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. |
Organization
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. |