By Mike Greife,
June 27, 2016
WARRENSBURG, MO – Missouri Sen. David Pearce has donated his official papers and memorabilia
from his career in the Missouri Legislature to the University of Central Missouri’s
Arthur F. McClure II Archives and University Museum.
Pearce joined Vivian Richardson, university archivist and assistant director of the
archives and museum; Amber Clifford-Napoleone, curator of museum collections, and
UCM President Chuck Ambrose in the McClure Archives Wednesday afternoon to review
the first delivery of boxed items. Pearce also presented Richardson with a personal
financial donation to the archives and museum.
A Warrensburg native, Pearce attended the university’s laboratory school, University
High School, until it was closed in 1976 and graduated from Warrensburg High School.
He attended UCM and received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural journalism from the
University of Missouri.
He was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2002 and served three consecutive
two-year terms in the House prior to his election to the Senate, where he served one
term representing District 31. After redistricting, he was elected to represent District
21 in the Senate. He currently is serving his second four-year term in the Senate,
and will retire from the legislature this year due to term limits.
Richardson and Clifford-Napoleone will sort through the items, assessing and indexing
the contents. Pearce then will review the contents with Richardson and Clifford, prioritizing
the items in the collection, which then will be made available to the public to be
utilized for study and research.
The Pearce family previously worked with the archives on the donation of documents
and memorabilia collected during the career of Pearce’s father, the late Clarence
Pearce, a longtime Warrensburg educator who taught agriculture courses at UCM and
University High School. Pearce’s decision to place his official documents and memorabilia
with the McClure Archives and University Museum came about as a result of conversation
with Richardson.
“I asked him what would happen to his papers and memorabilia, and we discussed the
possibility of housing the collection here at the UCM Archives,” Richardson said.
“We are very pleased that he made the decision to bring this collection to UCM. We
don’t currently have a collection of this volume in the archives. We will preserve
it create a digital finding aid for researchers.”
“This collection does hold significance for post-secondary education,” Ambrose said.
“Senator Pearce’s commitment to education has been exemplified throughout his legislative
career and service as chair of the Senate Education Committee. His ability to bring
people and ideologies together has significantly benefitted Missouri students.”
For more information about the UCM Arthur F. McClure II Archives and University Museum,
including upcoming exhibits and events, contact Richardson or Clifford-Napoleone at
660-543-4649, or visit ucmo.edu/archmusm.
