This collection is open for research.
Letters, notations, speeches, and miscellaneous papers created or collected by Roland R. Renne or the various Renne for Governor clubs were donated to Special Collections through Mary Bushing of Bozeman, Montana, on October 24, 1994.
Series 1 General Correspondence, 1963-1965
Series 2 County files, 1963-1966
Series 3 Contributions
Series 4 Miscellaneous
Roland Roger Renne was born on December 12, 1905 in Greenwich, New Jersey, the third of five children. Renne grew up helping his father farm and attended country schools. He applied for admission to Rutgers University and graduated with top honors in 1927. Renne went on to earn a PhD. in Agricultural Economics at the University of Wisconsin in 1930. Following his graduation he joined the faculty of Montana State College in Bozeman as an assistant professor. In 1943 Renne became president of the College, a position he held until his resignation in 1964, although he took several leaves of absence to work for the United States government overseas and in Washington, D.C. In 1964 Renne ran for governor in the state of Montana as the Democratic candidate and lost. After again working in Washington and overseas he returned to retire in the Bozeman area in 1972. He married Polly Wisner in 1932 and the couple had four children. Roland Renne died in Bozeman, Montana on August 30, 1989.
This collection was processed 2009 May 19
The Renne papers consist of correspondence, letters, reports, and memoranda created or gathered by Renne or the various Renne for Governor clubs which assisted him in his unsuccessful 1964 campaign. Arranged in four series the papers include letters outlining Renne's position on political issues such as agriculture, labor, taxes, primary election cross-over voting, land economics, and family. Other materials describe the organization of the various Renne for Governor clubs in most Montana counties, travel plans, and speaking engagements. Campaign advertising memorabilia is also included, as well as a draft outline of one of Renne's speeches.
Letters pertaining to the gubernatorial campaign of Roland R. Renne are arranged alphabetically by addressee and concern the following subjects: organization of county Renne for Governor Clubs; travel plans and speaking engagements; fund raising; issues such as agriculture, transportation, labor, taxes, campaign advertising, primary election cross-over voting, Land Economics, and family.
Letters and newspaper clippings arranged alphabetically by county name which report plans and responses to meetings. speeches, and fund raising activities. Responses to topics such as Beef Imports (Carbon County), Wildlife (Lake), Wheat Certificate Program (Madison), Oil and Gas (Toole), Higher Education (Missoula), and Main Issues of the Campaign (letter of 7-27-64, Missoula). The last files in this series pertain to statewide committees and campaign advertising.
Letters thanking contributors from county organizations, other groups such as labor unions, and individuals.
Files in this series are arranged alphabetically.
Primary Election results by county, outline of a speech by Dr. Renne made at Polson March l964, at a fund raising dinner, and other miscellaneous campaign notations.