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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 5 Collections and/or Records:

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

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, and craft items made by Byrkett. Digital files include...
Dates: 1967 - 2010; Majority of material found within 1983 - 2010

Barbara Cook papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSF 467
Abstract

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

Marylu McEwen Sculpture Dedication materials honoring Betty Nelson, Sandra Monroe, and Linda Ewing

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSK 3
Abstract

These sculpture dedication materials capture information on how the sculpture came to be, why it exists, and whom it honors.

Dates: 2013 - 2014

Helen B. Schleman papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSF 334
Scope and Contents The Helen Schleman papers document the life of Helen B. Schleman from her time as a student at Northwestern University in the 1920s up until her death in 1992. Much of the collection documents Schleman’s tenure at Purdue University as Head of the Women’s Residence Halls, Dean of Women, and Dean Emeritus, as well as her military service in the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve (SPARs) during World War II. Additionally, the collection contains Schleman’s collection of newspaper clippings pertaining...
Dates: 1920 - 2003; Majority of material found within 1934 - 1980