Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

RS 21/7/106
Bessie Gerstenberger
Papers, 1936-2001, n.d.


Descriptive summary

creator:

Gerstenberger, Bessie

title:

Papers

dates:

1936-2001, n.d.

extent:

9.03 linear feet (21 document boxes and 1 half-document box)

collection number:

RS 21/7/106

repository:

University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access:

Open for research

publication rights:

Consult Head, Special Collections Department

preferred citation:

Bessie Gerstenberger Papers, RS 21/7/106, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Biographical note

Bessie Keeney Gerstenberger earned a B.S. (1937) in Zoology from Iowa State College (University), an M.A. (1941) in Health and Physical Education Administration from the University of Iowa, and a Ph.D. (1972) from the University of Illinois.

During World War II she worked as a social worker with families and military personnel in Columbus, Georgia; Burlington, Iowa; and Junction City, Kansas. In addition, she worked various scientific jobs, including work as a company inspector of the detonator line at the Iowa Ordnance Plant in Burlington, Iowa; a chemist at the Bluebonnet Ordnance Plant in McGregor, Texas; and a laboratory technician at the University of Illinois.

Following the war, Gerstenberger focused her career on education and recreation. She worked for the Iowa State University Extension Service as a State Health and 4-H Radio Specialist, and she developed curriculum in health, physical education, and recreation for school districts in Iowa. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, she held a variety of jobs as a private recreation consultant, an instructor for the YWCA in Des Moines, and an instructor of Women's Physical Education at Drake University. In 1967, Gerstenberger began work on her Ph.D. at the University of Illinois, where she also taught courses in recreation and physical education.

After earning her Ph.D. (1972), Gerstenberger became the State Educational Coordinator for the Iowa Office of Planning and Programming. She then worked in a variety of positions for the Department of Public Instruction. While there, she promoted programs for physical education for the handicapped, the use of computers in education, and health education.

In addition to her professional activities, Gerstenberger was active with Toastmasters International, a public speaking organization, as well as other civic and volunteer groups.

 

Collection description

This collection (1936-2001, n.d.) contains materials that document Gerstenberger's education, teaching, and her involvement in physical education for the handicapped, Senior Health Insurance Information Program, Leisurecraft and Counseling Camp, and Toastmasters International. The papers include reports, course materials, correspondence, and speeches. The collection also contains drafts and notes for Gerstenberger's doctoral dissertation entitled, A Study of Dimensions of Administrative Leader Behavior and Its Relationship to Situational Variables in the Departments of Professional Recreation Education in Colleges and Universities, which she wrote while a graduate student at the University of Illinois.

 

 

Description of series

Series 1

Physical Education for the Handicapped

1976-1981

extent:

0.84 linear feet (2 document boxes)

description:

This series contains material pertaining to Gerstenberger's involvement with the handicapped, developing physical education programs for the disabled, and legislation related to physical education for disabled students.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

1

Community Recreation for the Handicapped

1976

1

2

Handicapped Children's Act

1976

1

3

Legislative Notes on Physical Education for the Handicapped

1976

1

4

Physical Education for the Handicapped: Three Year Plan

1976

1

5

Physical Education for the Handicapped: Three Year Plan

1976-1981

1

6

Physical Education for the Handicapped: Three Year Plan

1977-1980

1

7

Physical Education for the Handicapped at Drake University and Iowa State University

1977-1982

1

8

Needs Assessment Instruments

1979

1

9

Documentation and Surveys

1979-1980

1

10

Physical Education for the Handicapped

1979-1981

2

1

Physical Education for the Handicapped

1979-1981

2

2

Physical Education for the Handicapped

1979-1982

2

3

Employment of the Handicapped

1979-1982

2

4

Physical Education Programs for the Handicapped in Iowa (PEPSHI)

1980

2

5

Physical Education Programs for the Handicapped in Iowa (PEPSHI)

1980

2

6

Physical Education Programs for the Handicapped in Iowa (PEPSHI)

1981

 

Description of series

Series 2

Professional Development

1958-1987, n.d.

extent:

4.62 linear feet (11 document boxes)

description:

This series contains materials relating to Gerstenberger's professional activities, including her records from recreational meetings, conferences, and programs; reports from government and educational agencies on the use of computers, recreation, special education, and the education for talented and gifted students. In addition, this series contains materials from specific programs, such as the Child Care Food Program. Finally, this series contains materials related to organizations of which Gerstenberger was a member, including the Executive Women's Breakfast Club.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

2

7

Rating Form for Agency Supervisors

1958

2

8

Recreation Conferences

1960-1969

2

9

American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (AAHPER): Newsletter and Publications

1967

3

1

Employment for Recreation Majors

1967

2

2

Illinois Parks and Recreation Training Institute

1967

3

3

National Parks and Recreation Association Congress

1969

3

4

Recreation Convention at Illinois State University

1969

3

5

Illini Union Staff: Social Committee

1969-1970

3

6

Community Recreation Leader Aptitude Inventory

1970

3

7

Report: "Education for Leisure: A National Policy and Position Statement of the Society of Park and Recreation Educators"

1970

3

8

Conventions

1970-1971

3

9-10

New Castle, Delaware, Parks and Recreation

1970-1971

3

11

Plan for Statewide Use of Computers in Education

1970-1976

3

12

American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (AAHPER): Conference

1971

3

13

Philadelphia Recreation Convention

1971

4

1

Recreation Leadership Research

1971-1973

4

2

Careers in Recreation

1972

4

3-6

Plan for Statewide Use of Computers in Education

1975

5

1

Plan for Statewide Use of Computers in Education

1975

5

2

Computing Activities in Secondary Education

1975-1976

5

3

State Wide Use of Computers in Education: Documentation

1975-1976

5

4

Educational Consulting

1975-1980

5

5-6

Iowa Plan for the Use of the Computer for Education

1976

5

7

Special Education

1976

5

8

American Education and Research Association

1976-1979

5

9

Education Conferences

1977

5

10

Iowa Talented and Gifted

1977

6

1

Iowa Talented and Gifted

1977

6

2

Human Relations Programs: Reviews

1977-1979

6

3-4

Comprehensive School Health Evaluation Task Force

1978

6

5

Iowa Talented and Gifted

1978

6

6

Role of Data Collection in Education

1978

6

7

Booklet: "Focus on Health and Nutrition: A Health Education Guide for High School Teachers"

1979

6

8

Iowa Talented and Gifted

1979

7

1

Iowa Talented and Gifted

1979

7

2

Iowa Talented and Gifted

1979

7

3

Title IV

1979

7

4

Title IV

1979

7

5

Title IV: General Information

1979

8

1

Title IV: Meeting Minutes

1979

8

2

Human Relations Programs: Correspondence

1979-1980

8

3

Women Educators (WE)

1979-1980

8

4

Women's Academic Advisory Committee

1979-1980

8

5

Executive Women's Breakfast Club

1979-1981

8

6

Health and Nutrition: Reference Materials

1979-1985

8

7

Booklet: "Content Ideas for the Gifted and Talented in Primary and Intermediate Education"

1980

8

8

Human Relations Programs: Guideline

1980

8

9

League of Women Voters

1980

9

1-3

South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education: In-service

1980

9

4-5

Teacher of the Year

1980

9

6

Newsletters and Memberships

1980-1981

10

1

Iowa Educational Research and Evaluation Association (IEREA): Membership

1980-1982

10

2

Executive Women's Program

1981

10

3-4

Human Relations Skills in Education

1981

10

5

Booklets: School Food Service Planning

1981-1982

10

6

Iowa Educational Research and Evaluation Association (IEREA)

1981-1982

10

7

Professional Activities: Listing and Correspondence

1982

10

8

Executive Women's Club

1982

10

9

Iowa Educational Forum

1982

11

1

Child Care Food Program: Evaluations

1983

11

2

Comparable Worth Project

1983

11

3

Competency Based Curriculum

1983

11

4

Conference Presentation: Menu Planning

1983

11

5

Food Program

1983

11

6-7

Short Course in School Food Service Management

1983

11

8

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

1984-1985

12

1

Child Care Food Program

1984-1985

12

2

Child Care Food Program: Objectives

1985

12

3

Child Care Food Program: Workshop

1985

12

4

Food Activities for Children

1985

12

5

Department of Public Instruction: Correspondence

1985-1986

12

6

Child Nutrition Program

1985-1988

12

7

Child Care Food Program

1986

13

1

Children and Families: Policies

1986

13

2

Child Care Food Program

1986-1987

13

3

Iowa State University Department of Health: Home Study Courses

n.d.

13

4

Leader Behavior Description

n.d.

13

5

Textbook Prototype

n.d.

 

Description of series

Series 3

Courses

1969-1972

extent:

0.42 linear feet (1 document box)

description:

This series includes coursework, notes, and class materials from Gerstenberger either taught or took as a doctoral student at the University of Illinois.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

14

1

Papers and coursework completed by Bessie Gerstenberger

1969

14

2

Psychology 459: Leadership and Group Effectiveness

1969

14

3

Recreation 100: Notes

1969

14

4

Psychology 459: Leadership and Group Effectiveness

1970

14

5

Lecture Notes and Reading Lists

1971-1972

14

6

Lecture Notes and Reading Lists

1971-1972

14

7

Annotated Bibliography

n.d.

 

Description of series

Series 4

Leisurecraft and Counseling Camp

1951-1975

extent:

0.42 linear feet (1 document box)

description:

This series contains annual reports, yearbooks, and activities from the Leisurecraft and Counseling Camp in Illinois.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

15

1

Sixteenth Annual Report

1951

15

2

Twenty-seventh Yearbook

1962

15

3

Leisurecraft and Counseling Camp

1964

15

4

Thirtieth Yearbook

1965

15

5

Thirty-first Yearbook

1966

15

6

Formal Arts and Crafts Sessions

1967

15

7

Formal Arts and Crafts Sessions

1967

15

8

Leisurecraft and Counseling Camp

1967

15

9

General Information

1967

15

10

Seven-forty puzzle

1967

15

11

Camp Assignments

1968

15

12

Thirty-third Yearbook

1968

15

13

Leisurecraft and Counseling Camp

1975

 

Description of series

Series 5

Ephemera

1936-1983, n.d.

extent:

0.42 linear feet (1 document box)

description:

This series contains numerous printed materials, pamphlets, and booklets related to Gersternberger's work with recreation and education.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

16

1

Booklet: "What Every Teacher Should Know About Her Students' Physical Condition"

1936

16

2

Ration Cookbook

ca. 1940s

16

3

Booklets on Health, Hygiene, and Sex Education

1944-1969

16

4

Party Themes

1950-1960

16

5

Booklet: "Postures on Parade," by the National Dairy Council

1952

16

6

Booklets on Mental Health

1952-1955

16

7

Booklets on Fitness and Physical Health

1963-1968

16

8

Booklet: Teaching Gymnastics

1964

16

9

Printed Materials on Recreation and Leisure

1965-1970

16

10

Printed Materials from Moore Gym Wear for Women

1966

16

11

Booklets on Menstruation by Tampax

1966

16

12

Training Handbook for Little League Baseball

1968

16

13

Publications and Manuals on Recreation

1968-1970

16

14

Booklet: "Keeping Up With Change in Rural Society"

1970

16

15

Cookbooks for the Childcare Food Program

1983

16

16

Booklets by Rawlings Athletic Equipment

n.d.

16

17

Pamphlets on Square Dancing

n.d.

 

Description of series

Series 6

Dissertation

1971-1973, n.d.

extent:

0.63 linear feet (1 document and 1 half-document box)

description:

This series contains materials, including notes, correspondence, and drafts, related to Gerstenberger's doctoral dissertation entitled, A Study of Dimensions of Administrative Leader Behavior and Its Relationship to Situational Variables in the Departments of Professional Recreation Education in Colleges and Universities, which she wrote while a graduate student at the University of Illinois.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

17

1

Letters and Replies

1971

17

2

Cards

1971-1973

17

3

Letters

1972

17

4

Letters

1972

17

5

Report for Seminar

1972

17

6

Plans

1972-1973

17

7

Plans

1973

17

8

Notes

n.d.

18

1

Notes

n.d.

18

2

Notes

n.d.

18

3

Notes

n.d.

18

4

Leadership Research

n.d.

 

Description of series

Series 7

Toastmasters International

1943-2000

extent:

1.26 linear feet (3 document boxes)

description:

This series includes materials related to Gerstenberger's activities with Toastmasters International, including newsletters, administrative documents from various Iowa chapters of Toastmasters, correspondence, and drafts of speeches.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

19

1

Booklet: "Basic Training for Toastmasters"

1943

19

2

Toastmasters Certificates

1974-1994

19

3

Vocational Industrial Clubs of America

1975

19

4

Newsletter: "Tips"

1976-1987

19

5

Toastmasters

1977

19

6

Toastmasters Distinguished Club Plan

1977-1978

19

7

Statesman Toastmasters

1977

19

8

Toastmasters Spokesmen Club

1978

19

9

Speech: "Communicating on Television"

1980

19

10

Speech: "Stereotyping"

1980

19

11

Toastmasters

1980-1989

20

1

Toastmasters International Club Management Plan

1980-1987

20

2

Toastmasters International Club Management Plan

1981-1987

20

3

Toastmasters International Club Management Plan

1981-1987

20

4

Toastmasters: Successful Leadership Workshop

1981

20

5

Master Toastmasters

1983

20

6

Speakers' Bureau

1983-1992

20

7

Introductions to Speech Craft

1984

20

8

Statesmen Toastmasters

1986-1988

20

9

Bob Jenkins Toastmasters Club

1987

20

10

Speech: "It's the Little Things that Show the Way"

1987

20

11

Toastmasters Advanced Communication and Leadership Program

1987

20

12

Speech: "Building Your Thinking Power"

1988

21

1

Toastmasters

1991-2000

21

2

Toastmasters

1991-2000

21

3

Speech: "How to Effectively Evaluate"

1991

21

4

Speech: "Professional Achievers"

1992

21

5

Toastmasters Fall Conference

1994

 

Description of series

Series 8

Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)

1991-2001, n.d.

extent:

0.42 linear feet (1 document box)

description:

This series includes materials pertaining to Gerstenberger's activities with the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), including speeches, correspondence, newsletters, administrative materials, and certificates.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

21

6

Speeches

1991-2000

21

7

Correspondence and Administrative Materials

1992-2000

21

8

Certificates and Certifications

1993-2001

21

9

Listing of Activities

1998-2000

21

10

Speech Materials and Ideas

n.d.