By: Kelly Beck

As part of the Engineering Library’s rotating student displays, the March display brings together history, engineering, the libraries, and student successes. In celebration of Women’s History Month the library worked with SWE (Society of Women Engineers) to look back on the history of women in engineering at Penn State, and the accomplishments of recent graduates. The display also highlights resources available through the Engineering Library and Penn State for women in engineering, as well as encouraging current students to go to SWE events on campus.

One of the display posters focuses on the first women to graduate from Penn State with engineering degrees. Graduating in 1945, four women received degrees from the College of Engineering and Architecture, two in electrical, one in mechanical, and one in industrial engineering. In total that year, 56 engineering degrees were awarded to women from all universities in the United States. The Penn State graduates that year were Dorthea Pauline
Harrington, Althea June Schaffer, Margret Phillips Haden, and Mary Eileen Stroup. Facing significant pushback, these women helped pave the way for more than 1,000 women to graduate with an engineering degree from Penn State each year. It also highlights the bigger picture of women in engineering, and how many more opportunities there are today, thanks to pioneers like the first four graduates.

The second poster highlights four recent female engineering graduates to show the successes of Penn State, SWE, and the engineering program. The women all have varying occupations,
fields of work, and degrees, and highlight the different paths possible for students as they enter the workforce. For this display, material and information was provided by SWE Penn State, from their alumna listserv and other historical material. The Libraries’ resources we highlight include different materials on success and mentorship for women in engineering, as well as several historical pieces that highlight women in engineering. The books and materials highlighted are available for checkout and use by patrons throughout March. We also feature SWE information, to encourage more participation in SWE, as well as the LibGuides related to diversity within engineering on two iPads.

Kelly Beck, a student in Community, Environment, and Development and an Engineering Library employee, was connected with SWE by Instruction Librarian Paul McMonigle, to develop and create the posters for this display. Her interests are in sustainable design and engineering, and in encouraging women to pursue STEAM degrees and interests.