard University for one year before transferring to Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. After graduation from Brown in 1959, Ramsden earned his Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from the Harvard Business School in 1961. From 1961 to 1972 he worked in investment banking in New York City with the firms of Dillon, Reid & Co., Inc., and Brokaw, Schaenen, Clancy & Co. From 1969 to 1970, Ramsden served in Washington, D.C. as a White House Fellow. In 1973 he was a consultant for the Nine College Study of the Financing of Undergraduate Education, sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. For the next three years, 1974 to 1977, he was the Executive Director of the Consortium on Financing Higher Education at Dartmouth College in Hannover, New Hampshire.
Ramsden joined the administration of Brown University in October of 1977 as the Vice President for Administration and Finance. In July of 1980 he was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the University. He resigned his position in December 1982 to return to private business, joining the Earl Kinship Capital Corporation in New York City as its President and Chief Executive Officer.
Historically, the Brown endowment had been managed by the Treasurer and the Investment Committee; this paper recommended the retention of independent investment managers. This change subsequently came to pass.
In 1959, prior to graduation the class of 1959 began a tradition of accumulating a 25th reunion gift through investments. This article examines the program ten years later. Brown dropped the practice in the early 1970s. At June 30, 1983, the value of the accumulated 25th reunion fund was $1,721,771. Ultimately the University will receive between $2 and $3 million from this program.
A discussion or Brown's finances for the 1971-2 Brown Fund
An analysis of the Brown Fund, and a statement of the need for a development strategy. This was written at the conclusion of [Ramsden's] three years (1971-4) as co-chairman of the Brown Fund.
A talk to alumni leaders regarding Brown fundraising.
In June of 1975, the University faced a number of drastic cutbacks because of its worsening financial condition. This was an attempt to propose some answers.
A letter of recommendations based on a consulting visit by Richard J. Ramsden and Donald Routh of Amherst to Tougaloo.
Regarding the quality and quantity of Committee meetings.
Setting forth, at his request an analysis of development at Brown.
Unpublished article.
A paper prepared for the Sloan Commission on government and higher education.
Article in Brown Daily Herald.
For the March 10, 1978 Newport Corporation meeting.
This was the final report of the Palmer Committee setting forth the endowment spending policies of the University.
This extensive report was the result of months of effort with the Faculty Awards and Benefit Committee. It dealt with University fringe benefits, and most importantly, with the contentious and emotional subject of tuition benefits.
In Business Officer, NACUBO.
The effort to invigorate the Third Century Fund, a higher-risk investment pool of the University, was one of the most important initiatives of that period at Brown.
This was a shortened, revised version of the report which went to the Awards and Benefits Committee
This was the final version which went to all faculty and exempt staff and was put into effect.
This was an important initiative that led to the creation of Genesis, Ltd., a captive insurance company domiciled in Bermuda.
Before the Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education, Committee on Education and Labor, U.S. House of Representatives.
On Ramsden's effort to raise a significant 20th reunion gift. A paper written to prod the Development Office and future classes.
This document led to the decision by the Corporation to move ahead on the John Hay, Geology/Chemistry and Indoor Athletic Center projects, and the subsequent June, 1980, $25 million financing through RIHEBC.
Regarding a review of Brown University's investment management.
This memo to the investment committee led to the investment over of next year of approximately $1 million in "Sallie Mae."
Charter and other papers
Information for remarks to the Corporation re Mayor's Advisory Committee report. (Includes copy of Second Report of Mayor's Advisory Committee.)
In Time Magazine.
This is an important memorandum outlining what the Campaign did and did not accomplish.
Memo to Mark Curran.
A speech at CASE Summer Institute, Dartmouth College.
Prepared by Larry Robinson and Richard Seaman. This is an important document in that it is the only analysis of the Campaign and what it accomplished compared to its goals.
Remarks for 1959's 25th reunion book.
An analysis of Brown's stock holding by Larry Robinson, Deputy Treasurer
Concerning the need to issue a factual and definitive report on the Campaign for Brown. Babbitt's responses of January 10 and January 28, 1985 are attached.
There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Richard Ramsden Papers, OF-1CA-R1, Brown University Library.
Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
The Richard Ramsden Papers comprise the records created and collected by Ramsden over the course of his tenure at Brown University from 1977-1982. Ramsden served as Vice President for Administration and Finance and then as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. They have been organized into four series:
Series I. Selected and important Brown papers consists of correspondence, reports, and publications compiled by Richard Ramsden and which document his work with the University. Much of this material relates to financial matters, including the endowment, tuition costs and student assistance, compensation and benefits, and building campaigns. The material is arranged chronologically and dated from 1967 to 1984.
Series II. Annual reports contain Ramsden's reports to the President for fiscal years 1978-1980.
Series III. Committees includes Ramsden's files on his extensive service to the University, including membership on the Advisory Committee on University Planning (ACUP), the Budget & Finance Committee, the Campus Planning Committee, the Energy Task Force, the Faculty Policy Group, the Planning & Building Committee, the President's Advisory Group, the Brown-Tougaloo Committee, and the University Research Council. This material is dated from 1977 to 1982. It is arranged chronologically and then alphabetically by topic within each date range.
Series IV. Subject files consist of Ramsden's working files on a range of topics and administrative areas. They are arranged chronologically and then alphabetically by topic within each date range. This material is dated from 1977 to 1983.
The RIchard Ramsden papers have been organized into the following four series: Series I. Selected important Brown papers compiled by Ramsden Series II. Annual reports Series III. Committees Series IV. Files