This annual publication presents six articles on historical aspects of higher education. The first article is "The Urban Catholic University in the Early Twentieth Century: A Social Profile of DePaul, 1898-1940" by John L. Rury. It traces student characteristics during this period from primarily the sons (and later daughters) of European immigrants to increasing diversity and emphasis on training professionals. The second article, "In the President's Opinion: Robert Maynard Hutchins and the University of Chicago Department of History," by Philo A. Hutcheson, focuses on conflicts between the curricular goals of Hutchins and those of the faculty, particularly the history department faculty. The consequences of Hutchins' attempt to use his knowledge illustrates the nature of presidential power at a research university. Third, "The Politics of Opportunity: Philanthropic Fellowships, Out-of-State Aid, and Higher Education for Blacks in the South," by Jayne R. Beilke, describes the development of fellowship programs prior to the 1950s for blacks in the South who desired doctorate degrees. The fourth article, "The Political Culture of American's Antebellum Colleges," by Paul H. Mattingly assesses the evangelical and political context in which these institutions grew. The fifth article, by David B. Potts, reports on a historical research study and is titled: "Trustee Demography and Shifts in Institutional Identity: Wesleyan University, 1831-1993". Following the articles is a review essay entitled "Historical Sociology Meets the Credentialing Society" by John F.P. Halsey and W. Bruce Leslie. The purpose of the essay is to review David K. Brown's book, "Degree of Control! A Sociology of Educational Expansion and Occupational Credentials," which examines the process that caused American institutions to pioneer broadly accessible "mass" higher education between 1880 and 1930. The final section of the document contains summaries of recent dissertations on the history of higher education. (Individual articles contain references.) (DB)