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.
Rebecca K. Johnston was a county extension agent for Oregon State College from 1949 to 1952 and from 1956 to 1958. Johnston was born in 1925, in Marshall County, Kentucky. She received her Bachelor of Science in Vocational Home Economics from Western Kentucky State Teachers College in 1946. She was a member of the National Education Association and the National Vocation Association. Before coming to work at Oregon State, Johnston taught home economics at an Illinois high school. Johnston made the move to Oregon to be closer to her mother, a resident of Grant County. She was hired by Oregon State to work in Crook County at an annual salary of $3,480. She resigned in 1952, but came back to work in 1956, where she was assigned as an extension agent in Malheur County. She resigned in 1958 to accept a position as an extension agent in Alaska.
Isabella Franklin McQuesten was a Professor of Adult Education and Home Economics Education, employed at OSC from 1948 to 1974. She began her career with a salary of $4,500. She was born in 1910 in Phoenix, Arizona. She received her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics Education from the University of Arizona in 1932, and completed graduate work at the University of Arizona, Cornell University, and OSC, receiving her Master of Science in Home Economics Education and Household Administration from the latter in 1939. Her master’s thesis was titled “Student Progress in Paired Foods Classes--Grade Time Method Specified.” Before coming to OSC, she was an assistant professor in home economics education at the University of Arizona, an assistant teacher trainer, and a visiting professor/lecturer for summer sessions at various colleges, including OSC. She co-authored a number of monographs with Faye C. Jones at the University of Arizona, and published a number of articles in her field. She was an active member of student life during her undergraduate time at the University of Arizona, as a member of several organizations, including holding the presidency of Kappa Omicron Phi. She was a member of numerous vocational organizations, including the American Home Economics Association and the Arizona Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. She was often active in designing curricula and teaching materials, and participated in such programs and boards long before coming to OSC. While at OSC, she remained deeply involved in teacher education and curriculum design, and was on several committees to that effect, including the Curriculum Committee, the Faculty Selection Committee, the Teacher Education Program for Divison, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. She was an Associate Professor in Home Economics Education, and was granted full Professorship in 1968. In 1969, she transferred most of her focus to Adult Education. In 1974, the two heads of her departments felt it was appropriate to confer upon her joint emeritus appointments.
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.
Myrtle Mae Carter was a home demonstration agent for the Federal Cooperative Extension at Oregon State College from 1942 to 1957. She was born in 1906, in Grants Pass, Oregon. She received her undergraduate education from Bahnke Walker Business college in 1928, and her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from Oregon State University in 1940. She received her Master of Science from Oregon State College in 1942, and as a graduate, she also attended Columbia Teachers College. Her master’s thesis was titled, “Study of the Household Management Practices of Married H. Ec. Graduates of O.S.C. between the Years of 1925-29 and 1935-39”. Before becoming a demonstration agent, Carter worked as a supervisor at the Withycomb House at Oregon State and was a graduate assistant in the Household Administration in 1941. She was hired as an extension agent in 1942 and represented Umatilla County. Her annual salary was $2,694. Carter was also listed as a widow in 1942. In 1944, she became a home demonstration agent at-large.