William J. Pearce Papers
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.
Dates
- Creation: 1950s-1990s
Access
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.
Use
Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from William J. Pearce.
Biographical
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).
Extent
12.0 Cubic Feet (12 record cartons, 2 over-sized boxes, 1 12"x9" box)
Language of Materials
English
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.
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
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.
- Yearbooks (2) and family photos.
- 0.1 cubic feet of personnel records from WXXI and the 1987 George Peabody award medallion.
- Title
- William J. Pearce papers
- Status
- In Progress
- Author
- Cheri Crist
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Local History & Genealogy Division Repository
115 South Ave.
Rochester 14604 USA
585-428-8370
585-428-8353 (Fax)
lochistref@libraryweb.org