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College Archives

SG9 Gordon J. Klopf Papers (1939-2002)

Biographical Note

Gordon John Klopf received his Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD in education from the University of Wisconsin. Upon completing his doctoral degree, Klopf joined an American Council on Education project in Japan providing personnel and guidance training to Japanese schools and colleges. In 1952, he returned to the United States and accepted a position as Dean of Students at SUNY Buffalo.

Klopf joined the faculty of Columbia University Teachers College in 1959. He came to Bank Street College in 1964 and served in various capacities, including Dean, Provost and Associate to the President, until his retirement in 1986. In 1982 he was awarded the John H. Niemeyer Chair in Innovative Leadership. After his retirement, Klopf remained active at Bank Street College as Dean Emeritus and Distinguished Scholar.

In 1987 he began his work with UNICEF, serving as Chair of the NGO Committee Working Group, Action for Children, NGO Committee Working Group on Education and the Executive Committee of Non-governmental Organizations Associated with the UN Department of Public Information. He served as a consultant for numerous entities, including major educational institutes, universities, and foundations. Klopf was a prolific writer on topics in the fields of guidance and personnel.


Scope and Content Note

This collection documents Gordon Klopf's work at Bank Street College from 1964 to 1986 as well as other personal and professional activities.

Descriptions

Select a series below for further information.

  • SERIES A - Correspondence (1939-2002)

    Contains correspondence in chronological order.


  • SERIES B - Lectures, Conferences and Publications (1947-1993)

    Consists of lectures and speeches given at various conferences and Bank Street College events; materials from conferences attended by Klopf; and published articles and reports as well as unpublished writings, drafts and notes.

  • SERIES C - Faculty Affairs

    Contains tributes to Ibby Gilkeson and Garda Bowman as well as photographs of Bank Street College faculty and staff.

  • SERIES D - Course Materials (1952-1999)

    Includes materials from various courses taught by Klopf at Bank Street, Parsons Summer Program and Long Island University.

  • SERIES E - Personal and Biographical Materials (1941-1998)

    Includes curriculum vitaes, photographs, tributes, scrapbooks, clippings, personal correspondence and his doctoral dissertation and diploma from the University of Wisconsin. Also included are records from his work with UNICEF.

  • SERIES F - Arts in Education Committee (1967-1973)

    Contains administrative materials from projects conducted by the committee. The Arts in Education Committee was organized in 1967 to encourage more widespread adoption of the belief that creative experience for children is essential to their education and intrinsic to the total process of learning and teaching.

  • SERIES G - Principals Project (1970-1975)

    Contains questionnaires, evaluations and competency ratings from participating principals. Developing the Role of the Elementary School Principal as an Educational Leader was a professional development project conducted by Bank Street College.

  • SERIES H - Other Projects (1961-1980)

    Includes materials from various studies including Auxiliary Personnel in Education and Preparation of School Personnel for Working with Disadvantaged Children and Youth.