Hieronymus, Bess, 1922-2008

Bess Hieronymus was a professor emeritus in the UTSA Department of Music. Hieronymus was the first woman appointed to full professor at UTSA and the first person to receive a doctor of musical arts degree in organ performance and musicology from the University of Texas at Austin.

From the description of Bess Hieronymus papers, 1930-2004. (University of Texas at San Antonio). WorldCat record id: 416608717

Bess Hieronymus was a professor emeritus in the UTSA Department of Music. Born June 22, 1922, in Temple, Texas, Hieronymus was the first woman appointed to full professor at UTSA, where she developed and spearheaded the organ studies program.

Hieronymus was the first person to receive a doctor of musical arts degree in organ performance and musicology from the University of Texas at Austin. For 17 years, she organized the William C. Hall Organ Competition for undergraduate and graduate organ students in Texas universities.

Hieronymus' many awards and accomplishments include the J.C. Penney Award, The Headliner Award, Texas Teachers Award, Outstanding Alumna Award for Professional Achievements, two Hall of Fame Awards for exceptional talent and the Yellow Rose of Texas Education Award. She was the first American and first woman awarded membership in the prestigious National Russian Musical Society. Additionally, the Texas House of Representatives passed a resolution thanking her for her musical contributions to Texas.

Source: Harris, Ashley. "Professor Emeritus Bess Hieronymus dies March 22." UTSA Today, 27 March 2008. Retrieved from http://www.utsa.edu/today/2008/03/hieronymus.cfm (Accessed May 4, 2009).

From the guide to the Bess Hieronymus Papers UA 99. 0007., 1930-2004, (University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections)