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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 18 Collections and/or Records:

Betty Nelson papers

 Unprocessed Material — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 20170328

Betty Nelson papers, addition 01

 Unprocessed Material — Communal collections box 16
Identifier: 20120515.2

Betty Nelson papers, addition 02

 Unprocessed Material — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 20150311

Betty Nelson papers, addition 03

 Unprocessed Material — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 20150619.1

Betty Nelson papers, addition 04

 Unprocessed Material — Box Box 1
Identifier: 20150915

Betty Nelson papers, addition 05

 Unprocessed Material — Box Box 1
Identifier: 20150917

Betty Nelson papers, addition 06

 Unprocessed Material — Box 1
Identifier: 20170602

Betty Nelson papers, addition 07

 Unprocessed Material — Box 1
Identifier: 20190401
Dates: 2008 - 2019; Majority of material found within 2018 - 2019

Betty Nelson papers, addition 08

 Unprocessed Material — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 20140515.3

Betty Nelson Papers, addition 09

 Unprocessed Material — Box 1
Identifier: 20200309

Betty Nelson papers on Janice Voss

 Unprocessed Material — Communal collections box 16
Identifier: 20111014.1

Collection of Sandy Monroe retirement celebration records

 Unprocessed Material — Digital folder 2022-034 Collection of Sandy Monroe retirement celebration records
Identifier: 2022-034
Dates: August 30, 2021

Collection on Helen B. Schleman, addition 01

 Unprocessed Material — Box Communal Accessions 68
Identifier: 2024-047

Dean of Students records, addition 03

 Unprocessed Material — Box 1
Identifier: 2022-053

Lafayette Rotary Club records

 Unprocessed Material — Communal accessions box 32
Identifier: 20181206.1

Purdue University Dean of Women papers, addition 01

 Unprocessed Material
Identifier: 20090806.1

Purdue University News Service records, addition 04

 Unprocessed Material — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2022-078

Purdue University Retirees Association (PURA) records, addition 07

 Unprocessed Material — Communal accessions box 32
Identifier: 20181206
Dates: September 28, 2018