Elizabeth Gordon Andrews

(Prepared by Harla Frank December 2002)

        Elizabeth Gordon Andrews completed her Ph.D. in Psychology in August 1930, at The University of Iowa. In 1930, she began her career at Florida State College for Women (FSCW), where she would remain until her retirement.

         In 1935, Dr. Andrews developed a nursery school program at FSCW based upon the then current educational theory that espoused "freedom of expression" in children (Flambeau, 12-6-1935). Children from two to five years of age were accepted at the experimental school. In the beginning, there were eleven girls and nine boys in attendance. School was held Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Most of the children were from underprivileged families, but some were from homes in which mothers had to work but had no adequate facilities for caring for the children while they were away (Flambeau, 12-6-1935). Children were allowed freedom of expression and exploration without the interference of adults. Adults stood by, however, overseeing the activities. The purpose of the nursery school was to "establish habits with a foundation for further adjustment" (Flambeau, 12-6-1935). "Time is given to the forming of serviceable habits and attitudes" in "cleanliness, eating, sleeping, and exercise" (Flambeau, 12-6-1935). Dr. Andrews "selected the teachers, chose the equipment, and arranged for one of the dieticians to supervise the lunches" (Robin Sellers interview with Mrs. John Blackwell, Dr. Andrews' daughter, 9-26-1992, p. 2). In addition to assisting in the development of the children, the school also provided a "laboratory for [FSCW] students going into nursery school teaching" (Robin Sellers interview with Mrs. John Blackwell, 9-26-1992, p. 2-3).

         Dr. Andrews was Director of Personnel from "about 1932 until about 1949" (Blackwell interview, 9-26-1992, p. 1). During this time, her many duties included helping the students with various problems, dealing with disciplinary issues, assisting the students in obtaining loans and scholarships, and interviewing the students for their jobs (Blackwell interview, 9-26-92, p. 6). Dr. Andrews had the final say on all scholarships (Blackwell interview, 9-26-1992, p. 7). She also dealt directly with the Department of Education due to her work with practice teachers from the Education Department (Blackwell interview, 9-26-1992, p. 17).

         Dr. Andrews encouraged the students who wanted to become doctors. Many parents were against their daughters going into medicine at a time when the only "decent" profession for a woman was teaching (Blackwell interview, 9-26-1992, p. 18). Dr. Andrews took it upon herself to discuss the student's desire to go into medicine with the parents (Blackwell interview, 9-26-92, p. 18). She assisted many in achieving their goal.

         Dr. Andrews also taught in the Psychology Department. She taught the doctoral students, so she might only have one student at a time. The student would attend class in Dr. Andrews' office (Blackwell interview, 9-26-1992, p. 19). Katherine B. Hoffman, alumna of Florida State College for Women, remembers Dr. Andrews as a woman who "had resources to build her own home, usually renting out one floor to another faculty person. She adopted a young girl, rearing her to adulthood. Dr. Andrews was a gracious woman" (Hoffman, Questionnaire, 2002). Dr. Andrews was a remarkable woman. In 1935, she was recognized in Women's Who's Who, a publication that chronicled the biographies of America's "outstanding women" (Flambeau, 7-12-1935).

         Dr. Andrews' daughter, Mrs. John Blackwell, recalls that her mother was not pleased with the decision that the college become a coed university (FSU) in 1947. She felt that "academically" the "standards would go down, which they did" (Blackwell interview, 9-26-1992, p. 24). Because the college was not equipped for male students, there were "many more problems" (Blackwell interview, 9-26-1992, p. 24).

         When Elizabeth Gordon Andrews died on December 22, 1967, she was Dean Emeritus of the Florida State University. She came to the Florida State College for Women at a rather idyllic time in the college's history. It was a small, close-knit faculty community that interacted regularly with each other and with the students. High standards in academics and in morals governed the college environment. Coupled with this rigidity of standards, were mutual respect and a dedication to the future of the college. It was in this climate of faculty support and dedication that Dr. Elizabeth Gordon Andrews contributed to the development and endurance of the Department of Psychology and Florida State University.

 Dorothy Rose Disher

(Prepared by Harla Frank December 2002)

         On July 6, 1906, on a farm near Whitehouse, Ohio, Dorothy Rose Disher was born to Arthur Demuth (Dee) Disher and Rosina Rose Studer. Dorothy, her parents, and her older sister, Anna, made up this hardworking farm family &endash; descendants of Swiss immigrants who arrived in this country in 1852. Her years with her parents were short, however. Her mother died in 1910 and her father in 1914.

         After their father died, Dorothy and Anna went to live with their father's brother Frank on a Black Swamp farm in Ohio, where books, music, honesty, and industry were valued. Dorothy reports, "I worked, and watched, and listened, and learned" (Disher, A Black Swamp Family, p. 47). And, work she did. In spite of recurring ill health, she graduated from high school in 1924 at the top of her class. Her next goal was a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, which she accomplished, graduating cum laude from Ohio Wesleyan University (during her first year of college, she attended Toledo University). She immediately began graduate work in Psychology at Ohio State University where she received an M.A. in 1929 and where, in 1933, at the age of twenty-seven, she earned her Ph.D. in Psychology. During the early years at Ohio State, she supported herself with scholarships, later, with teaching assistantships. For many, this would be a remarkable culmination of a dream, but Dorothy was not satisfied. She continued her education, attending summer schools at the University of Iowa, the University of California at Berkeley, Cornell University, Columbia University, and Chicago University. She also trained as a psychotherapist at the Institute of Individual Psychology in New York City.

         Her professional career began at the Florida State College for Women in 1933. At a time when very few women taught at the university level, the Florida State College for Women had three female professors in the Department of Psychology. Asked later about sexual discrimination, Dr. Disher replied, "I was always too interested in learning and teaching to really notice if I was being treated differently" (Crestview News, Spring-Summer Issue, 1983). During her twelve years at FSCW, Dr. Disher continued her research interest that she had developed during her graduate years at Ohio State, the reactions of newborn infants to olfactory stimuli. She also conducted research in infant behavior, attitude-interest analysis of female students at FSCW, and regional differences in masculinity-femininity responses. She spoke on "an objective approach to sex differences in attitudes and interests" before the Tallahassee section of the Florida Academy of Sciences in 1939 (Flambeau, 4-21-1939). "Dr. Watson Davis, Director of Science Service at Washington, in his book, The Advance of Science, credits Dr. Disher with the discovery that the newborn infant can respond to the fragrance of flowers surrounding his mother's bed as well as to the less agreeable odors of the hospital" (Flambeau, 5-17-1935). While teaching at FSCW, Dr. Disher was also involved in an innovative new project developed by Dr. Elizabeth Andrews. Based upon the then current educational theory of "freedom of expression in children," a nursery school was created in which cleanliness, eating, sleeping, and exercise were primary areas of interest. Dr. Disher supervised the teaching at the nursery (Flambeau, 12-6-1935).

         Recently, Katherine B. Hoffman, alumna of the Florida State College for Women, remembered Dr. Disher as "a tiny lady with lots of spirit. It was said that her sense of smell was so acute that she could 'tell' whether someone had recently been in a vacant room" (Hoffman, Questionnaire, 2002).

         In 1944, Dr. Disher left Florida State College for Women in order to accept a position with Adelphi College (later Adelphi University) in Garden City on Long Island, New York. She remained at Adelphi for twenty-five years where she developed an interest in the "origin of self" (Disher, A Black Swamp Family, p. 50). She retired as Professor Emeritus from Adelphi University in 1970.

         Commenting on her teaching style, Dr. Disher stated that in her early years, she was a lecturer. Later, she offered the students the opportunity to determine their own goals, to learn when and what they wished to learn (Disher, A Black Swamp Family). When asked her philosophy of teaching, she said, "What goes on in a classroom is like the stone dropped into a body of water. The ripples go on and on and nothing is ever the same again" (Crestview News, Spring-Summer Issue, 1983).

         Dr. Disher left teaching in 1970 to help on the family farm. The man who had taken her in as a child was ill; she was needed. It was 1970, and there was growing unrest on college campuses across the country. She referred to the unrest as "artificial and undefined complaints" (Disher, A Black Swamp Family, p. 54). She remembers Adelphi during the first student strike. She announced that class would go on as usual, no matter what. At class time, "all the students were there, even one sign-carrying member" (Disher, A Black Swamp Family, p. 52). She reports that "he 'parked' the sign against the wall and took his usual seat for the class hour" (Disher, A Black Swamp Family, p. 54). Perhaps this was a testament to her teaching ability or the care and concern she felt for each student.

         During her professional career, Dr. Disher had very definite opinions of current ideas in psychology. She stated, "Behaviorism was the safe, and smart, professional position; experimentation was the safe technique" (Disher, A Black Swamp Family). She was "not proud of what John B. Watson, operating from meagerly explored hypotheses, did to our culture" (Disher, A Black Swamp Family, p. 50). She was, however, an admirer of Alfred Adler. Shortly after graduating from Ohio Wesleyan, Dr. Disher began suffering from blind spots which would come and go, fatigue, headaches, and walking in circles. She attributed her unusual symptoms to hysteria, a condition she had just become familiar with in her study of psychology. In 1954, she would discover that her hysteria was in fact, multiple sclerosis. She continued to work.

         During her retirement, Dr. Disher conducted private research in the area of encouragement of multiple sclerosis remission. In 1982, at the age of seventy-six, she published A Black Swamp Family, a book honoring the fortitude of the Disher family. She continued her writing, an activity that allowed her creativity to flow. In 1979, she began creating her own Christmas cards for her friends, relatives, and acquaintances. She wrote the poems for the cards and Leo Price, a Waterville, Ohio, artist and children's author, created a background illustration. She mailed approximately 200 cards per year. In 1982, due to deteriorating eyesight, she thought these would be her last Christmas poems. However, she could not quiet her thoughts, and the cards continued. In 1983, she began writing short stories. One, "The Last of the Great Scientists," is a science fiction story about "how the last scientist disappears from the face of the earth" (Farmland News, Archbold, Ohio, 12-20-1983, p. 7 & 22).

         During Dr. Disher's retirement, in addition to her writing, she began (and completed) an original Ostego log cabin. This cabin would replace the Disher family's original log cabin. This had been a dream of many members of the Disher family for years. Dr. Disher completed the cabin in 1976, dubbing the cabin "Iffenwhen" (Crestview News, Spring-Summer Issue, 1983).

         On February 15, 1987, at the age of eighty, Dorothy Rose Disher died of a cerebrovascular accident. Her beloved land, land that had been in the Disher family since 1852 and left to her, "endures as a tribute to her Uncle Frank who took her in as a child" (Crestview News, Spring-Summer Issue, 1983). The land is held in trust by Bowling Green State University, which is "responsible for tilling the land and caring for the house" that is filled with treasures of the past (Crestview News, Spring-Summer Issue, 1983).

         Dr. Disher left us with a challenge. She stated, "I hope the next generation will have within itself the riches of self-appreciation and self-maturation with the accompanying skills; that no one would expect something for nothing and that there would be a strong commitment to a Great Spirit and to our terrific universe" (Crestview News, Spring-Summer Issue, 1983).

         Dr. Disher: "I dreamt of becoming a 'well-known' psychologist among my peers. But I never did" (Disher, A Black Swamp Family, p. 50). In this, she was wrong. Dr. Disher will long be remembered by her students, her colleagues, and those who search the history of Florida State University's Department of Psychology, as a woman who valued the ageless ideals of "exceptional industry, thrift, and competence" (Disher, A Black Swamp Family, p. 59).

Edwin Andrew Hayden

Provided 12-07-2002 by Lianne Hartman, Graduate Student Reference Assistant, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan in response to an e-mail query by Harla Frank

         I am writing in reply to your request for information about Dr. Edwin Andrew Hayden. According to the Alumni Records Necrology Files, Professor Hayden was born on August 14, 1871 in Burlington, Michigan. Hayden received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin in 1894. He received his Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Michigan in 1907. Beginning in 1903, he was Professor of Psychology and Education at State Normal College in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In 1915, he became Professor of Psychology at, what was then, the Florida State College for Women. He died in Tallahassee, Florida on October 28, 1921 at the age of 50.

         According to the 1902-1903 University Catalogue, Dr. Hayden's listed majors / concentrations were Sociology, Psychology and Political Economy. The title of his dissertation, written in 1907, was "The Social Will" and is available via Inter-Library Loan from the University of Michigan Graduate Library. Unfortunately, I do not have any information concerning Dr. Hayden's professors or advisors.

Paul Frederick Finner

Prepared by Harla Frank, March 2003

         The Florida State College for Women (FSCW) welcomed Dr. Paul Frederick Finner to the faculty of the Department of Psychology in 1922. After completing his dissertation entitled A Study of Tests Designed to Measure Intelligence, he received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 1923. For thirty-two years, until his retirement in 1954, the Department of Psychology benefited from Dr. Finner's thoughtful teaching style.

         During his time at FSCW, Dr. Finner published An Introduction to Experimental Psychology, a lab manual for psychology students. It was reported in an article in the October 1936 edition of the Flambeau that the lab manual had been used by psychology classes at FSCW for several years. A copy of the book is in the Department of Psychology's Historical Archive, a gift of Dr. James C. Smith.

         Dr. Finner was a sought after speaker at the university's many functions. He often led Vespers at the college - a worship service held at the university in the late afternoon. In July 1934, Dr. Finner spoke on the topic, "What God Expects of Us." In April 1937, Dr. Finner addressed the "Alumnae College" on the subject of nervousness. He stated, "Practice in courageous living and adherence to a sound philosophy of life can do more to relieve worry and nervousness than any single corrective." He advised, ". . .cultivate the friendship of people who are courageous and optimistic, . . .set a time for careful consideration of the problem that causes worry and anxiety,. . . confide in other people, . . .develop hobbies, and . . . do something about the problem that causes the anxiety." He also addressed the Hillel Town Forum in February 1942 on the topic, "Do We Believe in the Brotherhood of Man?"

         In addition to being a sought after speaker at public functions, he was also a sought after instructor. Students remember the "lively discussions" in class. He was "sincere, helpful" and an "outstanding professor." Students remember the forum that Dr. Finner held at his home in which he invited a Buddhist, a Rabbi, and a Presbyterian minister to discuss diverse points of view with his students. As Margaret Thornton Petris stated, "Nowhere else would I have had the chance to be part of such an assembly." Ever the scientist, one student fondly recalls Dr. Finner saying, "Be critical Miss ___; be everlastingly critical." Apparently, he would not allow his students to get "off topic." Katherine Flood recalls Dr. Finner gently reminding a student to "Make your point." Several of his former students said that his greatest contribution to their education was to teach them "how to think." As one student reflects, "Most of all, he taught me the logic and reasoning that I use to this day."

         A dedicated teacher and meticulous researcher, Dr. Finner served his department and his university from 1922 to 1954. Bessie M. Miller remembers Dr. Finner "standing in front of the class with eyes closed, and imploring. . . 'Let us have working conditions.' Of course, we promptly subsided."

Hugh Lee Waskom

Prepared by Harla Frank, March 2003

         Hugh Lee Waskom received his Ph.D. from Indiana University in 1930 under the guidance of George S. Snoddy. His dissertation was titled An Experimental Analysis of Incentive and Forced Application and Their Effect Upon Learning. Students at Florida State College for Women (FSCW), later named Florida State University (FSU), benefited from his interesting and effective teaching style from 1930 to 1966.

         Dr. Waskom made what he taught in the classroom "come alive through field trips." Because advanced psychology classes were quite small, Dr. Waskom was able to take his students in his car on visits to the State Mental Hospital in Chattahoochee, to the Boys' Industrial School in Marianna, and to the Girls' Industrial School in Ocala. Psychological concepts were also demonstrated through fascinating classroom assignments. Tybe W. Kahn tells about an assignment that impacted her life in a very positive way. "We were told to select a personal problem and then we were led through steps of resolution. By analyzing an incident that occurred before my sixth birthday, . . . my life turned around." Doris Jones Patrick tells how Dr. Waskom dispelled pretest tension. ". . . he entered the room with his carefree stride and his arms swinging loosely by his side. He wasn't carrying an armful of mimeographed test papers or the famous blue test booklet. My first thought was that he had forgotten the assigned test, and you could hear a sigh of relief from his students. You see, he had relieved the 'built up tension' that is created before one takes a scheduled test. Then, he sat down at his desk, looked at his class and said, 'Oh, I almost forgot something.' Facing his class, he would search frantically in each pocket of his coat, and after a few minutes, he pulled a small piece of paper from an inside coat pocket. This caused another great sigh of relief from his class. Then, he turned and wrote several questions on the blackboard. By this time, his students started answering the 'Thought Questions' in a relaxed and confident way."

         His innovative style was not limited to instruction. He developed a clinic to be offered at the FSCW in the summer of 1939. It was believed to be "the first of its kind in Florida." A reading clinic intended to aid teachers in diagnosing and correcting reading difficulties in children of all grade levels, the clinic would address visual and auditory handicaps, lack of maturity, poor reading habits, and emotional conflicts.

         For thirty-six years, Dr. Hugh Lee Waskom was an invaluable member of the faculty of the Department of Psychology at Florida State College for Women and a professor that taught and applied the principles of psychology in a way that his students would remember fondly for many years. As Doris Jones Patrick said, "he taught students and not subjects."