This Collection documents the personal and professional life of Dr. David E. Purpel as an author, teacher, and mentor. The collection contains drafts of Purpel's articles and books, speeches, university materials, personal papers, research materials, correspondence, consulting materials, photographs, newspaper clippings, and audiovisual materials.

Some of the topics represented are faculty evaluation, Goals 2000, Judaism, hermeneutics, Sacred Heart Schools, moral education, teaching as a profession, and The University of North Carolina at Greensboro Department of Education.