Celebrating 100 Years of Women at NC State University

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1960

Doris Lane Garcia was the first woman to receive a degree in industrial engineering.


1960 - 1961

Twenty-five women were listed among the faculty. Besides Gertrude Cox and Ruth Hall at a rank of assistant professor or higher, there were Catherine Abruzzi assistant professor of economics; Sadie Jenkins Harmon, assisant professor of English; Anna Mae Harris, assistant professor of mathematics; Hedwig Hirschmann (now Triantaphyllou), assistant professor of plant pathology; and Ruth Marie Isham, assistant research associate in engineering research; and Sarah Lemmon, lecturer in history and political science. Among the women faculty, five had Ph.D.s, and Gertrude Cox received an honorary D.Sc. from Iowa State.


1961

In 1961 Anna Clyde Fraker became the first woman to receive an advanced degree in engineering, when she was awarded her M.S. in metallurgical engineering. She was also the first woman to receive a doctorate in ceramic engineering in 1967.

 


Photograph of Anna Clyde Fraker

Anna Clyde Fraker
Photographic Collection
University Archives, NCSU Libraries

 

 

 

Janice McLean Bireline was the first woman to receive a degree in engineering physics.

 

 

1962


Photograph of Flora Corpening Lester

Flora Corpening Lester
1962 Agromeck
University Archives, NCSU Libraries

 

Flora Corpening Lester was the first woman to receive a degree in mechanical engineering.

 


1963

Twenty-three years after Gertrude Cox's appointment, Eloise Cofer, extension professor of food science from 1963 and assistant director of the agricultural extension service was the second woman to be appointed a full professor. In 1980 Cofer was named home economist of the year by the N.C. Home Economics Association.

 

 

Photograph of Eloise Cofer.

Eloise Cofer
Photograph Collection
University Archives, NCSU Libraries

   

Women's enrollment had reached 308, and the Erdahl-Cloyd student center featured a special "coed" lounge.

 


1963-1964

Photograph of Cora Kemp.
Cora Kemp
1964 Agromeck
University Archives, NCSU Libraries

 

Cora Kemp was the first woman editor of the Technician.

 

1964

Ilona Marianne Evans was the first woman to receive a degree in nuclear engineering.

 



Photograph of Ilona Evans.

Ilona Evans
1964 Agromeck
University Archives, NCSU Libraries

   

Photo of Watauga Hall.

Watauga Hall
Photograph Collection
University Archives, NCSU Libraries

 

 

Women's enrollment reached 602. The sudden jump from 308 in the 1963 - 1964 academic year was the result of the establishment of degree programs in liberal arts. Watauga Hall was renovated as a dormitory for women, and undergraduate single women were required to live there.

 

Mary Ann Weathers was the first N.C. State woman student elected to the Honor Code Board.

The university produced a "Report on the Status of Women Students" March 3, 1964.
Faculty Senate Minutes, 1963 - 1964, pp. 91-95.
University Archives, NCSU Libraries

 


1966

Doris King became the third woman to serve as a full professor teaching in history and education in January 1966.

 


1967


Photo of Emily Quinn Pugh.

Emily Quinn Pugh
Photograph Collection
University Archives, NCSU Libraries

 

The fourth and fifth female full professors were appointed. Hedwig Hirschmann Triantaphyllou became a full professor of plant pathology and Emily Quinn Pugh became a full professor of adult education.

 

 


1968-1975

Carolyn Jessup was assistant director of student activities for women and later dean of women before becoming dean of student activities and then director of student health programs.

 



Photo of Carolyn Jessup.

Carolyn Jessup
Photograph Collection
University Archives, NCSU Libraries

   

 


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