PAST TENSE :
William Koelsch’s book illuminates Clark history BY JIM KEOGH
spring 2012
“Check the Koelsch book.”
clark alumni magazine
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It’s the standard response to the innumerable questions that arise about Clark’s past. Why was anthropology professor Franz Boas’ research considered revolutionary for its time? What president of the United States delivered Clark’s 1905 commencement address? How did Clark students respond during war time, from the world wars through Vietnam? “Check the Koelsch book.” The Koelsch in question is William A. Koelsch, M.A. ’59, Ph.D. (University of Chicago), retired Clark archivist and professor of history and geography, and his book is “Clark University, 1887-1987: A Narrative
History.” The 270-page volume is the repository of Clark University history, researched and written over five years and published to coincide with the University’s centennial celebration. Koelsch recalls that in 1982 he convinced then-Clark President Mortimer Appley to give him time to prepare the Clark book for the 1987 centennial. They agreed on a five-year deal that would allow Koelsch to teach three courses in the fall, then have the spring semesters off to write the book. Crafting the book had its challenges, not the least of which was distilling a century of robust history into a manageable length, and ensuring the material was accessible for multiple audiences. Koelsch also was committed to making the book an accurate, honest accounting of Clark’s journey, which sometimes meant revealing uncomfortable truths about the University’s past — for instance, the lack of harmony between first president