History of the
College of Human Ecology
Founded in 1873 as one of the first two domestic science programs in the country, K-State's College of Human Ecology is distinguished by faculty and students who work on the leading edge in teaching, research and outreach. K-State also holds the distinction of being the first land-grant institution and having the first home economics building in the world (Domestic Science Hall, c. 1899). In recognition of our achievements, 13 buildings on campus are named in honor of administrators and faculty members affiliated with the College of Human Ecology or its predecessors, domestic science and home economics. Throughout our extensive and productive history, the College has served as the “flagship institution” for home economics and human ecology programs throughout the nation and world.
Timeline of the College of Human Ecology
- 1873: President John A. Anderson instituted a term of “Farm and Domestic Economy” in December.
- 1887: Mrs. Nellie S. Kedzie became first woman professor. She taught sewing, household economy, hygiene and cooking, and developed postgraduate two-year teachers’ course; her students became heads of home economics departments around the country.
- 1897: Four four-year curricula adopted by Kansas State Agricultural College; one was Household Economics and Domestic Art.
- 1898: Domestic Science Hall dedicated, believed to be first building for home economics in world. (Renamed for Kedzie in 1902.)
- 1908: Home Economics Hall built. (Named Calvin Hall in 1925 for Mrs. Henrietta Willard Calvin, professor of domestic science.) Mrs. Mary Pierce Van Zile became Dean of Women her second day on the job. Her deanship also included the Departments of Domestic Science and Domestic Art as well as Physical Training.
- 1918: Dr. Helen B. Thompson, Dean, Division of Home Economics. Dean Thompson taught nutrition courses, developed research program in nutrition. Human Nutrition transferred from Chemistry to Home Economics. Graduate program began; master’s degrees emphasized.
- 1919-1920: Division of Home Economics divided into four departments. Domestic science became two—Household Economics and Food Economics and Nutrition. Home Art became Applied Art, 1919; Domestic Art became Clothing and Textiles, 1920.
- 1923: Dr. Margaret M. Justin became youngest dean in country. Served 31 years as dean, longest period of any head of home economics at KSU. Served during the administrations of three presidents—William M. Jardine, Francis D. Farrell and James A. McCain.
- 1924: First interior decoration class taught.
- 1925: KSAC awarded first three honorary doctoral degrees ever given to women—Henrietta Calvin, Nellie Kedzie Jones, and Abby Marlatt.
- 1926: Institutional Economics, fifth department, created, Dean Justin was acting head until Bessie B. West took position in 1928. Nursery school opened in Calvin Hall, believed to be the first tax-supported nursery in the United States.
- 1928: New department of Child Welfare and Euthenics.
- 1936: Name change from Institutional Economics to Institutional Management Department.
- 1942: Division of Home Economics became School of Home Economics.
- 1947: Name change to Department of Foods and Nutrition.
- 1951: Manhattan flood, over half of city under water. Home economists took leadership role, served meals continuously, boiled water for entire campus, served trays to those in bed, made baby formula.
- 1954: Dean Justin held faculty position after stepping down as dean July 1, 1954. Dean Justin took a medical retirement in 1956; died June 10, 1967. Dr. Doretta Schlaphoff Hoffman became dean.
- 1955: Name change to Department of Family and Child Development.
- 1957: Ground breaking ceremony for future Justin Hall.
- 1959: Kansas State College of Agriculture became Kansas State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.
- 1960: Dedication of Justin Hall.
- 1962: Bessie B. West Hall for students dedicated.
- 1963: School became College of Home Economics.
- 1964: Major curriculum changes, addition of general education courses, decrease in home economics core from 30 hours to 12 hours, more electives in all majors.
- 1965: Martha Kramer Food Service Center opened. Interior Design and Costume Design became Clothing and Textiles Department.
- 1967: Name change to Department of Clothing, Textiles, and Interior Design. Dr. Jean Caul hired by the Department of Foods and Nutrition and named K-State's first female Distinguished Professor.
- 1970: Four-year coordinated undergraduate program in dietetics with cooperation of Institutional Management and Foods and Nutrition.
- 1971: First Telenet courses taught in home economics.
- 1972: Infant and Child Care Service on campus. Family Resource Center started.
- 1973: Home Economics Centennial Celebration.
- 1974: First Grace Shugart lecture held (an annual event). Dr. Ruth M. Hoeflin became dean.
- 1975: March 21, Kansas Board of Regents approved Ph.D. in Home Economics; first Ph.D. degree awarded in October 1977.
- 1976: Center for Aging began in College; Dr. Richard Morse was first director. First home economics outreach courses taught across the state.
- 1977: Stone House Child Care Center opened in renovated old stone house near campus.
- 1983: Hoeflin steps aside from deanship at age 65. Dr. Barbara Spilker Stowe became dean.
- 1984: New dual degree program, Nutrition and Exercise.
- 1985: October 17, Kansas Board of Regents approved name change to Human Ecology. Justin Hall renovation; faculty have individual offices; suite of offices prepared for extension. Merger of Home Economics Extension with College program, move to third floor of Justin hall. Merger of Family Economics Department into Human Development and Family Studies.
- 1987: Name change from Dietetics, Restaurant, and Institutional Management to Hotel, Restaurant, Institution Management and Dietetics.
Source: Hoeflin, Ruth. 1988.History of a College: From Woman’s Course to Home Economics to Human Ecology. Manhattan, KS: Ag Press.
