Summary |
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| Creator: | Troyer, Maurice E. (Maurice Emanuel), 1903- |
| Title: | Maurice E. Troyer Papers |
| Dates: | 1942 - 1970 |
| Size: | 0.5 linear ft. |
| Abstract: | Writings of Maurice E. Troyer, professor of education at Syracuse University |
| Language: | English |
| Repository: |
University Archives, Special Collections Research Center Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600 Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/university-archives |
| Sponsor: | The processing of this collection was made possible through the generosity of Marion W. Meyer G'55. |
Biography
Maurie E. Troyer (1903-1997) was a professor of educational psychology in the School of Education at Syracuse University.
Although a good deal of Troyer’s time at Syracuse University was actually spent on leave as an administrator at the International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan, he remained a fixed part of the School of Education. His contributions as a professor, administrator, and later, as the head of the Evaluation Services Center, were undeniable.
Maurice Emmanuel Troyer was born on August 24, 1903 in McLean County, Illinois. He was raised by Rev. Emmanuel Troyer and Ida Horst Troyer, a Mennonite pastor and his wife. His Christian upbringing provided a strong foundation for subsequent professional emphasis on values and his work in the International Christian University. Troyer married Arvilla Sprunger in 1925 and together they raised their three children, Joan, Robert, and David. He attended Bluffton College for undergraduate studies and Ohio State University for his master’s and doctoral work, receiving his degrees in 1923, 1930, and 1935, respectively. He worked in both of these institutions and other public schools until he was hired by Syracuse University in 1936.
Troyer joined the School of Education faculty as an assistant professor of educational psychology and higher education. He took a short leave of absence in 1940 in order to work for the Association in Evaluation American Council on Education. Returning to the University in 1943, he was granted full professorship and was named director of the Bureau of School Service. His general area was educational administration, measurement, and evaluation, but his research often focused on the development of values, beliefs, and attitudes in education. Troyer was named head of the Evaluation Services Center in 1945, and he guided the University through its first self-survey aimed at long term improvements. He also co-directed a study to compare the general trends in student beliefs and values from 1926 with students in 1968. Using a questionnaire and data that was originally created and gathered by Floyd H. Allport and Daniel Katz in the late 1920s for comparison, the updated survey served to analyze what changes had occurred in the opinions of Syracuse University students.
In 1950, Troyer was again granted leave by the University in order to go to Japan and aid in the development of the newly-opened International Christian University (ICU) on the outskirts of Tokyo. ICU was established in 1945 by Japanese Christian educators as a new form of higher education. The first four-year liberal arts college in the nation, ICU worked in Japan and abroad to create an international, democratic education experience as part of the post-war rebuilding effort. Troyer went to ICU first as an advisor in 1948 and again in 1950 as vice president. He and his wife Arvilla settled into their new responsibilities enthusiastically, contributing greatly to the efforts to combine Eastern and Western approaches to education. He served as an administrator and educator while the school was in its early years, she taught English and imparted American traditions to interested students and staff, and together they hosted their students and peers at their home, an informal way to build bonds with their students in a traditionally formal society. During his fifteen years at ICU, Troyer also served as the Director of Research Projects on the Values and Consequences of Higher Education. His work was so well received that the Japanese Minister of Education bestowed upon him the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 3rd class, an award to acknowledge his many years of service to the country.
Although he had returned as a visiting professor in 1964, in 1966 the Troyers returned to Syracuse for good, and Dr. Troyer resumed his position in the School of Education. He continued his research on values for several more years, working under a Rockefeller grant. He ultimately retired in June 1971 as chairman of the department of administration in higher education.
However, his official retirement did not mean an end to his role in the field. Troyer continued to advocate for international education opportunities and cooperative cultural advancement. He travelled and taught under the Fulbright-Hays Act during the 1970s, then continued to lecture and advise both overseas and around the United States. He passed away on December 19, 1997 in Spring House, Pennsylvania.
Scope and Content Note
The Maurice E. Troyer Papers consist of published material dating from 1942 to 1970. The articles, reports, and published discussions contained in this collection were products of Troyer’s efforts, both individual and co-authored. These scholarly publications focus on a variety of educational topics, such as values among students and teachers, program evaluations, and studies on students and administrative units. There are also brochures that mention Troyer or show him engaged in school activities from his time at the International Christian University.
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.
Use Restrictions
Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.
Related Material
In addition to these papers, the Syracuse University Archives also holds a clipping file and a portrait file for Maurice Troyer.
Selected Search Terms
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Maurice E. Troyer Papers,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisition Information
Gift of Dr. Maurice E. Troyer in 1967 and 1970.
Processing Information
Materials were rehoused in acid-free folders and archival boxes. Staples and other damaging materials were removed.
Finding Aid Information
Created by: Mary Skaden
Date: 2013
Revision history: Dec 2023 - Item added to Conferences, lectures, and workshops folder. Collection
dates updated (VSOM)