Wallace L. Pretzer papers

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.