Ellen Sowchek, the longtime archivist at Pace University, has marked 42 years as the caretaker of the institution’s archives, according to a March 24 announcement. Sowchek said her role is to “care about Pace history and make other people care about Pace history.”
Sowchek’s work is significant because it preserves not only institutional records but also personal stories and community memories that define the university’s legacy. She manages requests ranging from alumni seeking confirmation of past coursework to visitors inquiring about campus statues.
When she began her job in April 1981, there was no formal archive at Pace. She recalled, “I knew nothing about Pace before I started here. It was the ideal situation for me because everything I learned came from reading through documents and processing the collections.” Over time, she has collected unique artifacts and stories—such as a recording of Edward J. Mortola describing his first day as Assistant Dean in 1947: “It’s kind of a cute story…my first day on the payroll of Pace I went swimming at Jones Beach.”
Sowchek has overseen efforts like documenting oral histories with key figures including Robert Pace and Charles Dyson, preserving memorials after September 11 such as a commemorative quilt and canine statue honoring search-and-rescue dogs, and curating special collections like that dedicated to Virginia Woolf. Of this collection, she said: “Smith College has a Virginia Woolf collection as well. Ours is just as good, if not better.”
Among her discoveries are personal items from founders Homer and Mabel Pace—including letters revealing family milestones—and even an unopened time capsule intended for One Pace Plaza’s cornerstone ceremony in 1967.
Sowchek continues to actively contribute to university life by maintaining these historical records for future generations. Her commitment ensures that “Pace’s rich history remains vivid and alive” for students, staff, alumni, and researchers.
