William J. Pearce Papers, 1950s-1990s

Summary

Abstract:
The William J. Pearce papers consist of materials related to Pearce's career in educational television. The papers, which date from the 1950s to the 1990s, also include Pearce's military service, his involvement with the Philosophers' Club, his long history in public television, and his passion for Native American culture, which can be seen in his work with the Friends of Ganondagan and the Native American Public Telecommunications. Pearce is the recipient of two Peabody Awards.
Extent:
12.0 Cubic Feet 12 record cartons, 2 over-sized boxes, 1 12"x9" box
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

William J. Pearce Papers, [Box#, Folder#], Local History and Genealogy Division, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County N.Y.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection documents the activities of William J. Pearce, who served as president and general manager of WXXI-TV, AM/FM from 1969 to 1996. The majority of the materials are related to Pearce's time at WXXI and include correspondence, photographs, drawings, and production notes, as well as items about WXXI's history. Other topics include Pearce's involvement with the Native American Public Television Association and the Ganondagan State Historic Site, his naval service, and his history of service in educational television. Pearce is the recipient of two Peabody Awards.

Biographical / historical:

William J. Pearce

Education

1942-1946 US Navy

1949-1951 University of Miami Coral Gables, B.A. English literature.

1953-1955 University of Connecticut 32 hours education courses.

1958-1959 Syracuse University Graduate School, M.S. Radio and Television.

1976 Harvard University – Advanced Management Development Program.

1982 Warton School, University of Pennsylvania Executive Management Program.

Career

1955-1956 Teacher, East Lyme Connecticut School District.

1956-1958 (Tokyo Japan) Teacher, Department of Air Force Dependent School and Sakakabara English Language School.

1959-1961 TV Producer/Director, New York State Department of Education.

1961-1965 Director Radio-Television program, Brown University.

Advisor to Gov. John H. Chafee of RI.
Consultant to governor's advisory committee on educational television.
Consultant to WJAR-TV in Providence RI.
Vice-president and faculty advisor of WBRU-FM at Brown.

1966-1969 Executive Producer for television instruction, Rochester City School District.

1969-1996 President and General Manager, WXXI-TV, AM/FM.

1984-1985 Lecturer, Department of Communications, SUNY Brockport.

1966-2008 Media Consultant.

Awards

1987 Peabody – TV Production of "Safe Haven."

1994 Peabody – Radio production of "Fascinatin' Rhythm."

1985 ABA Silver Gavel Award Public Affairs Programming.

1987 ABA Silver Gavel Award Public Affairs Programming.

Organizations

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Board of Directors.

Native American Public Broadcasting, Consortium Member.

PBS Elementary/Secondary Advisory, Board Member.

NYS Broadcasters Association, Board of Directors.

University Club of Rochester, Board of Directors.

Eastern Educational Programming Network, Vice President of Programming.

Rochester Radio Reading Service, Board of Directors.

Association of Public Broadcasting of New York State, Chairman.

WBRU-FM Radio, Vice President.

Brown's Race Association, President.

Legislative run, District 1, Citizen Potawatomi Nation, 2007 (lost by a single vote 61-60).

Custodial history:

The collection was donated by Margaret Pearce.

Processing information:

This project was made possible by a grant from the Documentary Heritage Program of the New York State Archives, a program of the State Education Department.

Arrangement:

This collection consists of twelve boxes divided into two subcollections:

Sub-collection I: WXXI papers

Sub-Collection II: William J. Pearce Professional papers

Physical location:
Rundel Memorial Building, Shared Stacks, Range L, Shelves 1-7
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

William J. Pearce retains Intellectual Property Rights but grants permission to RPL to make Fair Use copies for users of the material for scholarship and research purposes.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from William J. Pearce.

Preferred citation:

William J. Pearce Papers, [Box#, Folder#], Local History and Genealogy Division, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County N.Y.

Location of this collection:
Rundel Memorial Building
115 South Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
585-428-8370
lochist@libraryweb.org