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Fitzsimmons, Cleo, 1900-1998

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: March 5, 1900 - November 30, 1998

Biographical Information

Cleo Fitzsimmons was born March 5, 1900 in St. Paul, Kansas. She graduated in 1928 from Iowa State University with a bachelor's degrees in Journalism and Home Economics. She also received her MS from the University of Illinois with a thesis entitled, "Some Contributions of Economic Theory to Home Economics." In 1945, Fitzsimmons earned her PhD in Economics with minors in Sociology and Home Management from the University of Illinois. She received an Alumni Merit Award in 1953 from her alma mater.

She joined the faculty at Purdue University in 1946 as a professor and department head in Home Management and Economics. Her research focused on farm families, food, and economics. Fitzsimmons is credited with introducing the field of family economics into the college that is now known as Consumer and Family Sciences. She retired from Purdue as a Professor Emeritus in 1972 and returned to Iowa. She passed away November 30, 1998.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Cleo Fitzsimmons papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSF 73
Abstract

The Cleo Fitzsimmons papers documents Fitzsimmons' career as a professor and department head in Home Management at Purdue University. Materials include correspondence, photographs, awards, publications, and faculty hood belonging to Fitzsimmons.

Dates: 1928 - 1998; Majority of material found within 1950 - 1970
Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections