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Gerard F. Boucher

Biography

Profile: Charles Dickens wrote A Tale of Two Cities.  If Graduate Scholar Gerard Boucher ever writes his autobiography he could title it A Tale of Two Careers.  Gerard has had two very distinct, very different vocations: the first, a computer system analyst, something he excelled at but grew to dislike; the other, a counselor to troubled young people, something he also excelled at and immediately loved.  At age 43, Gerard had a catharsis of sorts and he is thankful that it happened. Some people go through life never knowing where they fit in to the overall picture. The Worcester native overcame drug and alcohol addiction to earn his stripes in the business world.   Gerard’s personal experiences of understanding how tough a habit is to overcome helped him in his college courses and with the clients he works with who are going through their own personal issues. “There are many accomplishments for which I am proud, but there is no question that recovering from the depths of alcohol and drug addiction and the deep depression that it fostered was the most challenging and rewarding accomplishment of my life,” said Gerard.

Inspiration: For Gerard, all the inspiration he ever needed was a community college professor named Jean Kennedy.  Already in his 40s, Gerard arrived at the new school with a “systems analyst's concrete and scientific way of thinking about the world and its problems.”   It was Ms. Kennedy that opened his eyes to the importance of keeping an open mind, “accepting people for who they are in that moment and seeing their potential.” Most of all, Gerard said,  “Jean showed me that what is important is not to ‘fix’ people or their problems, but to help them to empower themselves and reach the goals that they set.”  Thanks to Jean Kennedy, Gerard said he has now fully embraced this empathetic and loving attitude toward those with whom he wishes to serve in his career as a mental health counselor.  

Aspiration: Gerard’s goal is to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor . . . and why this field?  When Gerard was dealing with his own addictions, he felt his life slipping away.  “Instead of giving in to the pain, fear, uncertainty, loss of friends, and the emotional crutch of drugs and alcohol, I walked through it, step by agonizing step. I made myself believe, against my better judgment, that I was worth the struggle and the effort, and that my life was worth saving. I knew that if I could get through it that I would someday devote my life to helping those who want to help themselves. After many years of struggle, I am now positioned, with the help of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, to attend graduate school and come ever closer to my dream.”  

Making a Difference:  Gerard is an active volunteer with the Massachusetts Association for the Blind as well as with the Worcester County Fathers and Family Network. 

Accolades: Throughout his academic career at Clark University, Gerard has consistently maintained a near perfect 3.95 GPA and has taken leadership roles in numerous research projects at the institution. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society and the Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology. Gerard was also named to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities and received the “You’re A Star” award for academic achievement and commitment to family and community.

Interesting Fact: Several years ago, Gerard was allowed to attend an open heart surgery as a "reward" for his writing a computer program that helped the cardiology department of the hospital where he then worked to qualify for a research grant.

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