Monday, July 29, 7–8 p.m.
Pullman Depot Heritage Center, 330 N. Grand Ave
Presented by Donna Potts, WSU Professor and Chair, English
Nancy L. Van Doren arrived at Washington State University (then Washington Agricultural College) when it opened in 1891. She served as an English professor, librarian, preceptress, and English department chair during her fourteen years there, until her retirement in 1905. She was also a founding member and president of the literary society, the Fortnightly Club. In many ways, she was a woman well ahead of her time. This talk explores her fascinating, well-traveled life—from her birth in India to her years in New York, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, and Washington—with a special emphasis on her contributions to the founding of WSU. In homage to Professor Van Doren’s era, we will serve ‘dainty refreshments’ like the ones served during her years at WSU. With gratitude to Mark O’English and MASC (Manuscripts and Special Collections, WSU).
Pullman Depot Heritage Center is a project of the Whitman County Historical Society.
