Iowa State University. College of Family and Consumer Sciences

Iowa State University first established coursework in "domestic economy" in 1872. The first instructor was Mary B. Welch, wife of University President, Adonijah Welch. In 1875 the Department of Domestic Economy was formed. It was among the earliest domestic economy departments in the United States. The department's name was changed in 1912 to the Department of Home Economics and in 1914 gained divisional status as the Division of Home Economics. At that time the curricula were domestic science and domestic art. A physical culture curriculum was added in 1915. The division was designated the College of Home Economics in 1959 when Iowa State College became Iowa State University. The name of the College was changed in 1987 to the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.