Charles McKenny was the 12th president of Michigan State Normal College, serving from 1912 to 1933. McKenny Hall, named in honor of Charles McKenny, was dedicated in 1931 as the student union and while it still bears the name it is now used for classroom instruction and administrative and program offices.

The Charles McKenny papers include the following files: researcher biographies, building dedication programs, materials regarding a bust of McKenny, press clippings, letters of condolence following McKenny's death, correspondence, CVs, genealogy papers, materials regarding McKenny's changes to the housing rules, office files, publications, including books and poetry, and copies of the MSNC songbook, dedicated to McKenny.

It does not include extensive documentation from the office of the president, e.g. correspondence, meeting minutes, memorandum, or major policy documents.