M'Ledge Moffet Collection: Student and Faculty Records
RU 4.1.4

Summary Information

Repository
McConnell Library Archives and Special Collections
Title
M'Ledge Moffett Collection: Student and faculty records: Group 4
ID
RU 4.1.4
Date [inclusive]
1913-1962
Extent
13.5 Linear feet
Physical Description
Contains reports, papers, and other documents.
Location
Located in locked compact shelving, level 1.
Language
English
Abstract
M’Ledge Moffet was the Director of Home Economics from 1913-1944 and the Dean of Women from 1920-1962. She kept extensive records during these years, and this collection contains records on students, student organizations, faculty, and faculty publications.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], M'Ledge Moffet Collection, Radford University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University, Radford, VA.

Return to Table of Contents »

Biographical note

M'Ledge Moffett was born in 1892, the only child of William Ledgerwood Moffett and Mary Stoops Moffett. The name M'Ledge was formed from shortened versions of her parents names, Mary and Ledgerwood. M'Ledge seems to have inherited little else from her father beyond using a shortened version of his middle name as the second syllable of the name by which she was generally known. However, her mother, Mary S. Moffett, was very influential in M'Ledge's life by virtue of raising M'Ledge in a school environment. Prior to M'Ledge's birth, Mary Moffett taught at a school in Riverside, Ohio. Due to William's ill health, the Moffetts moved to Virginia in 1893 where during M'Ledge's early and adolescent years, Mary Moffett taught at the Midway School, and at the Ruffner School in Manassas, Virginia. Mary Moffett served as school principal at the Manassas Institute where her daughter was a student. She was a pioneer in home economics education and was credited for recognizing that home economics was worthy of consideration at a professional state meeting.

M'Ledge followed in her mother's path, attending the newly-opened State Normal School in Harrisonburg, Virginia (now James Madison University), graduating in 1910 with a Full Degree in Household Arts. Harrisonburg was the first school to offer such a degree in Virginia and Moffett was one of the first two graduates. From Harrisonburg, Moffett went to Columbia University's Teachers College in New York City. While working towards her Bachelor of Science degree in 1913 from Columbia, M'Ledge spent her summers as a Household Arts instructor at a Summer Normal School in Covington, Virginia.

Around this time that M'Ledge was at Harrisonburg Normal School and then at Columbia University, the Virginia Legislature established the "State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Radford" and John Preston McConnell, a professor/dean at Emory and Henry College in Emory, Virginia, was appointed as president of the new school. One of his first tasks was the appointment of a faculty. There are no records available to document how McConnell recruited instructors to staff the normal school but it seems reasonable to assume the following in Moffett's case:

McConnell, a native Virginian, like Moffett had grown up in a family that emphasized education. As a Dean at Emory and Henry and someone who was deeply interested in the education of women, McConnell was probably familiar with the work of Mary Stoops Moffett. And he was probably cognizant of the fact that M'Ledge Moffett was eminently qualified to serve as the school's sole instructor in Household Arts. One wonders if the younger Moffett applied for the job or McConnell heard of her from her mother or from Julian Burruss, president of the Harrisonburg Normal School during the time when M'Ledge was a student. Unfortunately, there is no record of the first meeting/interview between McConnell and Moffett. In any event, Moffett's name was on the list of instructors approved by the school's Board of Trustees in June, 1913.

Moffett arrived in Radford on September 11, 1913, as the youngest faculty member and the only member of the Household Arts Department, a month after the school's formal dedication in August, 1913, and only a few days before classes began. She apparently quickly proved her ability to handle herself under pressure because McConnell almost immediately put her in charge of the school's sole dormitory. In Moffett's History of the State Teachers College at Radford, Virginia, 1910-1930, McConnell wrote in the third person of Moffett that, "in the judgment of the president, she was the most suitable person for this trying position, this she filled with great satisfaction to all concerned. This was the beginning of her official duties in the college."

President McConnell assigned Miss Moffett several other duties. Since she had had previous experience as a charter member of the Lee Literary Society at Harrisonburg Normal School, Moffett and two others were appointed to a committee to establish the college's first two campus organizations--the Ingles and Pocahontas Literary Societies. In addition to literary pursuits, the two societies emphasized dramatic performances, social gatherings, and debates. Moffett served as faculty adviser to the Ingles Literary Society which was named in honor of Mary Draper Ingles, famous for escaping from Indian captivity in the late 18th century. While interest in the literary societies had waned by the 1930s, the Ingles and Pocahontas names are on two of Radford University's residence halls.

Moffett also participated in the formation of the Student Government Association (1914) and the Grapurchat student newspaper (1921). The Student Government Association and the Tartan (the Grapurchat's successor) remain integral parts of campus life.

For the first several years after the college opened, Moffett taught all of the Household Arts courses (Elementary Sewing, Elementary Cooking and Household Management) which met five times a week. In 1918, the Department doubled in size with the hiring of Myrtle Burnette. Moffett was one of six founding members of the Virginia Home Economics Association and president of the organization during the years 1915-1916 and 1925-1926. During the summers of 1916 through 1920, Moffett took courses at Columbia University’s Teachers College and received a Masters degree in 1921. She received her doctorate from Columbia in 1929, writing her dissertation on "The social background and activities of teachers college students". The dissertation, later published as a book, was the first of many publications.

In 1920, the Radford Normal School was reorganized and McConnell appointed Moffett as the new Dean of Women, a year before she received her Master of Arts degree. She was the first person to hold that post at any of the Virginia institutions of higher education. She held the Dean's post until her retirement in 1962.

In the preface to Moffett's history of the school, McConnell praised Moffett for having, "an inquisitive mind, great energy, and a keen sense of the worth of historical facts." McConnell went on to say that her duties, "have so expanded in the last two decades that she [has] an intimate personal knowledge and contact with every phase of the institutional life and its development. Her association with the president and the administrative officers has given her a knowledge of the personality of the President, members of the faculty, and other officials of the institution that is absolutely unique."

McConnell's statement would hold true for at least 30 years through the administrations of Presidents Peters and Martin and several thousand students.

Moffett retired from Radford in 1962 but never relinquished her love of the institution. She died in 1969. In her will, Moffett left much of her estate in a scholarship fund originally established by her mother. Moffett wrote "I now pass the inheritance of the fruit of her labor, as manifest through me to other women that they may catch a part of the vision she had."

Return to Table of Contents »

Arrangement

Contains records accumlated by M'Ledge Moffet and includes information about students, faculty, and alumnae. Alumnae files are generally arranged in alphabetical order. Student Lists are arranged by date.

Return to Table of Contents »

Administrative Information

Publication Information

McConnell Library Archives and Special Collections

McConnell Library
PO Box 6881
Radford, Virginia
540-831-5692
archives@radford.edu

Restrictions to Access

An appointment for research is required. The collection is open for research. No interlibrary loan.

Accruals Note

Additional accruals are not expected.

Processing

Processed by Gene Hyde and Kimberly Moore, 2010. Additional processing by Ashley Tussey, Spring 2012. Additional Processing by Andy Bristol, Summer 2013.

Return to Table of Contents »

Collection Inventory

Alumnae 

Box 1: M'Ledge Moffet Collection 4.1 

Folder 1: Correspondence, Miscellaneous 

Folder 2: Abernathy - Bagwell 

Folder 3: Bailey - Blackwell 

Folder 4: Blackwell - Brown 

Folder 5: Brown - Cauthorn 

Folder 6: Carr - Combs 

Folder 7: Compton - Crenshaw 

Folder 8: Crockett - Diaz 

Box 2: M'Ledge Moffet Collection 4.1 

Folder 9: Dickenson - Elmore 

Folder 10: Elmore - Gardner 

Folder 11: Gardner - Goodwin 

Folder 12: Goodyhoentz - Harman 

Folder 13: Harper - Henrick 

Folder 14: Hickman - Hurley 

Folder 15: Hurley - Jones 

Folder 16: Jones - King 

Folder 17: King - Lowman 

Box 3: M'Ledge Moffet Collection 4.1 

Folder 18: Lucas - McKee 

Folder 19: McMillan - Monroe 

Folder 20: Montgomery - Nickles 

Folder 21: Nickles - Pedigs 

Folder 22: Pedigs - Price 

Folder 23: Price - Rhudy 

Folder 24: Rhudy - Rouse 

Folder 25: Rouse - Shelon 

Box 4: M'Ledge Moffet Collection 4.1 

Folder 26: Shelton - Snodgrass 

Folder 27: Speer - Sutcliffe 

Folder 28: Sutphin - Turner 

Folder 29: Turner - Webb 

Folder 30: Whilliams - Wilson 

Folder 31: Windle - Young 

Folder 32: Correspondence, Miscellaneous 

Folder 33: Alumnae Correspondence 

Folder 34: Alumnae Lists, Alumnae Association Documentation 

Box 5: M'Ledge Moffet Collection 4.1 

Folder 35: Alumnae Lists 

Folder 36: Alumnae Correspondence 

Folder 37: Alumnae Correspondence 

Folder 38: Alumnae Association Documentation 

Folder 39: Miscellaneous 

Return to Table of Contents »

Student Lists 

Box 1: M'Ledge Moffet Collection 4.1 

Folder 1: c. 1920s 

Folder 2: c. 1930s 

Folder 3: c. 1940s 

Return to Table of Contents »

Student Organizations 

Box 1: Student Organizations, Publications, and Activities 

Folder 1: Student Employment (1920-1963) 

Folder 2: May Day Programs and Invitations (1966-1970) 

Folder 3: The Grapurchat May Day Queens Edition (1960-1962) 

Folder 4: Freshman Orientation Programs (1926-1970) 

Folder 5: Letters sent to families of students from John Preston McConnell (1925-1932) 

Folder 6: General Information for students 

Folder 7: Student Programs (1922-1935) 

Folder 8: Student Activities (1927-1973) 

Folder 9: Student Activity Building Account Books (1929-1939) 

Folder 10: General Student Regulations (1921-1934) 

Folder 11: Health Regulations (Circa 1926) 

Folder 12: Absent Regulations/Notices (1921-1935) 

Folder 13: Holiday Regulations (Circa 1924) 

Folder 14: Commencement Regulations (1924-1930) 

Box 2: Student Organizations, Publications, and Activities 

Folder 1: Pocahontas Literary Society Western Union Telegrams (1927) 

Folder 2: Pocahontas Literary Society Checks and Statements (1935) 

Folder 3: Pocahontas Literary Society Letters to the Society (1925-28) 

Folder 4: Pocahontas Literary Society Programs 

Folder 5: Pocahontas Literary Society Officers (1913-1931) 

Folder 6: Pocahontas Literary Society Ledger book (1937-1938) 

Folder 7: Pocahontas Literary Society Treasurer Reports 1932-1933 

Folder 8: Young Women's Christian Association Programs (1915-1936) 

Folder 9: Young Women's Christian Association Stunt Night 

Folder 10: Young Women's Christian Association Minutes 1932-1933 

Folder 11: Riding Club Ledger Book 

Folder 12: 7 Minus 5 Student Drawings 

Folder 13: Writer's Club: The Hurdy Gurdy (1938) 

Folder 14: Drama: "John Swift" play 

Folder 15: Drama: "Coal" 

Folder 16: Camptown Races (1970) 

Folder 17: Business Education Quarterly Booklet (1939) 

Folder 18: Student Articles (1962) 

Folder 19: The Grapurchat (1924-1939) 

Folder 20: Dissertations and Theses (1921-1923) 

Faculty Records and Publications 

Box 1 

Folder 1: Faculty Writings (1935-1953) 

Folder 2: Faculty Writings (1919-1972) 

Folder 3: Faculty Biographies (1942-1968) 

Folder 4: Faculty Biographies 

Folder 5: Faculty Biographies (The Jervey-Martin Court Case) (1960-763) 

Folder 6: Miscellaneous (1926-1965) 

Box 2 

Folder 1: Faculty General Information (1951-1972) 

Folder 2: Faculty Correspondence (1930-1935) 

Folder 3: Faculty Correspondence (1932-1935) 

Folder 4: Faculty Correspondence (1936-1940) 

Folder 5: Faculty Correspondence (1923-1924) 

Folder 6: Faculty Correspondence (1941-1944) 

Box 3 

Folder 1: Faculty Committees and Meetings General (1920-1950) 

Folder 2: Graduate Committee Minutes (April 1952- May 1961) 

Folder 3: Faculty Assembly Minutes (1969-1970) 

Folder 4: Graduate Committee Minutes (1958-1960) 

Folder 5: Graduate Committee Minutes (1954-1960) 

Box 4 

Folder 1: Faculty Correspondence (1944-1948) 

Folder 2: Faculty Correspondence (1950-1963) 

Folder 3: Faculty Correspondence (Dr. Jean Tyler's letters (1930-1935) 

Folder 4: Faculty Organizations (1930-1937) 

Folder 5: Faculty Assembly Minutes (1969-1970) 

Box 5 

Folder 1: Faculty Biographies 

Folder 2: Faculty Biographies 

Folder 3: Faculty Writings (1934-1935) 

Box 6 

Folder 1: Faculty Assesmbly Minutes (1970-1971) 

Folder 2: Faculty Assembly Minutes (1971-1973) 

Folder 3: Faculty Organizations (1930-1937) 

Folder 4: Faculty Organizations; Faculty Affairs Assembly Council Minutes (September-November 1973) 

Folder 5: Faculty Organizations Miscellaneous (1929-1973) 

Folder 6: Graduate Committee (1970-1973) 

Folder 7: Faculty Organizations: National Society of Professors 

Box 7 

Folder 1: Last Regulations of Student Organizations Committee 

Folder 2: Reports of Dormitory Activities 1957-1958 

Folder 3: Rules & Regulations, Correspondence, and other Miscellaneous Papers 

Folder 4: Reports of Dormitory Life 1/3 

Folder 5: Reports of Dormitory Life 2/3 

Folder 6: Reports of Dormitory Life 3/3 

Box 8 

Folder 1: Rules & Regulations 

Folder 2: Regulations 1954-1956, 1958-1960 

Folder 3: Rules & Regulations 1930-1933, 1939 

Folder 4: Rules & Regulations 1930-1932 

Folder 5: Rules & Regulations 1931 

Folder 6: Food Expenditures 

Folder 7: Love Tea Room 

Folder 8: Miscellaneous Regulations & other Papers 

Box 9 

Folder 1: Heth House 

Folder 2: Campus Regulations - includes War-time Policies 

Folder 3: Reports On Dormitory Life 1947-1948, 1950-1957 

Folder 4: Reports On Dormitory Life 1935-1938, 1945-1950 

Folder 5: Reports On Dormitory Life 1949, 1951-1953