Walton, Jean, 1914-2006

Biographical Note

A native of George School, Pennsylvania, Dr. Jean B. Walton graduated with a BA degree from Swarthmore College in 1935 with Highest Honors. She earned a MA degree from Brown University and a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. She taught mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania after serving as the acting Dean of Women at Swarthmore College. Dr. Walton arrived in Claremont, California in September 1949 to serve as Dean of Women at Pomona College (1949-1969). She also served as Dean of Students (1969-1976) and Vice President for Student Affairs (1976-1979). With Professor Harry Carroll, she was instrumental in founding Pomona's Education Abroad Program, which she administered for many years. A Fulbright Lectureship in Counseling and Guidance in Tokyo, 1955-1956, and a consultancy with the Danforth Foundation seven years later, enabled Dr. Walton to further her interest in the education of women. In 1972, as a result of her suggestions, Pomona College President David Alexander established a Commission on the Education of Women to make recommendations about equal employment opportunities for women on the Pomona College faculty and to develop curriculum responsive to the needs of women students. In 1975, for her contribution to the success of a new interdisciplinary course dealing with changing sex roles in contemporary society, Dr. Walton received the Wig Award for Distinguished Teaching. Dr. Walton has held high elected office with the California Association of Women Administrators and Counselors and the National Association of Women Deans, Administrators, and Counselors. In 1974, she received the prestigious Scott Goodnight Award from the National Association for Student Personnel Administrators for her outstanding performance as dean. At the time of her retirement, some of her former students established the Jean B. Walton Scholarship Fund in her honor, and in 1981, a new residential lounge on the Pomona College campus was named Walton Commons, in recognition of her many years of distinguished service. A cofounder of the Intercollegiate Women's Studies program, Dr. Walton acted as its first coordinator and played a major role in the program for many years.