Dorothea Berger received her M.A. from the University of Berlin and Ph.D.from the University of Bonn am Rheim. She came to Washington Square College in 1949 as an instructor in the German Language Department. In 1954 she became an Assistant Professor. She became a student counselor in 1959 and received a promotion to Associate Professor. In 1960 she became Acting Chairman of the German Language Department and remained a part of the teaching faculty until September 1961 when she became the successor to Dean Dorothy Arnold. Rather than Dean of Women, she received the title Counselor for Women Students. She did not report directly to the Dean of the College but to the Dean of Students. Her administrative powers and responsibilities were smaller than Dean Arnold's. In 1962 she became Assistant to the Dean of Students as well as Counselor for Women Students. In this capacity, she worked more closely with another office, Counseling and Advisory Services, than had her predecessor.
In 1965 another woman, Elsa Robinson, joined the Dean of Students' office as an Assistant to the Dean for Advisement and as a Counselor. In the Spring of 1966 Berger was one of seven assistants to the Dean for Advisement. The Fall of 1966 found Berger teaching again, as a full professor. Elsa Robinson was her apparent successor as counselor for women students.
Dorothea Berger became emeritus in 1973.
Sources:
- Arts & Sciences, Faculty of WSC: Reminiscences, Berger, Dorothea July 8, 1963.
From the guide to the The Dorothea Berger Papers, 1952-1966, (New York University Archives)
