Nelson, Betty M., 1935-
Person
Dates
- Existence: March 17, 1935 -
Biographical Information
Originally from West Virginia, Betty M. Nelson received a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology from the Women's Division of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and then a master's degree in student personnel administration from Ohio University. She served over 30 years on the staff of Purdue University, beginning in the Psychology Department before being asked to join Helen Schleman's staff in the Office of the Dean of Women. She served as Assistant and Associate Dean before being appointed Dean of Students to succeed Barbara I. Cook in 1987. During the 1970s and 1980s, much of Nelson's administrative energy was focused on the civil rights of those with disabilities and ensuring that campus was an accessible place for all students, faculty, and staff members. She was instrumental in the creation of Adaptive Programs (now the Disability Resource Center), which formed in response to the needs of students with disabilities. Nelson founded and chaired the Advisory Council on Disability Issues, a faculty and student advisory group to raise awareness of disability issues in the classroom. She was also a charter member of the Association on Higher Education and Disabilities (AHEAD) and a founding member of the Indiana Higher Education Committee on Disabled Students (later named IN-AHEAD). In addition to her advocacy efforts for the disabled, Nelson was instrumental in the establishment of the Student Leadership Development Program in the Office of the Dean of Students. She served in leadership positions in the National Association for Women Deans, Advisors, and Counselors; the NAWDAC Foundation, and the Indiana AWDAC. Nelson is active in community service, having served in leadership roles with the Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette, the Lafayette Rotary Club (as its first woman president), the Lafayette YWCA, Leadership Lafayette, and other local service organizations. Since her retirement, Nelson has provided leadership for the Purdue University Retirees Association. Some of Dean Nelson's awards and honors include the Sagamore of the Wabash, the Grand Marquis de Lafayette Award for Community Service, the Helen B. Schleman Gold Medallion, and the Special Boilermaker Award.
Citation
MSO 1, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program collection, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.Found in 24 Collections and/or Records:
Betty M. Nelson Award, 2004 - 2015
File — Box: 3
Identifier: MSP 31, Series 7, File 2
Scope and Contents
From the Collection:
The Purdue University Retirees Association (PURA) records document the history, growth, and development of PURA, the Retirees Association for Purdue faculty and staff. Topics include employee retirement benefits, medical benefits, supplemental retirement income, employment options, volunteerism, and retiree activities. Correspondence between PURA and Purdue presidents Frederick Hovde, Arthur Hansen, Steven Beering, and interim president John Hicks is also included.Committees files...
Dates:
2004 - 2015
Betty Nelson Collection of Purdue University related items
Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MSP 266
Scope and Contens
This collection consists of three items: one decorated storage box with a photo of University Hall on the front, one Purdue University matchbook cover with the 1975 football schedule on the back, and one Purdue-themed painted display plate with the inscription "Purdue 01." The three items were retrieved from a Westminster Village Retirement Community garage sale in 2017.
Dates:
1970's
Betty Nelson papers, addition 01
Unprocessed — Box: Communal Accessions 16
Identifier: 20120515.2
Dates:
2012
Betty Nelson papers, addition 02
Unprocessed — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 20150311
Dates:
1945 - 2011
Betty Nelson papers, addition 03
Unprocessed — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 20150619.1
Dates:
undated
Betty Nelson papers, addition 07
Unprocessed — Box: 1
Identifier: 20190401
Dates:
2008 - 2019; Majority of material found within 2018 - 2019
Betty Nelson papers, addition 08
Unprocessed — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 20140515.3
Dates:
2004; 2014
Betty Nelson papers on Janice Voss
Unprocessed — Box: Communal Accessions 16
Identifier: 20111014.1
Dates:
1993
Sharon Byrkett papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 320
Scope and Contents
This collection contains awards, certifications, and honors documenting the life and achievements in social work and disability access and awareness of Sharon Byrkett. Of most prominence is a hand-written manuscript by Byrkett titled "Understanding My Disability" written in 1983. Other materials in the collection include a journal from 1967, photo albums and scrapbooks depicting events from her personal life and conferences attended, craft items made by Byrkett, and works created and saved by...
Dates:
1967 - 2010; Majority of material found within 1983 - 2010
Collection of Sandy Monroe retirement celebration records
Unprocessed — Digital Folder: 2022-034 Collection of Sandy Monroe retirement celebration records
Identifier: 2022-034
Dates:
August 30, 2021
Barbara Cook papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSF 467
Overview
The Barbara Cook papers predominantly document Barbara Cook's career in the Dean of Women and Dean of Students office and as professor of education at Purdue University (1956 - 1989), including her leadership roles in Mortar Board and NAWDAC -- National Association of Women Deans, Administrators, and Counselors. Types of material include correspondence, speeches, teaching material, articles and essays, and biographical information.
Dates:
1932 - 2012; Other: Date acquired: 11/04/2009
Dean of Students records, addition 03
Unprocessed — Box: 1
Identifier: 2022-053
Dates:
1980s - 2000s
Lafayette Rotary Club records
Unprocessed — Box: Communal Accessions 32
Identifier: 20181206.1
Dates:
1973
Marylu McEwen Sculpture Dedication materials honoring Betty Nelson, Sandra Monroe, and Linda Ewing
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSK 3
Overview
These sculpture dedication materials capture information on how the sculpture came to be, why it exists, and whom it honors.
Dates:
2013 - 2014
Purdue University Dean of Women papers, addition 01
Unprocessed
Identifier: 20090806.1
Dates:
1980 - 1987
Purdue University News Service records, addition 04
Unprocessed — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2022-078
Dates:
1974 - 1996
Purdue University Retirees Association (PURA) records, addition 07
Unprocessed — Box: Communal Accessions 32
Identifier: 20181206
Dates:
September 28, 2018
Helen B. Schleman papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSF 334
Overview
The Helen Schleman papers contain papers, clippings, speeches, and photographs documenting Helen Schleman’s life. The collection has particular emphases on her role as Purdue's Dean of Women and as an adovcate for women's rights.
Dates:
1920 - 2003; Majority of material found within 1934 - 1980
Significant People, 1950 - 1989
Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSF 334, Series 4
Scope and Contents
Series 4 contains records pertaining to individuals who were important to Helen Schleman. These files contain clippings, manuscripts, correspondence, and epehemera that Schleman collected and that document the lives and careers of several important women in her life.
Dates:
1950 - 1989