Tyler, Leona E. (Leona Elizabeth), 1906-1993

Leona Elizabeth Tyler was born on May 10, 1906 in Chetek, Wisconsin. Her family moved to northern Minnesota amidst the Mesabi Iron Range when she was a girl. Tyler graduated with her BA in English from the University of Minnesota at the age of 19. After graduating, she became a teacher for the next 13 years. While taking a summer course at the University of Minnesota on individual differences from Professor Donald Patterson, Tyler was persuaded to enter the university's PhD program in psychology. She completed her PhD in 1941 with a dissertation on the development of high school female interests. This dissertation became the 1941 article, The Measured Interests of Adolescent Girls.

Tyler took a position in the psychology department at the University of Oregon in 1940. Leona taught individual differences, testing, and counseling while reaching across to the counseling and education departments to advise graduate students. At the conclusion of World War II, Tyler developed a veteran's counseling service at the university. This service would develop into the University Counseling Center. In 1965, she became dean of the Graduate School at Oregon and remained there until mandatory retirement in 1971. Upon retirement, she became a professor and dean emeritus.

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