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
Ola Faye Nichols was an extension agent for Washington County from 1941 to 1955. She was born in 1912 in Alexander, Texas. She received her Bachelor of Science from Colorado State College in 1940 in the field of home economics, with a major in teaching. There she also minored in English, science, and clothing, and graduated with a scholarship rating of B+. Before coming to OSC, she was a home demonstration agent for a year with the University of Missouri, where she worked entirely in promoting leadership and teaching groups of men and women how to carry out community projects. She wished to move to a more progressive state, and was hired at $2,100 per annum. She was promoted to assistant professor in 1945, and associate professor in 1949. She took a year of sabbatical leave in 1953, which she spent studying the education and social sciences fields at Washington University, St. Louis. She was a member of the Home Economics Association and the American Association of University Women. In 1955, after a period of ill health, she resigned to return home to Texas and spend more time with her family. She resigned at a salary of $5,588.
Helen Hollandsworth was a home economics education instructor at Oregon State College in 1948. Hollandsworth was born in 1915, in Dondera, Montana. She received her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from Montana State College in 1937. As a graduate, she studied at Oregon State College and the University of California. She was still working toward her master’s degree when she began working at Oregon State. Before coming to work at Oregon State, Hollandsworth taught home economics at Albany Senior High School in Albany, Oregon. She was appointed as instructor in home economics education in 1948 at an annual salary of $3,300 on a ten month basis.
Harriett Evelyn Swaim was a supervisory teacher in home economics from 1941 to 1943. She was born in 1911 in Marshall, Indiana. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics with additional study in English, biological science, chemistry, and physical education, from Purdue University in 1932. She completed graduate work at University of Colorado and Purdue University, graduating from the latter with an Master of Science in Home Economics Education, with additional study in clothing and home administration, in 1940. Her thesis for her master’s degree was titled “A Comparison of Integrated and Problem-Discussion-Demonstration Methods of Teaching Home Economics.” Before coming to OSC, she worked as an assistant in home economics education at Purdue for three years, and taught home economics at various high schools throughout Indiana. In 1941, she was hired at $1800 for a ten month term. She resigned in 1943.
Joan Booth Kearney briefly held the position of Emergency Assistant at Large (Instructor rank) in 1946. She was born in 1922 in Toledo, Oregon, and began attending Oregon State College as an undergraduate in 1939, with a focus on child development and political science. Before finishing her degree, she spent three years working for the War Department at Camp Adair in the purchasing department. She returned to OSC and completed her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics in Spring 1946, and shortly thereafter applied for a position at the college. She applied and was accepted for the position of Emergency Assistant at Large (Instructor rank) to the tune of $2,400 per year, with the eventual likelihood of becoming a home demonstration agent in the future. At this point, her husband had recently returned from overseas, and the two were currently childless. Due to unknown reasons, Mrs. Kearney soon found it impossible to accept the position and withdrew her application. She passed away in 1992, at the age of seventy.
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.