Wallace L. Pretzer papers

Collection – Multiple Containers

Identifier: MS-1279

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

The Wallace L. Pretzer papers span from 1943 –2016 and document key activities in his personal and professional life as a Professor of English at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), particularly his involvement with the Xi’an Exchange Program, which he established. Includes photographs (mostly in binders), correspondence, articles, audiocassettes, and ephemera.

Dates

Creation: 1943-2016

Extent

2.1 Cubic Feet (5 letter, 1 half legal, and 1 legal archive box)

Creator

Pretzer, Wallace L., 1930-2019 (Person)

Content Description

The Wallace L. Pretzer papers document the period of 1943-2016 and contain photographs (mostly in binders), correspondence, articles, audiocassettes, and ephemera documenting Pretzer’s personal and professional life as a Professor of English at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), particularly his involvement with the Xi’an Exchange Program, which he established. The collection is arranged into two series: personal papers and professional papers. Pretzer’s personal papers document key moments in his life, including his elementary school years, his honeymoon with his wife Diane Pretzer, and his 80th birthday party. The professional papers document his career working with students and other professionals in the field of teaching English and teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at the undergraduate and graduate level, particularly the deep relationships he forged with studentse and colleagues. Included are English Language Institute staff group photos; an audiocassette conversation with Wu Xue-Wei, a fellow English Professor at BGSU; and an album documenting the TESOL 2016 International Convention and English Language Expo. Researchers interested in Wallace L. Pretzer’s personal and professional life, TESOL history, and the Xi’an Exchange Program should find this collection invaluable.

Biographical / Historical

Wallace L. Pretzer (1930-2019) was an English Professor at Bowling Green State University from 1963-1992, primarily teaching courses in English as a Foreign/Second Language and English linguistics to undergraduate and graduate students. He began and organized the Program in English as a Foreign/Second language from 1965-1992, working as a foreign expert on teaching writing and applied English linguistics/methods in teaching English as Foreign Language in China (1983-1984). Pretzer was married to Diane Pretzer, a professor of Romance Languages at Bowling Green State University. For more information see an extended obituary in the BG Independent News.

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.

Language of Materials

Materials predominantly in English; Postcards written to Diane Pretzer are written in German; some materials in relation to Wallace L. Pretzer’s work and travel with China are in Chinese.

Additional Description

Arrangement

The records are arranged in two series: 1. personal papers, 2. professional papers. The contents of each series are arranged by like item.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was donated to the Center for Archival Collections by the Wallace L. Pretzer estate via Joan and Robert Callecod, executors, in December 2019.