The Boehner Papers
A Legacy of Public Service
The second of 12 children, John Boehner was raised in a Catholic, working-class family, graduated from Xavier and rose to become the 53rd Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Following his retirement from public service, Speaker Boehner transferred his papers to his alma mater, Xavier University, along with historic artifacts documenting every decade of his long career in public service, culminating with his final five years as Speaker of the House. This investment and related fundraising by the former Speaker creates opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to study public policy, experience real-world learning, and become solutions-oriented leaders.
The Boehner Papers consists of two main components: a physical archive of historic memorabilia, and a fund that promotes experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students. The Boehner Papers tell the story of Speaker Boehner's experiences as a bipartisan leader and, as he has said, it is his hope that students will be inspired through messages of servant leadership, hard work, mentoring, and the power of Catholic education.
The Boehner Papers Archive
In 2016, former Speaker of the House John Boehner donated his congressional papers to Xavier's University Archives and Special Collections. The papers contain administrative, legislative, press, and campaign records of Speaker Boehner and his office, primarily from 1989-2015. Major topics covered in the papers include the House Bank Scandal (1992), the Contract with America (1994), education reform and No Child Left Behind Act (signed into law January 8, 2002), and the Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004. The Boehner Papers give students and scholars the opportunity to study, understand, and learn from Speaker Boehner's experiences in Congress and his record of bipartisan leadership in the House.
Experiential Learning
The John Boehner Fund helps provide opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to study public policy, experience real-world learning, and become solution-oriented leaders. Thanks to generous donations, this fund has provided student internships, service-learning opportunities, and other vocational experiences related to public policy for students from the following academic programs and affiliations: Political Science, Philosophy, Politics, & the Public (PPP), and the Williams College of Business. Since 2018, a wide variety of educational and professional opportunities have been supported for students who have a passion for politics and public service. Past opportunities have included Congressional Internships, Student Group Experiences, and funding for political science faculty and student research projects.
PPP students travel to a presidential rally
Undergraduate students collaborate with faculty on political science research
Testimonials
Experiential learning is made possible by the John Boehner Fund
My experience within the halls of Capitol Hill reaffirmed my passion for public service and solidified my desire to return to D.C. after my graduation from Xavier.
Garrett Willie
Intern for the U.S. House of Representatives, 6th District of Ohio
PPP, Class of 2024
My hope is that for generations to come, [the Boehner Papers] will encourage young people to get involved, make connections, and open the doors to lives of public service.
John Boehner
Speaker of the House
2011-2015
This opportunity allowed me to grow, not just professionally, but as a whole person. My time as an intern provided me the chance to step into a space that a younger me thought would be completely out of reach.
Justice Dickey
Intern for the U.S. House of Representatives, 12th District of Illinois
PPP, Class of 2024