Sager was a State Home Economics Leader with the Extension Service. Rachel Azalea Sager was a clothing specialist and Home Economics specialist from 1932-1952. Sager also served on the Oregon Nutrition Committee for 17 years. The Azalea House, named after Sager, is a women's cooperative.
Joan Patterson was a Professor of Clothing, Textiles, and Related Arts from 1940 to 1956. She was born in 1907 in Baker, Oregon. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design and Architecture from the University of Oregon in 1931, and later went on to obtain her graduate degree from UO in art appreciation and sociology in 1934. For her professional degree, her thesis discussed three interior design problems: oriental library, aviation waiting room, and one complete home. Before applying to be a professor, she was an extension agent in home furnishings at OSC, and previously worked as an instructor and research assistant at the University of Oregon. She also had been employed as an assistant decorator at the Meier and Frank Company in Portland, Oregon. She was said to have been “under observation” by OSC’s home economics department for a long time, which considered her very favorable for the home management specialist position. She published at least 24 articles in her field, including those on such subjects as “Color and its use in the home,” “Curtaining the home,” and “Home-made rugs--how to design and make them.” She served as the extension specialist in home furnishing for four years and was a member of the faculty for 29 years. She was an instructor until 1937, assistant professor in 1938, associate professor in 1940, and full professor in 1951. She served as acting head of the Clothing, Textiles and Related Arts Department in 1961-62. In 1949, she was appointed to Associate Textile Specialist in the Experiment Station in the Department of Home Economics, at an annual salary of $4,578 for ten months of service. She worked in experiment station research with the Oregon Flax and Linen Board, wrote bulletins for the extension service and agricultural experiment station, and was an advisor for at least thirteen master's theses. As an extension agent, she aided community members in furnishing their homes and public buildings, and made an important cultural contribution with her design of woven fabrics. She took sabbatical leave twice in her career at OSC. The first was from January to September of 1948 to do advanced study in Cranbrook, Michigan, for which she received a half-salary. When her sabbatical ran out, she took a leave of absence in 1949-50 in order to continue her research. She studied the “utilisation of flax yarn, principally from Oregon fiber, in upholstery and drapery fabrics.” This project held the promise of a “new market outlet” for Oregon flax. The Flax and Linen Board understood the research conducted by Patterson to be of “fundamental importance…to the Oregon flax industry.” Thus, they awarded her $500 for signing a memorandum of understanding between herself and the Flax and Linen Board, $50,000 upon submission of a report to the Board, and $1000 to reimburse her for purchase of materials and services rendered. She took another sabbatical in 1957 from March to June, when she visited craft centers and industry centers of textile design for inspiration in teaching and information, visited colleges and universities to study teaching, and designing textiles she normally did not have the time to do. In 1953, she was named one of five Oregon “Women of Achievement” for her contribution to “industrial development in Oregon.” An article was written about her recognition in the Gazette-Times. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority and the Episcopal Church.
Frances Ann Clinton Hall was a home demonstration agent at Oregon State College from 1930 to 1964. Hall was born in 1903, in Adna, Washington. She received her Bachelor of Science from the College of Puget Sound in 1925, and her Master of Science from Oregon State College in 1930. She was brought on to work at OSC as an extension agent at-large at an annual rate of $2,400. During her time as a home demonstration agent at-large, Hall served in various places in Oregon, such as Portland, Yamhill and Union County. Hall also worked on a wide array of projects in 1930. She helped revise nutrition extension material, prepared radio service material, and prepared the extension service’s exhibit at the Pacific International Livestock Exposition of 1930, as well as the State Fair. She also assisted with social service programs in Portland, such as Diets for Dependent Families. In 1931, she was assigned to serve in Multnomah County. Hall later became Assistant State Leader of Home Economics Extension in 1944, and in 1952, she became State Leader. She resigned in 1958 and got married and became a homemaker for a few years, but was soon widowed. She returned in 1961, and became an extension agent for Klamath County. She resigned in 1964.
Julianne Wise was a home demonstration agent in Union County, and later an Assistant Professor in Household Administration from 1943 to 1952. She was born in 1913 in Jerome, Idaho. She was single when she came to OSC. She attended University of Idaho and received her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from OSC in 1941. She then went on to earn her Master of Science from OSC in 1943, in Household Administration and Home Economics Education. Her thesis was titled “The Development of a Rating Scale for Girls Living.” Before applying to OSC, she was an elementary school teacher in Idaho for five years. She also worked as an instructor in home economics for two years at West Virginia University. There, she helped remodel an old house into a home management/nursery house. When OSC offered her a position, West Virginia University offered her a raise and an assistant professorship. But, since Wise was a “Western girl,” she chose to come to OSC at a yearly salary slightly lower than what West Virginia had offered. She succeeded Miss Marjorie Elleworth, who left to work as a dietitian in an army hospital. In 1945, there was confusion as to the appointment of Wise. Upon apparent recommendation of Dean Milam, Wise was appointed Assistant Professor in Household Administration. At the same time, she was also approved to continue her position as Union County Home Demonstration Agent. Both these positions were announced at the same time to the State Board of Higher Education, resulting in a “somewhat confused press announcement [indicating she] had been appointed to both positions.” In 1949, Wise, who lived in a House Management House at the time, found her workload too burdensome to continue living there. She applied for sabbatical leave, which was initially granted, although it was later rescinded in favor of having her continue to supervise the Home Management House, instructing her classes as usual, and helping “modernize” two Home Economics units, while helping plan the third unit of the Home Economics building. The next year, she applied for sabbatical leave again, to do research in the field of functional housing. She had also applied for a Fulbright award and for “work of a service nature” abroad. If neither application was accepted, she hoped to study high school curricula in housing and house management. Between 1949 and 1950, Wise appeared to have been married, and taken the surname Phinney. In 1952, she resigned from OSC to “go with her husband to his place of employment.” She resigned at at a yearly salary of $4400. She was a member of Omicron Nu, the National Home Economics Association, and the American Association of University Women.
Markie Annette Runckel (nee Weatherford) was an Instructor of Home Economics in 1946. She was born in 1923 in The Dalles, Oregon. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics, Clothing and Textiles, with additional study in education, from OSC in 1945. She then worked as an instructor of freshman clothing for a term at OSC. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Retailing from New York University in 1946. Her thesis for her master’s degree was “Two comprehensive store reports.” She had experience in department stores in Portland and New York City. She was hired for $2000 for a ten month term. In December, she reduced her teaching load to two-thirds. She married on December 19, 1946, and took the name Markie Weatherford Runckel.
Mildred Riedesel was an instructor in Foods and Nutrition from 1946 to 1948. She was born in 1916 in Ames, Iowa. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics Education from Iowa State College in 1939, and her Master of Science in Foods and Institution Management in 1946. Her thesis for her master’s degree was titled “Palatability of Frozen Pork as Influenced by Defrosting and Cooking Methods
Carolyn G Sullivan was an English instructor from 1942 to 1947, and was a graduate nursery school assistant for three years before that. She was born in 1912 in Corvallis, Oregon. She received her Bachelor of Science from OSC in 1937 in home economics and education. By 1940 she had completed all requirements or an Master of Science except a thesis. Her graduate field was household administration and child development, with additional study in education and psychology. Her thesis subject was “An Analysis of the Family Life Problems of 137 Freshmen.” She worked as a graduate assistant with State College Nursery School at OSC. Before coming to OSC in 1942, she gained experience as a home economics teacher at Independence High School, where she also was responsible for freshman English and the school library. She was also an English and typing instructor at Coos River High School in 1942. She spent some time as a clerical assistant and reference department page at the Oregon State College Library. In 1944, Sullivan had spent two years being hired by the term. She had been a civilian professor for some time and had been recently entrusted with responsibility for the Army Program. She requested a year’s contract for job security. She was then put on a yearly 10 month contract at a salary of $2270 per year. In 1947, she resigned to accept a position with the Long Beach City School System in California, which she hoped to use to further herself professionally and gain experience in a metropolitan area. She was married to J. A. Sullivan, with whom she had at least one child. She was a member of Delta Zeta, PEO Sisterhood, and the Methodist Episcopal Church.