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Title: |
Thomas D. Gradisher Journals and Travel Books, 1982-2004 |
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Repository: |
Archives and Special Collections, University Libraries, The University of Akron
Phone: 330-972-7670 http://www.uakron.edu/libraries/archives |
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Creator: |
Thomas D. Gradisher |
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Dates: |
1982-2004 |
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Quantity: |
0.5 cubic feet |
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Abstract: |
Thomas D. "Thom" Gradisher, a graduate of The University of Akron, was a United States diplomat who worked for the State Department from 1984 until 2004. He worked in Foreign Service, as Desk Officer in Washington, D.C., and as a Public Affairs Coordinator. His memoirs are titled Burning the Ambassador's Desk. |
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Identification: |
RG 99/251 |
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Location: |
Archival Services, University Libraries, The University of Akron |
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Language: |
The records are in English |
Thomas D. "Thom" Gradisher was born and raised in Barberton, Ohio. After graduating from Archbishop Hoban High School and a brief stint as a bricklayer apprentice, he joined the Marine Corps and shipped off to Vietnam in 1969. Upon his return and another short attempt at masonry, Gradisher enrolled at The University of Akron which would eventually lead to Bachelor Degrees in Theater and Mass Media and a Masters in Rhetoric. During this period he also performed in many theatrical pieces at The University of Akron, Peninsula Playhouse, and Chagrin Falls Little Theater. For a time, Gradisher worked as a stagehand at Blossom Music Center, E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, and the Akron Civic Theater. Gradisher joined the Foreign Service in 1982, beginning a 22-year career that took him to Zaire, Benin, Sri Lanka, India and Singapore. His two Washington, D.C. tours were as desk officer for India and Sri Lanka and then, his final tour, as Public Affairs Coordinator for Japan and Korea. Gradisher retired in 2004 when, he says, he "began to hear his name and the word Baghdad in the same sentence." Since then he has been living in the Chapel Hill area of North Carolina where he penned his memoir Burning the Ambassador's Desk and in his words "is trying to keep out of the way of history."
The Thomas Gradisher Journals and Travel Books document Mr. Gradisher's travels and work as a United States diplomat for the State Department from 1982 to 2004. The journals mostly document his work during his two tours as a desk officer in Washington, D.C. from approximately 1992 to 1996 and 1999 until his retirement in 2004. The other journals document his work in Foreign Service in places such as Sri Lanka, Madras, and Singapore. The travel books document Mr. Gradisher's travels and work in numerous countries, mostly in the Far East, especially India, Thailand, China, Korea, and Japan.
No restrictions on access; except not available through interlibrary loan. Copyright restrictions may apply. Permission to reproduce or publish materials in this collection must be secured in writing from Archival Services, University Libraries, The University of Akron.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
[Identification of Item], Thomas D. Gradisher Journals and Travel Books, Archival Services, University Libraries, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio.