Tom Sutherland, an Iowa State University graduate, was a professor of animal science at Colorado State University. He was serving as Dean of Agriculture at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, when he was kidnapped on June 9, 1985, and held in captivity for over six years. The collection contains newspaper articles covering his kidnapping, captivity, and release in 1991, and activities after his release.

Thomas M. Sutherland was born in Falkirk, Scotland, on May 3, 1931. He received his B.Sc. in agriculture from Glasgow University and received both his M.S. degree (1956) in animal science and Ph.D. (1959) from Iowa State College (University). Sutherland taught animal science at Colorado State University for twenty-six years and then in 1983 accepted a position as Dean of Agriculture at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon. While serving as dean, Sutherland was kidnapped by members of the Islamic Jihad on June 9, 1985. Released on November 18, 1991, Sutherland was held hostage for 2,253 days. Among the other Westerners held captive during this period, Sutherland's tenure was the second-longest, after journalist Terry Anderson. Sutherland later published a book with his wife Jean, At Your Own Risk, about his experiences.

Sutherland married Jean Murray with whom he had two children.

This collection (1985-2004, undated) contains news clippings and slides. The collection documents Thomas Sutherland’s kidnapping, captivity, release, and post-kidnapping activities. There are fifteen undated color slides of a speaking event, possibly at Iowa State University.

Related collections in the Special Collections Department include:

The collection is organized chronologically.