Charters, Alexander N.

Alexander N. Charters was born on August 22, 1916 in Verdant Valley, Alberta, Canada. He earned a B.A. in history and English from the University of British Colombia (1938) and a PhD in adult education from the University of Chicago (1948). At the University of Chicago he studied under Cyril O. Houle. His interest in adult education was encouraged by his aunt and uncle, Jessie and W. W. (Wallace) Charters, both of whom were active in the field. During his service in the Canadian Navy, reading material provided by his aunt and uncle sparked his interest in adult education. When Dr. Charters decided that he wanted to attend graduate school, he discussed career possibilities with his Uncle Wallace. Dr. Charters began his career in the field of adult education in 1948 when he was appointed Assistant to the Dean of University College at Syracuse University. Since that time he has served Syracuse University in the following capacities:

Assistant Dean of University College (1950-1952) Assistant Professor of Adult Education (1950-1954) Head/Director of Library of Continuing Education (LCE) (1950-1965) Chairman Adult Education, School of Education (1950-1980) Dean of University College (1952-1964) Associate Professor of Adult Education (1954-1959) Professor of Adult Education (1959-1983) Vice President for Continuing Education (1964-1973) Head/Editor, Syracuse University Publications in Continuing Education (SUPCE) (1964-1983) Director/Head, Syracuse University Resources in Continuing Education (SUREA) (1965-1983)

During his tenure at Syracuse University, Dr. Charters actively encouraged his fellow professionals and organizations with which he was involved to donate their personal papers and organizational records to the Special Collections Research Center at Syracuse University. As a result, the library has more than 55 manuscript collections on the subject, as well as thousands of adult education-related books, pamphlets, photographs, dissertations, audiovisual items, and journals. The collection is considered the largest English-language adult and continuing education archives in the world.

Professionally, Dr. Charter has participated in and provided leadership to many national and international adult education organizations, and has attended and provided leadership for numerous international conferences including the International Conference on Adult Education (Tanzania, 1976; Buenos Aires, 1985; Bangkok, 1990), International Congress of University Adult Education (Denmark,1965; Montreal, 1970; Ghana, 1976), and UNESCO (Sydney, 1964; Geneva, 1972; Tokyo, 1972; Paris, 1985). Organizations with which Dr. Charters has been most involved include the following:

National: ACHE - Association for Continuing Higher Education (president, vice president) CAEO - Coalition of Adult Education Organizations (chair) CPAE - Commission of Professors of Adult Education CSLEA - Center for the Study of Liberal Education for Adults (board member, chairman, secretary) ERIC - Educational Resources Information Center UCEPR - University Council on Education for Public Responsibility (chair) Galaxy Conference (chair) United States National Commission on UNESCO (steering committee) International: CSRCAE - Committee for the Study and Research in Comparative Adult Education (1st chair). In 1992 this organization became ISCAE (see below). ICAE - International Conference on Adult Education (board, documentation chairman) ICUAE - International Congress of University Adult Education (executive committee) ISCAE - International Society for Comparative Adult Education UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization WCOTP- World Confederation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession

Alexander Charters served as a consultant to Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (MSA), Universidad Simon Rodriguez (Caracas, Venezuela), Kingsborough Community College (New York) and Zimbabwe Distance Education College. He has authored numerous articles on adult education including many dealing particularly with comparative adult education. He has been honored with, among others, the Bittner Award (NUEA), the Pioneer Award (AEA/USA), and the William Pearson Tolley Award for Distinguished Leadership in Adult Education (Syracuse University). Upon his retirement from Syracuse University in 1983 he was honored with the title Professor Emeritus.

Since his retirement in 1983 Dr. Charters has maintained a leadership role in adult education organizations, including lectures, presentations, consultations, and other contributions. He continues his long-standing interest in the documentation of the history of adult education, working with Syracuse University Libraries to collect, preserve, and make accessible monographs, journals, and important personal and organizational papers.

Outside of his professional interests, Dr. Charters has been involved in numerous community activities including the Council on Aging, the Metropolitan Syracuse Committee on Adult and Continuing Education, Urban League, and the Thursday Morning Roundtable. He is a long-standing member of Rotary and an active member of Park Central Presbyterian Church in Syracuse, New York.

From the guide to the Alexander N. Charters Papers, 1939-1991, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)