Skip to main content

Cranbrook Educational Community Vice President of Finance and Administration: George Herbst Records

 Collection
Identifier: 1992-21

Collection Scope

The bulk of the collection dates from 1984-1992. Materials include correspondence, reports, legal documents, and articles that pertain to all of Cranbrook Schools.

SERIES I: Properties (1966-1995; n.d.) includes documents relative to the acquisition, appraisal and sale of various parcels of land owned by CEC. Of particular interest is the subseries relating to Orchard Lake in West Bloomfield, MI.

SERIES II: Restoration (1973-1991) includes correspondence, project bids, proposals from architectural firms, timelines, and cost estimates pertaining to a variety of restoration projects across campus.

SERIES III: New Construction (1986-1993) SERIES IV: Administration and CEC Governance (1986-1992) consists of committees meetings relating to building and grounds and environmental issues around the Cranbrook property. SERIES V: Office of the President (1979-1992) contains materials relative to upper level personnel at CEC and includes correspondence, resumes, resignations, articles and presentations notes. SERIES VI: CEC Finance (1971-1989) contains financial statements and fund raising documents that pertain to the Cranbrook community.

Dates

  • 1966 - 1995
  • Majority of material found within 1984 - 1992

Access

Access to the collection is unrestricted.

Use

Permission to use collection materials must be requested in writing.

History

George Herbst earned a B.A. in Political Science from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio Texas (1960), and, an M.B.A from Notre Dame University (1971). He held positions at several prep and high schools, as a business manager before returning to St. Mary’s as assistant to the V.P. for Finance and Administration from 1970-1978. On January 26, 1986, President Lillian Bauder appointed George Herbst Vice President of Finance and Administration of Cranbrook Educational Community on January 26, 1986. Herbst severed as Director of Financial Affairs at University Liggett School in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. Prior to that, he had been in Catholic religious orders. As the community’s de facto chief operating officer throughout his tenure, Herbst was responsible for the community’s day-to-day administrative operations, including its capital projects and planning initiatives, finances and investments, legal actions, and human relations activities. Under his direction, Cranbrook embarked on several significant building projects, including the restoration of the Greek Theatre; the construction of DeSalle Auditorium; and renovations to Lerchen Hall, Kingswood School, Cranbrook House, and the Henry Booth Studio (the Cranbrook Archives), among other projects. He led the efforts to create Cranbrook’s first community-wide technology infrastructure, life-safety, and security systems. He also was instrumental in the acquisition of Thornlea and in the sale of various Cranbrook properties. In 1992, Herbst left Cranbrook to become the Vice President of Finance and Administration at the University of Dallas, Texas. He left that institution in 1996 to assume his present position as the Vice President of Business and Finance and Treasurer of Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. Throughout his career, Herbst has served on several community and professional boards, both locally and nationally.

Extent

4.2 Linear Feet (10 MS)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

George Herbst served as Vice President of Finance and Administration of Cranbrook Educational Community between 1986 and 1996. Herbst’s administrative duties included managing capital projects, finances, legal actions, and human relations. During his term, Herbst also oversaw numerous projects including restoration or construction initiatives for the Greek Theatre, Kingswood School, Cranbrook House, the Henry Booth Studio, and the DeSalle Auditorium. He was also involved in the acquisition of Thornlea and in the sale of various Cranbrook properties. Perhaps the most notable of his achievements surround the creation of Cranbrook’s first community-wide technology infrastructure, life-safety, and security systems. The collection includes materials relating to property acquisition, appraisal, and sales; correspondence, bids, proposals, etc. pertaining to building restoration projects; committee meeting minutes; documents pertaining to upper management including correspondence, articles, and presentations; financial statements and fund raising records.

Arrangement

The Cranbrook Educational Community Vice President of Finance and Administration: George Herbst Records have been arranged into six series:

SERIES I: Properties (Boxes 1-5) is divided into three subseries:

1) General (Box 1-3) 2) Orchard Lake Property (Boxes 3-5). 3) Finance Committee Binder (Box 5).

SERIES II: Restoration (Boxes 5-7);

SERIES III: New Construction (Box 8);

SERIES IV: Administration/CEC Governance (Box 8);

SERIES V: Office of The President (Box 8);

SERIES VI: CEC Finance (Boxes 9-10). Documents have been arranged alphabetically.

Additional Access

An index to the collection is available.

Acquisition

Transferred from the President’s Office in 1996.

Related Materials

CEC Assistant to the President Records (1990-20); CEC Office of the President: Lillian Bauder Records (1991-16); CIS Director's Office Records (1990-31); Henry Scripps Booth and Carolyn Farr Booth Papers (1982-05)

Processing History

Processed by Katie Selesky, July 2007.

Title
Guide to the Cranbrook Educational Community Vice President of Finance and Administration: George Herbst Records
Status
Completed
Author
Original finding aid written by Katie Selesky.
Date
2007
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Edition statement
Resource record created by Nichole L. Manlove.

Repository Details

Part of the Cranbrook Archives, Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research Repository

Contact: