13. Forestry

The degree of Bachelor in the Science of Forestry (B.S.F.), later changed to Forest Engineer (F.E.), was first conferred by the New York State College of Forestry (affiliated with Cornell University), on Ralph C. Bryant in 1900.24 In 1900, Yale University set up a full forestry curriculum and now enjoys the distinction of having the oldest forestry school in continuous operation in the Western Hemisphere.25 It granted the first degrees of Master of Forestry (M.F.) in 1902 to a class of 10 men.

Below are listed the 34 degrees classified in table 10 in the field of Forestry as currently conferred by recognized colleges and universities; the number of institutions reporting the use of each of these degrees; and their abbreviation or abbreviations, with the institutional frequencies reported for each. Since some of the institutions did not indicate the abbreviations they use, the sum of the frequencies for abbreviations are often less than the total frequency given.

Listed also (in italics) are 17 degrees not reported as currently conferred and their abbreviations as far as known, but without frequencies of use (indicated by x). Included also are five honorary (Hon.) degrees (see chapter V), only one of which is in current use. arrangement is in terms of associate, bachelor, master, doctor, other degrees.

The

and

24 Henry S. Graves and Cedric H. Guise, Forest Education. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1932. p. 254-255; and Waterman T. Hewett, Cornell University: A History. New York: University Publishing Society, 1905, vol. II., p. 376.

2 Lloyd E. Blauch, op. cit., p. 82.

14. Home Economics

Home economics instruction at the higher education level had its beginnings in three land-grant colleges in the Middle West in the 1860's, with first graduates in the 1870's. These three institutions were Kansas State University of Agriculture and Applied Science, which as Kansas State Agricultural College, opened in 1863; Iowa State University of Science and Technology, which, as Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, opened in 1868; and the University of Illinois, which, as Illinois Industrial University, also opened in 1868.20

Instruction in home economics at Iowa State University began when the institution's first students were enrolled in 1868, under the direction of Mrs. Mary B. Welch, wife of the president of the college. Women students were given three hours a week of practice in domestic science. The scope of the work developed rapidly and in 1875 a Department of Cookery and Household Art was established. The first degree had been granted in 1873, the Bachelor of Science from the Department of General Science for Ladies. Since 1873 degrees in home economics have been conferred more or less continuously, with a total of 9,552 degrees of Bachelor of Science in Home Economics through 1959.27

At Kansas State University, Mrs. H. C. Cheseldine was employed in 1873 as Superintendent of the Sewing Department, and classes were formed in sewing, dressmaking, and millinery. Until about 1900, all graduates of the institution received degrees of Bachelor of Science without designation of area of specialization. All women graduates in early days took at least some of the home economics courses offered. The first woman graduate was Nellie Sawyer, in 1876. Evidently her major interest was in home economics for in September 1882, as Mrs. Robert F. Kedzie, she became head of the Department of Home Economics at her alma mater, a position which she held with distinction for 15 years or longer. Kedzie Hall, named

26 Lloyd E. Blauch, op. cit., p. 88; Benjamin R. Andrews, Education for the Home. Washington: U.S. Bureau of Education (Bulletin, 1914, No. 36), p. 16-17; and Mary Irwin, American Universities and Colleges, Washington: American Council on Education, 1956, pp. 444, 426, 390.

27 Personal letter from Arthur M. Gowan, Director of Admissions and Registrar, March 16, 1960.