David W. Hackett Papers

Collection

Identifier: OCCP0003

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains Board of Trustees as well as personal correspondence, College reports, conference and workshop materials, meeting minutes, Board of Trustees documents, photographs, publications, news clippings and articles, materials documenting his involvement in professional organizations, and other records created and collected during his tenure as a Trustee.

Dates

1937 - 2005

Creator

Hackett, David W., 1923- 2005 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Refer to the Oakland Community College Archives Rules for Use of Archival Materials. Restrictions: Researchers may encounter records of a sensitive nature – personnel files, case records and those involving investigations, legal and other private matters. Privacy laws and restrictions imposed by the Library prohibit the use of names and other personal information which might identify an individual, except with written permission from the Director and/or the donor.

Biographical / Historical

Technically not a member of OCC’s Charter Board, David W. Hackett was appointed six months after the June, 1964 election to fill the term of Clifford Smart, who had successfully run for the Michigan Legislature, and so never actually served on the OCC Board. Earlier, Mr. Hackett had run unsuccessfully for OCC Trustee in the June election.

A communications specialist with the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theater during World War II, Mr. Hackett joined Michigan Bell Telephone after the war as a technician. It was he, through his Michigan Bell and army connections, that alerted the board about the possible availability of the Nike missile site that was to become the Auburn Hills Campus.

In 1967 Mr. Hackett resigned his Michigan Bell position and joined the Pontiac Teacher Corps to devote himself full-time to his main life interests – education, civil rights, women’s rights and the environment. He eventually retired as a teacher with the Detroit Public Schools.

At 30 years, Mr. Hackett was OCC’s second-longest serving trustee – first is current Trustee Sandra Ritter at 35 years. He was Board Vice Chair in 1990-92, and Chair in 1992-94, but failed in his bid for reelection in 1994. He was also the longtime OCC Board representative to the Southeast Council of Governments.

Mr. Hackett earned a PhB from the University of Detroit and a MAT from Wayne State University. He died on November 3, 2005, at age 82. Later that month the OCC Board of Trustees passed a resolution honoring Mr. Hackett’s service to the college and community.

Biography: https://www.oaklandcc.edu/founders/docs/DavidHackett.pdf#search=%22hackett%22

Extent

5.5 Linear Feet (1 MB, 3 SB, 1 OS)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

David W. Hackett served on the Oakland Community College Board of Trustees from 1964 until 1994. This collection is a reflection of his time on the Board and documents his activities as a Trustee, his involvement in SEMCOG, the State Board for Public Community Colleges, as well as portions of his personal life and life before OCC.