Catherine Jane Personius papers

Professor of food and nutrition, Cornell University.

Catherine Personius graduated from Elmira College in 1925 with a degree in home economics and chemistry, subsequently joining the staff as foods instructor. In 1928, she completed her M.A. at Teacher's College, Columbia University and in 1937 her Ph.D. from Cornell, joining the faculty as an assistant professor that same year. From 1940-1943, she was an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and then returned to Cornell as professor and co-chair of the Department of Food and Nutrition and a year later as chair. In 1947, she also became Coordinator of Research for the College and Assistant Director of the Experiment Station. Personius was the first woman to be a faculty representative on the Board of Trustees where she served from 1959-1964. She retired in 1966.