US universities began wave of overseas institution building in 1950s, largely sponsored by fed govt. Harold Stassen was prime mover. Universities became important diplomatic actors. Studying this project opens new angles on US development/modernization work @SHAFRhistorians #usih Large chunk of universities' overseas institution building was in the field of public administration. Many elites believed pub ad was critical for bringing modernity to developing countries. Part of modernization was about creating large-scale organizations. @ASPANational