The records in this collection document the administrational activities of Drexel University between 1934 and 1994, but mostly encompass William W. Hagerty’s tenure as president between 1963 and 1984. The collection consists primarily of two sets of subject files. An earlier set includes mostly papers that Dr. Hagerty inherited from the previous president, James Creese; these papers document the transition from the Creese to the Hagerty administration. A later set of subject files was created by Dr. Hagerty and his staff and reflects decisions made during his tenure. The collection also includes the outgoing correspondence of Dr. Hagerty and his staff, several of Dr. Hagerty's speeches, and some reports submitted to Dr. Hagerty from leaders of the colleges and divisions of Drexel University.

The Hagerty collection has been arranged into the following nineteen series:

Series I Accreditation - Includes documentation from the Middles States Association and other organizations affiliated with certification of Drexel’s academic programs and approval of the PhD program.

Series II Administration - Comprised of information on various departments within the administrative offices and personnel records. Includes one subseries on W.W. Hagerty specifically.

Series III Alphabetical Subjects – Miscellaneous folders from the subject files, including material such as the Bicentennial Celebration and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Series IV Alumni - Contains reports on the university for alumni, documents pertaining to the alumni association and surveys for alumni.

Series V Commencement – Programs, schedules and other documentation from commencements dating from 1970 to 1984.

Series VI Committees - Consists of the many committees the university implemented for planning and creation of procedures.

Series VII Computing - Documentation on the planning and implementation of the birth of computing at Drexel University.

Series VIII Correspondence - Outgoing and incoming correspondence, largely in chronological order, mostly from President Hagerty’s term as president.

Series IX Development and Planning - Documentation on various planning initiatives during Hagerty’s tenure, including the Hershey Conference, Peaks of Progress and Three Quarter Century Fund.

Series X Events - Programs, speeches, invitations, and correspondence about various campus events.

Series XI Facilities - Involves the planning and construction of various campus buildings as well as information on previously existing buildings.

Series XII Faculty - Salaries, contracts, procedures, visiting professors and fellowships of the Drexel faculty.

Series XIII Finance - Documentation regarding financial departments within the university such as Comptroller and Treasurer. Also includes information on aid received from the state.

Series XIV Inauguration - Materials include congratulations from various dignitaries and correspondence regarding Hagerty’s inauguration.

Series XV Institutional Relationships - Records related to the external organizations with which Drexel was involved during Hagerty’s tenure as president. Also includes institutions on whose boards Hagerty sat as well as names of local and national committees on which he served.

Series XVI Schools and Colleges - Information regarding the schools and colleges of the university such as awards, fellowships and annual reports. Includes one subseries on the College of Business Administration.

Series XVII Speeches - Speeches included were given by Hagerty or other administrative officers at events or functions related to Drexel University and other external organizations. Some functions include commencements, dinners and conferences.

Series XVIII Students - Documentation about various student organizations or activities.

Series IXX Surveys/Questionnaires - Includes surveys and questionnaires from external organizations. Also contains correspondence, listings, reports, minutes, summaries, and a guide.

Several of President Hagerty’ major initiatives are supported in the collection such as the creation of an administrative data processing system, expansion of the campus, the Hershey Planning Conference, Three Quarter Century Fund and other developmental projects. Also documented are various university activities and procedures including student organizations, faculty data, alumni information and events such as commencements and inaugurations.

Formats in most series include correspondence, memorandum, reports, meeting minutes, brochures, pamphlets, news clippings, publications and event programs. Graphic materials in the form of photographs and architectural drawings and plans are also included.