Record Accession Number: 1156
First UVA program EDUC Second UVA program
Comments on UVA programs
Home town Scranton Home state PA
Comments on Home town and state
Home town classification Large city
Comments on Home town classification
High school classification Public
Comments on High school classification
Was your high school co-ed? Yes
Comments on Co-ed high school
Did you come directly from high school to UVA? No
Comments if not directly from high school Graduated from St. Mary's School of Nurse (3 yr. diploma school Scranton, Pa.); Lt Navy Nurse Corps 1944-46 Lt Navy Nurse Corps 1944-46
Important activities before coming to UVA
Comments on important activities Practicing nursing as a young RN, traveling, reading, active social life (dancing, theater, etc.) Navy Nurse Corps
If married, was it before, during, or after UVA? After
Comments on time of marriage
Was your spouse associated with UVA? Student
Comments on spouses association with UVA Although my husband and I were both enrolled in the School of Education, we did not meet until after I graduated and was employed as a Nursing Instructor at U.Va. School of Nursing (1949-1950).
Mother's first degree Mother's first college
Mother's second college Mother's second degree
Mother's third college Mother's third degree
Father's first degree Father's first college
Father's second college Father's second degree
Father's third school Father's third degree
Comments on parents' schooling
First sister's level of schooling Second sister's level of schooling
Third sister's level of schooling First brother's level of schooling
Second brother's level of schooling Third brother's level of schooling
Comments on siblings' schooling
Family members at UVA
Comments on family members at UVA husband, 2 of his brothers, several nieces and nephews graduated from U.Va. Husband- Charles Wheeler BS Education 1950, M.Ed. 1963?
Mother's first occupation Mother's second occupation
Mother's third occupation Father's first occupation
Father's second occupation Father's third occupation
Comments on parents' occupations
Date entered UVA Date left UVA
First other college First other concentration
First other degree First other dates of attendance
Second other college Second other concentration
Second other degree Second other dates of attendance
Third other college Third other concentration
Third other degree Third other dates of attendance
Fourth other college Fourth other concentration
Fourth other degree Fourth other dates of attendance
Fifth other college Fifth other concentration
Fifth other degree Fifth other dates of attendance
Comments on college experiences
Why did you choose UVA?
Comments on choice to attend UVA While serving in the Navy I met a nurse from Va who "sold me" on U.Va. It was one of the few Univs. offering a degree in nursing Ed. The beauty of the school and surrounding area, reputation (strong academic performance).
How did you finance UVA?
Comments on financing from savings, GI Bill
Why did you choose your UVA concentration(s)?
Comments on choice of concentration I was a RN and wanted a degree in education to enable me to become a nursing instructor or to help me advance in my profession.
Description of UVA classroom experiences
Comments on classroom experiences interesting, informative, daunting, challenging
Description of UVA professor interactions
Comments on professor interactions Inside classroom, professional. Outside- no contact (exception to this rule was our personal relationship with Dean Hollingsworth.)
Who impacted your life at UVA?
Comments on life impact Dr. Roberta Hollingsworth-dean of women, a charming, intelligent woman who made all women welcome at a man's university. She encouraged us to succeed in our ed. pursuits. Dr. Atcheson Hench- English Prof. Excellent teacher with a wonderful sense of humor. I am grateful for all he taught us about grammar, punctuation, writing well, etc. He also delighted in having women in his classes.
Most memorable UVA educational experience
Comments on memorable educational experience A challenging experience- few women in classes with huge number of men, plus a few profs. who chose to ignore women in their classes. Excellent courses in nursing ed. -these served me well during my years as an instructor. Excellent non-nursing courses (English, History, Political Science, Biology, etc.)
UVA weekend activities
Comments on weekend activities attending athletic events (football, boxing matches, etc), visiting points of interest in area, attending church on Sunday, dances parties, studying
UVA extra-curricular organizations
Comments on extra-curricular organizations Newman club, frankly, I had little time for extra curricular activities. Had to spend a major portion of each day and night for study.
Important local, state, national, and international issues while at UVA
Comments on important issues Can't recall any specific issues, but I have always been extremely interested in national politics-past and present. In the post-war 40's students (GI's) were interested in education, not issues.
How interest in issues was expressed
Comments on how interest was expressed I enrolled and completed classes in American History, English History, European History, Latin American History, Political Science
UVA housing
Comments on housing Dormitory, apartment
Likes and dislikes about housing
Comments on likes and dislikes Living quarters (Copely Hill) were not ready when we arrived, so we were assigned to a professor's house on the lawn-very nice! Copely Hill Apt.(4 to an apt.), dorm (2 to a room). All arrangements comfortable, but not very attractive. The lawn was the exception
Where were meals eaten
Comments on meal location The commons, Univ. cafeteria (corner), Hotel Monticello (on Sundays), Betty coed room on the range (lunch).
Did you interact outside of UVA?
Interaction detail
Memories of Charlottesville
Comments on Charlottesville memories small town, rather provincial, too few good restaurants, 3 movie theaters, 1 community library, downtown area-popular for shopping, the beauty of the area. Charming Univ. town.
Did you feel part of UVA community? Did you feel part of community?
Incidents that caused these community feelings Dean Hollingsworth made all women feel a part of the Univ. We had lunch with her everyday. I can't say enough about Dean Hollingsworth's influence on our lives during our (U.Va. women) years at U.Va. We met each day at the Co-ed Room and had lunch with her. She sat at different tables each day, and we had many interesting discussions about various topics of interest. She also listend to our problems, and helped resolve them. I believe that this was the type of relationship (student/dean/professor) that Thomas Jefferson advocated when the Univ. was founded. Dean Hollingsworth, in my opinion, was a woman ahead of her time. Attending athletic events and other social activities. A few profs. encouraged us to take part in class discussions and to express our opinions.
Vivid UVA memories
Comments on vivid memories I enjoyed being a student during the late 40's as about 2/3 the students were returning veterans- both men and women. I feel that we were mature and serious about our education and were willing to work 6 days a week if necessary. I was, and still am grateful for the opportunity to attend a truly great Univ. under the GI Bill. I also established friendships with several people who are still my friends today. This is quite meaningful at my age.
Did marital status affect UVA experiences
Comments on influence of marital status
Did cultural background affect UVA experiences
Comments on influence of cultural background
Did UVA prepare you for post-UVA life?
Comments on preparedness Positively. I have had a good life both personally and professionally. My education prepared me to advance in my profession, to appreciate and enjoy music, art, etc., to act honorably in difficult situations, and to broaden my views and to look at all sides of an issue before making my decision.
Most significant post-UVA events
Comments on most significant event Meeting my husband, Charles Wheeler, a native of Charlottesville, marrying him, having 2 wonderful children, and establishing roots in this lovely community. Beginning my career as a nursing instructor, and advancing to an administrative nursing position. Working with 1st year nursing students helped me better understand young people, their concerns, goals, etc.
Personal factors that affected professional life
Comments on personal factors My husband's encouragement and assistance as I pursued my career.
Other factors affecting life after the university
Comments on other factors My husband's death in 1994. I had to learn to adjust to living alone, and to handle my financial affairs on my own.
First post-UVA job First job dates
Second post-UVA job Second job dates
Third post-UVA job Third job dates
Comments on post-UVA jobs
First post-UVA volunteer position First volunteer dates
Second post-UVA volunteer position Second volunteer dates
Third post-UVA volunteer position Third volunteer dates
Comments on volunteering
Do you think of yourself as a career woman?
Comments on career woman question
Barriers faced in work and volunteering
Comments on barriers question Most of my working experiences have been positive and rewarding. I have worked with many outstanding physicians, but I did meet a few who treated nurses as their "hand-maidens" and who made life difficult. At Matha Jefferson Hospital I always received equal promotions and salary increases as the other male administrators.
Current marital status
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Current age range
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Number of children
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Current employment status
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Additional comments In closing I must say that I regret the [Cabiniss?] School of Nursing Education (located in Old Monroe Hall) did not have closer ties with U.Va. School of Nursing (McKim Hall) and with Univ. hospital. At that time they were 2 separate entities, and we were not given the opportunities to apply educational principles we were learning in the classroom to clinical situations in the hospital and nursing school. For example, student teaching in the nursing school would have been helpful. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to express my opinions about my experience at U.Va. It was truly a memorable time in my life. It has been an to have a degree from U.Va. *attached sheeet*

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