Mss 033
1.2 c.f. (1 carton and 1 document box)

ABSTRACT

James Warren McClure, born in 1919, was a newspaper executive and publisher. In 1971 he sold the Burlington, VT Free Press and the Chambersburg, PA Public Opinion to Gannett Co., Inc., making him Gannett's largest individual stockholder, as well as their first vice president/marketing. McClure retired from Gannett in 1975 and created McClure Media Marketing Motivation Company, and later Ener/Gem Success Systems, Inc. McClure and his wife Lois began making substantial financial donations to major educational, health, and community organization projects in the early 1970s, and have continued to do so to the present. The collection consists primarily of their Donation Files regarding most of their major gifts.

ACCESS

This collection is open to the public without restriction. The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.

PREFERRED CITATION

Cite as: J. Warren McClure Papers, 1972-1998, Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, University Library, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis.

ACQUISITION

Presented by J. Warren McClure, Charlotte, VT, October, 1996. A96-44

Processed by Todd Daniels-Howell, November, 1998.

HISTORICAL NOTE

James Warren McClure was born on September 25, 1919, in Clairton, Pennsylvania to James H. and Elva Hageman McClure. He graduated from Ohio University in August, 1940, with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree and from Northwestern University in August, 1941, with an MBA. In 1942 McClure married Helen Oppegard, a fellow Northwestern student. After serving with the U.S. Navy during World War II, McClure entered the newspaper business as an advertising executive and business manager for the Grand Forks (ND) Herald. Early in 1952 McClure began seeking a position as a newspaper executive that offered the opportunity to obtain equity and eventually to become its publisher. By July, 1952 he had joined the Burlington (VT) Free Press, and in 1961 became the newspaper's major owner and publisher. Following a 1952 divorce, McClure married Lois Howe Ricker of Burlington in 1954. In 1971, McClure sold his newspaper holdings (including the Chambersburg (PA) Public Opinion, purchased in 1964) to Gannett Co. Inc. The sale made McClure Gannett's largest individual stockholder. At the same time he became Gannett's first vice president/ marketing and was elected to the board of directors. McClure retired from Gannett in 1975, but continued to serve on their board. He then started McClure Media Marketing Motivation Company, which conducted marketing and motivational seminars throughout the country and Canada, and developed the Ener/Gem Success System. The McClures began making substantial financial donations to major educational, health, and community organization projects in the early 1970s, and have continued to do so to the present. The McClures' philosophy of "giving with warm hands" is rooted in their religious faith. "Just as it is in God's nature to give to all of us," McClure writes in his Journal, "it is our belief that everyone is responsible to give to others. We feel that good works by Christian believers are the result of faith and that a true sharing of time, talent and treasures can be the key to abundant lives, satisfaction and joy."

RELATED MATERIALS

J. Warren McClure and Lois H. McClure, Mementos, (Burlington, VT: Lane Press, 1989).

J. Warren McClure, The J. Warren McClure Journal: 1919 and Ongoing!, (J. Warren McClure and Lois H. McClure, 1996).

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The J. Warren McClure Papers consist of four series: Donation Files, Personal Files, McClure Media Marketing Motivation Company Files, and Ener/Gem Success Systems, Inc. Files. The Donation Files form the core series of this collection. They contain correspondence, clippings, newsletters, and financial information that document many of the McClures' major philanthropic gifts. When viewed in conjunction with the McClures' published works (Mementos and The J. Warren McClure Journal) this series provides a fairly thorough understanding of the McClures' philosophy and approach to giving. The Personal Files consist largely of a sampling of J. Warren McClure's speeches relating to his marketing and motivational work as well as philanthropic philosophy of "giving with warm hands". The McClure Media Marketing Motivation Company Files consist of promotional materials and client letters, both of which provide an overview of the kind of work McClure was engaged in and give insight into McClure's success in business. The Ener/Gem Success Systems, Inc. Files, which consist primarily of the complete program that McClure developed, provide even greater insight into McClure's approach to business and life.

SERIES LIST