Gerald Boicourt Papers

Accession Number: 
WSP000309
Extent: 
2 linear feet (2 SB)

Gerald Boicourt began his career working with students as the Assistant Superintendent at the Salt Lake City Boys’ Detention home from 1940 to 1941. He then served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, from 1941 to 1946. Upon his return home, he taught English in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, from 1946 to 1949. From there, he began as a research specialist for the State University of Iowa, and transitioned to the Supervisor of School Buildings for the Iowa Department of Public Institutions from 1950 to 1952. He continued his career in education at Wayne University in 1953 as an assistant professor in the College of Education. The university promoted him to an associate professor position in 1954, and then promoted him again to the professor of Education Administration in 1964.

During his tenure at Wayne State University, Dr. Boicourt served as the Director of Community College Survey from 1958 to 1962 and as a member of the Interdepartmental Administrative Group. Dr. Boicourt also conducted a six-county study of community college needs in the Metro Detroit region from 1959 to 1960, as well as an Oakland County study of community colleges in 1962. Additionally, he directed Wayne State’s study of community college students in cooperation with University of Southern California’s nationwide study and served on the advisory committee for Wayne State’s Educational Council from 1966 to 1967. In regards to his work as a professor, Dr. Boicourt taught courses regarding problems in metropolitan school administration and internship experiences in school plant planning.

Moreover, Dr. Boicourt worked as a consultant for Metro Detroit school districts including: Redford Union, South Redford, Hazel Park, Inkster, Detroit, Berkley, and Gibraltar. He also consulted for multiple school districts in Iowa, as well as for Springfield School District in Illinois.

Because of Dr. Boicourt’s focus on the administration of schools and his consultant work for Metro Detroit schools, this collection primarily contains administrative reports and school planning documents. This collection also contains clippings, correspondence, and research all related to his professional work within education administration.

Date: 
1954-1967, bulk 1962-1967
Attachment(click to download)
WSP000309.pdfWSP000309_guide.pdf94.14 KB