EXHIBITS
Women Leaders of the College of Family Life: Transition to a New College
Transition to a New College
In 1978, Dr. Joan R. McFadden became the new dean of the College of Family Life. She contributed significantly to the growing professionalization of the College because she emphasized the importance of research among faculty. She encouraged faculty to hold or attain doctoral degrees. [1] Dr. McFadden also was instrumental in increasing the amount of research funds received by the College. Her work on local and national boards led the way to College’s recognition nationally as a prestigious program. [2] Dr. McFadden was awarded the Purdue Alumni Award in 1992. [3] Dr. McFadden’s work secured the perception of Family Life as a professional and academic field.
Like Dr. McFadden, Dr. Bonita Wyse was dedicated to research within the college and was a celebrated food scientist herself. Wyse was appointed dean in 1984. The Department of Family and Human Development's first doctoral candidates were accepted in 1986. [4] By the end of Dr. Wyse’s leadership, the doctoral program was expanded to an interdepartmental program. [5] The Department of Family and Human Development also added a Gerontology Certificate and a Family Life Instructor certificate to continue the expertise of the department to all stages of life. [6] In order to better serve underprivileged populations, the College created a Deaf Education emphasis for undergraduates. [7] These new programs within the College were all key parts of the changes to make Family Life applicable outside of the home.
At the end of Dean Wyse’s leadership, the Department of Family and Human Development was enveloped into the College of Education and Human Services. Dean Wyse guided the department as they created new majors of “Family and Consumer Science” and “Family, Consumer, and Human Development.” [8] These programs added a larger focus on financial management within the family. Dean Wyse’s supervision of this transition to a new college is an important part of her legacy and of the history of the College.