U City Schools: the First Century

Last year marked the Centennial of University City schools, and Alan Spector, a local historian and  alumnus, wrote a book on the subject.  

At 7 p.m. April 19 at the , the Historical Society is hosting an evening at which Alan Spector will talk about and sign his book, University City Schools: Our First 100 Years.

The says, “This book celebrates the past, present and future of the District by exploring the rich history of tradition and change in our first 100 years. From stories of the District’s founders to a chronicle of the students, teachers, administrators and other staff who have walked the halls of District buildings, this book brings the past 100 years to life. In commemorating the past, the book also looks to the future of the District and the impact it will have in the next century.” 

Alan Spector ( Class of 1964) grew up in the schools and on the playgrounds and ball fields of University City and was recently selected for induction into the University City High School Hall of Fame. He has authored three previous books.

His second book, Hail Hail to U City High, was inspired by the continued closeness of his high school class, over four decades after they graduated. Spector says that he feels an obligation to give back to his schools and his class, because they were important in preparing him for life. He has been a guest lecturer in creative writing classes; he moderated a community-wide program that brought together alumni with the high school’s principal, students, and issues of today; and he writes and posts a weekly article that features one of his classmates, an activity that helps keep his class more closely connected.

Copies of University City Schools will be available for purchase ($50) and signing by the author.