PROFESSOR STRONG RETIRES.

Evening Star, Issue 23684, 18 September 1940, Page 6

PROFESSOR STRONG RETIRES.

At yesterday’s meeting of the XTniversity Council a letter was received from Professor A. G. Strong tendering her resignation as a member of the University staff. In commenting on this announcement the Chancellor said that Professor Strong had proved a skilled and able teacher, a groat organiser, and the possessor of unusual qualities and the power to impress others. These comments of Mr Morrell will be endorsed by those who are familiar with the work that has been carried on at the Home Science School. This department of Otago University has an interesting history. It owes its establishment to the generosity and vision of the late Mr John Studholmo, a pioneer colonist of Canterbury. In 190(1 he decided to initiate the movement by offering to endow a chair of domestic science at Canterbury College, Christchurch. The Board of Governors of the College, while favouring the proposal on general grounds, after much consideration, decided to decline the offer, which was transferred to Otago University Council. In due course it was accepted, and the Home Science School was established. The good fortune that the University experienced in its earliest stages in obtaining accomplished individuals to fill the various chairs was extended to the Home Science School. The first professor was Miss W, L. Boys-Smith, and Miss G. H. Rawson was the first lecturer. They organised the work on sound and progressive lines, and laid the foundations of the success that has been achieved. On Miss Boys-Smith’s retirement. Miss llawson became professor, and Mrs Strong w'as appointed to the newly-created post of professor of household arts. On Miss Rawson’s marriage to Professor W. N, Benson, she was succeeded by Professor Strong, who has held the position of dean of the Home Science School for the past sixteen years. It is said that teachers are born, not made, and as is the case with her predecessors at Stndholme House this is illustrated in the work of Professor Strong. Possessed of vision, she had the gift of getting her wide knowledge across from the academic to the popular and to the homemaker. Begun really as an experiment, the Home Science School has established itself as an essential part of our University life, and has progressively developed into the valuable institution Mr Stndholme visualised. Professor Strong is entitled to the thanks of the community for her share of the good wohk. As Mr Robertson said at yesterday’s meeting of the council, the fruits of her labours are to be discovered in many quarters, and will cause her to be gratefully remembered.