Deans of Women

Anne Blitz was the first Dean of Women, 1921-1923.

Agnes Husband had two stints as Dean of Women, the first 1923-1927, and then 1929-1935.

Elizabeth Meguira was acting Dean during Husband's absence from 1927-1929. She then became Dean in her own right from 1935-1946.

Margaret Habein was dean for six years, 1946-1952.

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The March 31, 1952 University Daily Kansan article announced the resignation of Margaret Habein and introduced her replacement, Martha Peterson.

Martha Peterson was Dean of Women from 1952-1956.

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Peterson was a familiar face on campus, as this UDK article describes her.

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Kansas City Star article describing Peterson's job as Dean of Women.

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New Dean of Women Emily Taylor at her desk in 1952.

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Dr. Kala Stroup was the last Dean of Women. She served from 1975-1978.

The Dean of Women position began as dormitory disciplinarians. They provided guidelines on curfews and student conduct, enforcing rules of behavior in order to ensure female students’ virtue. At the beginning of the 20^th century, the role revolved around counseling, the student experience outside the classroom, and discipline.

The first Dean of Women, Anne Dudley Blitz, started in 1921 and served for two years. Following her were six other women who all served “to offer advice and counsel and to help solve problems facing them as individuals.” The position was assumed into a general Dean of Students in 1978. Kala Stroup served as the last Dean of Women.