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

RS 13/1/51
Swenson, Ruth Bowman
Papers, 1924-[ongoing]

Descriptive summary

creator:	Swenson, Ruth Bowman
title:	Papers
dates:	1924-[ongoing]
extent:	6.09 linear feet (11 document boxes and 7 half-document boxes)
collection number:	RS 13/1/51
repository:	University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

Administrative information

access:	Open for research
publication rights:	Consult Head, Special Collections Department
preferred citation:	Ruth Bowman Swenson Papers, RS 13/01/51, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

Biographical note

Ruth Carolyn Bowman was born on July 16. 1924, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the only child of Charles and Dorothy Bowman. She grew up in a Pennsylvania mining community and spent all of her summers at Fairfield Beach, Connecticut with her family. After graduating at the top of her class at West Pittston High School, Bowman entered Mount Holyoke College in 1942. Four years later, she graduated Magnum Cum Laude and emerged with an A.B. in chemistry. In 1947, she married William Cooper Wildman, a fellow graduate in chemistry at the University of Illinois, where it took just one year for Wildman to earn a Masters of Science degree. After working for three years, she paused for the next fifteen years in order to raise a family. While teaching at Princeton, her husband earned the Guggenheim Fellowship, which took the family to Switzerland in 1960. She trekked to Scandinavia, Brazil, and Japan, among other places during those years. The moved to Ames, Iowa in 1962 when her husband was offered a faculty position in the Chemistry Department at Iowa State University. With two sons in high school she decided it was time to obtain a Ph.D., this time in cell biology, from Iowa State University. After successfully meeting the doctoral requirements in 1969, she immediately became Assistant Professor of Botany, a position she held until 1975.

Just as she made a mid-academic switch from chemistry to cell biology, Wildman made a career change from scientist to administrator. In 1980, while serving as Assistant Dean for the College of Science and Humanities (precursor to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), She remarried long-time friend, Clayton Albert Swenson, a distinguished professor of physics. She took a six-month faculty leave in 1984 at Los Alamos National Laboratory and interviewed research and development directors in biotechnology companies and national laboratories to determine what they were looking for in employee qualifications. On returning to Ames, she was elected to the board of the Iowa Academy of Science and the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). Since 1987, Swenson has been Professor Emerita of the Sciences. Utilizing both fields has helped her to promote science careers for women. In 1989, she was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame. In retirement, she remains active with university related activities, civic participation, and travel.

Collection description

This collection (1924-[ongoing]) primarily documents Swenson's career as an administrator at Iowa State University, however some of her scientific work is included. In an administrative Swenson championed many causes, as evidenced by her membership in numerous organizations. Perhaps most important is how she successfully advocated science as a career for women. Swenson's papers depict a career oriented, active, and involved woman. For the most part, the collection deals with her public and professional life.

The Biographical and Personal Documents series contains various certificates and letters from important events in Swenson's life, such as her birth, marriages, academic, and professional career. This folder also contains some pictures not found in the Photographs series. Given that Swenson is a meticulous person, she has provided an inventory of every item in this folder. Particularly helpful is her curriculum vitae, located at the back of the folder.

Major components of the Correspondence series include professional, personal, and miscellaneous letters. Although the bulk of the correspondence dates from 1977 to 1993, it shows the vast number of contacts and friends Swenson has made throughout her life. Most of the correspondence contains congratulatory remarks regarding her initiation into the Iowa Women's hall of fame.

The Scientist series contains three sub-series. "Student" contains Swenson's undergraduate thesis, "Distributed Quinolines," and Ph.D. dissertation, "Studies on Nucleoplasm and the Photosynthetic Pigment System of Blue-green Algae" Her cell biology publications and in some cases the data and slides which accompany the articles are located in the "Professional Biological Research" sub-series, as is the textbook she co-authored. Moreover, the Iowa Academy of Science" sub-series depicts the roles she played fir this organization as President. Especially strong in this sub-series are the minutes from board meetings; however, records from the committees on which she served also appear. The collection lacks teaching materials from her days as a Professor of Botany.

Within the Administrator series are with sub-series that highlight various aspects of Swenson's life after she made a mid-career switch from science. "ISU Quarter to Semester Transition," consists of records that document the academic calendar transition and Swenson's involvement in it as the Semester Transition Information Committee Chair. In "Speeches/Talks," there are materials, mainly in her own hand, pertinent to the speeches, seminars, and symposia that she gave from 1977 to 2000. "National Academic Advising Association (NACADA)," holds the task reports she authored and co-authored. Some of the nine task reports found in this sub-series have been recognized as ‘Best of the Year' within the NACADA organization, which attempts to improve the quality of advising students with special needs (i.e. adults, minorities, et cetera) at the college level. Swenson was granted a one-year leave period in 1984-1985 to conduct interviews at scientific sites across the country, which can be located in the "Faculty Improvement Interviews" sub-series. "Grant Proposals" is comprised of four programs that Swenson lobbied for in the late 1980s. In particular, box 8, folders 4-8, show a proposal made at the Iowa Scientific Foundation about promoting science for women. This sub-series is significant because it shows Swenson's tenacity—she has worked hard to get women involved in science throughout her life. "Honors Seminar: ‘Biotechnology: Hype of Hope?'" contains syllabus, assignments, and exams administered for this 1986 course. Moreover, the course evaluations show Swenson to be an excellent professor. "Trip to Peoples' Republic of China," contains itineraries, notes, and her remarks of the two-week excursion made in 1986 with thirteen other academic deans from across the country. Finally, located within the "Program for Women in Science and Engineering sub-series are committee works and notes taken during her time in the organization.

"Grant proposals" is comprised of four programs that Swenson lobbied for in the late-1980s. In particular, Box 8, folders 4-8, show a proposal made to the Iowa Scientific Foundation about promoting science for women. This sub-series is significant because it shows Swenson's tenacity-- she has worked hard to get women involved in science throughout her life. "Honors seminar: 'Biotechnology: Hype or Hope?"' contains the syllabus, assignments, and exams she administered for this 1986 course. Moreover, the course evaluations show Swenson to be an excellent professor. "Trip to Peoples' Republic of China," contains itineraries, notes, and her remarks of the two-week excursion made in 1986 with thirteen other academic deans from across the country. Finally, located within the "Program for Women in Science and Engineering" sub-series are committee works and notes taken during her time in this organization.

The fifth series, Photographs, contains about sixty pictures of Swenson's parents, childhood friends, and favorite travel spots. Unlike the rest of the collection, all of the years of her life are represented within the Photographs series. The other four series lack a great deal between the years 1949-1967, the time she spent raising her family.

Container list

Box	Folder	Title	Dates
1	1	Biographical and Personal Documents	1924-2005
2	1	Correspondence, Personal, Congratulatory, Iowa Women's Hall of Fame	1989
2	2	Correspondence, Personal, Congratulatory, Miscellaneous	1989
2	3	Correspondence, Personal, Contacts from China Trip	1987-1987
2	4	Correspondence, Professional, Mount Holyoke Alumni Quarterly	1985
2	5	Correspondence, Professional, Iowa Women's Hall of Fame	1989
2	6	Correspondence, Professional, Iowa Academy of Science	1989
2	7	Correspondence, Miscellaneous	1977-1993
3	1	Undergraduate thesis	1946
3	2	Dissertation	1969
3	3	Dissertation: plate numbers and magnifications	1969
4	1	Science journal publications	1948-1988
4	2	Phycobilisomes -- data and slides	1974
4	3	Influence of Blue-green Algae on the pH and Buffer Capacity of Culture Media	1974
4	4	Phycobilisomes in Blue-green Algae	1974
4	5	Phytoferrin Associated with Yellowing in Leaves	1976
4	6	Development and Germination of Akinetes of Aphanizomenen Flos-aqaue	1975
4	7	Improving water quality Completion report	1975
4	8	Improving water quality Completion report	1979
4	9	Selected paper in phycology collection	1981
4	10	Book: Becoming a Biologist	1974
5	3-12	Iowa Academy of Science Board Meetings	1986-1990
5	1	Iowa Academy of Science Symposium on coal	1977
5	2	Iowa Academy of Science Ad hoc publications committee	1986
5	13	Iowa Academy of Science Controversial issues committee	1986-1990
5	14	Iowa Academy of Science Election committee	1991-1992
6	9-11	Iowa Academy of Science Speech	1985-1989
6	1-2	ISU quarter to semester transition	1980-1981
6	23-24	Women in Science and Engineering summer interns Speech	1991-1992
6	3	Iowa Science, Engineering, and Humanities Symposium Speech	1978
6	4	Simpson College Speech	1984
6	5	Perspectives in Biology Seminar Speech	1985
6	6	University of Northern Iowa's Seminar on Biotechnology Speech	1986
6	7	Drake University Speech	1987
6	8	ISU Career Day Speech	1988
6	12	Elementary Teachers Institute Speech	1989
6	13	Iowa Women's Hall of Fame Speech	1989
6	14	Iowa State University's Women in Science and Engineering Scholarship Awards dinner Speech	1989
6	15	Women in Agriculture, Sigma Alpha Delta Chapter Speech	1989
6	16	Martin Luther King Day award Speech	1990
6	17	Governor's Conference on Women and Minorities in Science and Mathematics Speech	1990
6	18	Alumni Hall plaque dedication Speech	1990
6	19	President's banquet, Drake University Speech	1990
6	20	Public symposium Speech	1990
6	21	Introduction to John Chrystal's speech to ISU retirees	1990
6	22	Presentation of Laura Vernon Awards Speech	1991
6	25	Introductory remarks for an ISU retiree Speech	1991
6	26	Liberal Arts and Sciences retirees to meet Dean Elizabeth Hoffman Speech	1993
6	27	Over 60 Club Speech	1993
7	1-9	National Academic Advising Association Task Reports	1983-1987
7	10	Faculty improvement interviews, industry	1984-1985
7	11	Faculty improvement interviews, toxicology	1984-1985
7	12	Faculty improvement interviews, genetics	1984-1985
7	13	Faculty improvement interviews, experimental pathology	1984-1985
7	14	Faculty improvement interviews, environmental science	1984-1985
7	15	Faculty improvement interviews, outside life sciences	1984-1985
7	16	Faculty improvement interviews, summaries	1984-1985
7	17	Faculty improvement interviews, Los Alamos National Laboratory	1984
8	1-8	Grant Proposals	1985-1990
8	9	Honors seminar: Biotechnology: Hype or Hope?	1986
8	10	Trip to Peoples' Republic of China	1986
9	5-6	Photographs	1924-1991
9	1	National Science Foundation report: Project to Attract and Retain Women Science Majors	1977
9	2	Program for Women in Science and Engineering, Planning committee	1986-1993
9	3	Program for Women in Science and Engineering, Advisory Board	1988
9	4	Program for Women in Science and Engineering, Miscellaneous notes	1986
10	10-12	ISU Research brochures	1984-1986
10	1	Iowa Governor's Priorities	1989
10	2	ISU Biotech administrators	1985
10	3	Masters (Biotech)	1985
10	4	Biotech/Working file	1986
10	5	Ag Bioethics Forum	1993
10	6	Ag Bioethics Forum	1989
10	7	Bioethics (empty)	n.d.
10	8	Sustainable Agriculture/Ground water Protection	1988-1990
10	9	ISU Biological Sciences	1990
10	13	Preps Office resources/paper	1985-1986
10	14	ISU Research brochures	1984-1987
10	15	ISU Research Centers	1986
10	16	Research Parks	1985-1990
11	1	Image Analysis Facility	1988
11	2	Iowa Biotechnology Consortium	1988
11	3	ISU Research brochures ISU Research brochures	1984
11	4	Biotechnology-Drake University	1987
11	5	ISU/Biotechnology liaison	1987
11	6	ISU Biotechnology Faculty Directory	1985
11	7	Laser facilities	1987
11	8	Life Sciences Symposium	1987
11	9	Biotechnology Methods series	1987
11	10	Molecular Biology Building	1988
11	11	Major in Plant Pathology and Molecular Biology	1986
11	12	Biotechnology assistantships/scholarships	n.d.
11	13	S & H Biotechnology Group	1984-1986
11	14	ISU Biotechnology Instructional Center	1988
11	15	Release of genetically altered plants	1989
11	16	Iowa economic development Biotechnology Faculty	1983-1989
11	17	Andrews, Robert	n.d.
11	18	Atherly, Alan	1983-1985
11	19	Crow, Michael	1987
11	20	Crumpton, William	1984-1985
11	21	Fehr, Walter	1984-1985
11	22	Gendel, Stephen	1988-1989
11	23	Frawley, L. Stephen	1985
11	24	Glass, Lynn	1984-1986
11	25	Glatz, Bonita	1987
11	26	Ackerman, Ralph A.	1985
11	27	Hack, Ethan (empty)	n.d.
11	28	Hoffman, Richard J.,	1985
11	29	Larson, Kenneth	n.d.
11	30	Mayfield, John	n.d.
11	31	Morris, David	1984
11	32	Palmer, Reid	1983-1985
11	33	Payne, Carolyn	1983-1984
11	34	Peterson, Jay	n.d.
11	35	Roth, James	n.d.
11	36	Schultz, Richard	n.d.
11	37	Spaulding, Martin	n.d.
11	38	Stephens, Loren (empty)	n.d.
11	39	Warner, Carol, n.d.	n.d.
11	40	Williams, Fred	1985
12	8-11	Proposals	1983-1984
12	4-6	Proposals	1984-1987
12	1	Yates, Faye	1984-1986
12	2	Preps On-Line Profile System	1989
12	3	Proposals, Grants and Contracts	1985
12	7	Visits	1984-1985
12	12	Correspondence	1983-1984
12	13	Reports	1984-1985
12	14	Information Requests	1987
12	15	Alternate funding	1984
12	16	Proposal	1986
12	17	Iowa High Technology Council	1982-1985
12	18	Reports	1987
12	19	Research	1983-1985
12	20	Governor's Science Advisory Council	1978
12	21	Contracts and Grants	1983
13	1	Dept. of Education	1983-1984
13	2	Carnegie Institution	1987
13	3	Office of Energy Research	n.d.
13	4	Kellogg Grant	1985-1987
13	5	National Institute of Education	1984
13	6	National Institutes of Health	1979-1985
13	7	National Science Foundation	1984-1988
13	8	Northwest Area Foundation	1983-1985
13	9	USDA	1985
13	10	Dept. of Defense	1986
13	11	Resource Center Funding Sources	1984-1985
13	12	Toxicology Program (empty)	n.d.
13	13	University of Iowa	1986
13	14	Biotechnology workshop	1985
13	15	Chamber of Commerce meeting	1985
13	16	"Careers in Biotechnology"	1984-1985
13	17	Seminar on Biotechnology	1985-1986
13	18	"Preparing for Careers in Biotechnology"	1985
13	19	Perspectives on Biology seminar	1985
13	20	"Preparing for Careers in Biotechnology"	1985
13	21	Interviews	n.d.
13	22	Chemistry Career Day (Drake University)	1986-1987
13	23	Correspondence and clipping	1994
13	24	Trip journals	1988-1995
13	25	Publications	1972-1989
14	8-13	Compass II Project-Story County	1993-1995
14	1	All American City and Community Award application for Ames	1996
14	2	Appreciation of Service Certificate, City of Ames	1996
14	3	Archives of Women in Science and Engineering	1993-1994
14	4	Botany Department staff workload and professor activities reports	1970-1981
14	5	Brunnier Museum Donation	1993, 1999
14	6	Carrie Chapman Catt Award	2000
14	7	"College preparation begins now"	1985
14	14	Correspondence	1974-1998
14	15	Curriculum Vitae	2000
14	16	Dedication of plaque display for Council of Academic Honoraries	1990
14	17	Department of Music Advisory Committee	1995-1999
14	18	Emergency residence project	n.d.
14	19	Family of Ruth Swenson	1998
14	20	Faculty improvement leave interviews	1984-1985
14	21	Iota Sigma Pi certificate and correspondence	1997
14	22	Iowa Academy of Science	1988-1989
15	1-2	Iowa Academy of Science	1988-1989
15	4-5	ISU College for Seniors	1992-1994
15	3	Iowa Science Foundation grant and proposal	1987
15	6	ISU Retirees Committee	1990-1996
15	7	ISU Women in Science and Engineering	1989-1999
15	8	Liberal Arts and Science Dean's Advisory Council	1994-1999
15	9	League of Women Voters	1995-1997
15	10	Mount Holyoke News	1942-1946
15	11	National Academic Advising Association	1987
15	12	Notes and Letters of Appreciation	1994-1998
15	13	Outstanding Leadership Certificate, College of Seniors	1996
15	14	Phi Kappa Phi certificate	1997
15	15	Plaza of Heroines	1995
15	16	"Portrait of ISU Women in Science"	1997
15	17	"Promoting Women in Science"	1990
15	18	P.E.O Sisterhood certificate of appreciation	1998
15	19	Reiman Gardens CoHorts	1998-2000
16	1-4	Retirement Party	1987
16	5	Science Deans' Trip to China	1986
16	6	Strong Minded Women Award	1996
16	7	Survey of Algae in Ala Mai and Magic Island Lagoon	1975
16	8	"Yellow Rose of Suffrage" correspondence and pictures	1995
16	9	Youth and Shelter Services, Inc.	1996-1998
16	10	Zoology Women's Studies 383x	1992-1993
17	1	Promoting Science Careers for Women through Education: A Pilot Program (1)	1987-1988
17	2	Promoting Science Careers for Women through Education: A Pilot Program (2)	1987-1988
17	3	Passports	1960-1964
17	4	Correspondence	1988
17	5	Iowa Academy of Science Committees	1990-1991
17	6	Bioethics Symposium	1987-1988
17	7	Carver Project	1988-1989
18	1	Iowa Committee of Correspondence Symposium	1990
18	2	Iowa Academy of Science Retreat	1990
18	3	Newspaper clipping	n.d.