College of Human Ecology: It All Started with Martha, Flora, and Eleanor

Throughout its history, the College of Human Ecology has been at the forefront of fostering women's leadership.  The College's founders, Flora Rose and Martha Van Rensselaer, were Cornell's first full-time female professors.  As the College of Home Economics, it provided women with what was, at the time, one of the few socially acceptable means of getting a higher education.  Through this talk we will learn about the College's rich history, including its strong connection with Eleanor Roosevelt, who was instrumental in getting support for the 1933 MVR building.  We will also discuss how the College's history plays out today.

Dean Alan Mathios is the Rebecca Q. and James C. Morgan Dean College of Human Ecology, appointed in 2008. As a faculty member in Policy Analysis and Management his research centers on the effect of Food and Drug Administration regulatory policies on consumer and firm behavior. He received his bachelor's in economics and psychology from the University of Buffalo followed by a PhD in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. He then spent 6 years with the FTC where he served as a staff economist in the Division of Economic Policy Analysis. 

Associate Dean, Rachel Dunifon is a Professor in the Department of Policy Analysis and Management.  She received her PhD in Human Development and Social Policy from Northwestern University in 1999.  Dunifon studies child and family policy, with a focus on factors influencing the development of less-advantaged children.  Her research focuses on child and family policy. Dunifon is an active member of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, the Population Association of America, the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research and the Cornell Population Center.  

6:00-6:30pm cash bar reception;6:30pm lecture, gratis. Advance reservations required. Attendees are invited to dine at The Club with Dean Mathios and Associate Dean Dunifon following the lecture. The cost is $40 per person, inclusive of tax, gratuity and one glass of wine with dinner. Dinner reservations are required 48 hours prior to the program. Same-day cancellations and no shows will be charged.

 The post-program dinner with Dean Mathios and Assistant Dean Dunifon has sold out entirely.  If you wish to be added to the waitlist, please contact Kirsten at 212.692.1381.