University women have history


Wednesday, March 25, 1998	University women have history By LEE WOMER Collegian Staff Writer Throughout history women have made numerous contributions that have improved society. However, in many instances the achievements of these women have gone unnoticed. That lack of recognition for women's accomplishments is why in 1987, both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives declared March Women's History Month.
(Collegian Graphic/Sean Brandt - click for full size image)	Over time, the accomplishments of women at the University may have either gone unnoticed or been forgotten. But, these women helped build the University from a tiny college in the middle of nowhere to the major institution of higher education it is today. One such woman was Teresa Cohen. When she arrived at the Pennsylvania State College in 1920, she was the only female faculty member in the Department of Mathematics. After a 42-year career as a professor, she retired but continued work as an unpaid math tutor until 1986. This devotion led the department to make the Teresa Cohen Service Award to recognize excellence in undergraduate teaching by both men and women. Thanks to pioneers like Cohen, there has been an increase in the involvement of women in the math department. Currently, 14 percent of all full-time faculty in the math department are women.
*"I don't think there's any doubt women are more involved than they used to be."* - Nancy Lowe, an English instructor at the University	"That number is lower than it should be," said Gary Mullen, chairman of the department. "But it is encouraging to note that 22 percent of graduate students and 38 percent of undergrads in the department are women." Like Cohen, Julia Gregg Brill helped open up opportunities for women in her department. Brill became the first woman professor of English composition at the college in 1922. She was the only woman in the male-dominated English department until World War II. "I don't think there's any doubt women are more involved than they used to be," said Nancy Lowe, an English instructor at the University. "They have become more involved in most types of professorships and directing programs."