May, Elizabeth Eckhardt, 1899-

Educator, administrator, writer and researcher; held appointments at West Virginia University, Executive Secretary of the White House Conference on Children in Democracy; joined the University of Connecticut faculty in 1952 as Dean of the School of Home Economics and served at the University until retirement in 1964; died in 1996.

Elizabeth Eckhardt May, a former University of Connecticut dean, was born on 18 February 1899 in Folsom, NJ . She earned her first degree from Trenton State Normal School in Trenton, NJ . She received a Bachelor of Science, Masters of Arts, and her Doctoral Degree in Education from Columbia University . Along with these, Dr. May also received her Professional degree from the Columbia University Teachers College, specializing in Adult Education.

As a noted educator, administrator, writer and researcher, Dr. May began her career with the West Virginia University Agricultural Extension Service. She began, there, as a County Home Demonstration Agent and worked her way up through District Agent to State Specialist in Community Organization. During her tenure at West Virginia University, Dr. May became the Executive Secretary of Oglebay Institute and also was in charge of the programs run at Oglebay Park in Wheeling, WV .

Her career continued on with her appointment as Executive Secretary of the White House Conference on Children in Democracy. Following this service, she taught at both the University of Minnesota and the University of Michigan . In 1943, Dr. May was named Academic Dean and Dean of Faculty at Hood College in Frederick, MD . Dr. May joined the faculty of the University of Connecticut in 1952 as Dean of the School of Home Economics. She retired from the University in 1964.

Along with her work as Dean, Dr. May pioneered and directed a project focusing on rehabilitation of the handicapped. Her focus broadened with research in independent living for the handicapped and the elderly. In conjunction with other professors from the University of Connecticut, she conducted an International Exhibit about rehabilitation for the handicapped. Her sabbatical study entailed traveling Europe and researching European methods of rehabilitation of the handicapped. She served as a member on the President's Committee on the Employment of the Handicapped.

After her retirement from the University of Connecticut, Dr. May published two books, with her co-authors, Neva Waggoner and Eleanor Hotte, entitled Homemaking for the Handicapped (1966) and Independent Living for the Handicapped and the Elderly (1974). She continued to work in the field of rehabilitation as a consultant and a lecturer.

Elizabeth Eckhardt was married to a noted New York architect, Charles C. May. They had one child, Margaret May Kessel . Dr. May has been honored with a number of awards for her scholarly work and service. Elizabeth May died in 1996.