Ruth Wildman Swenson
"She was in
many ways a ‘mentor,’ facilitating the careers of other
women wherever she could, making sure our accomplishments were
noticed, that we were represented on committees, and offering
support when it was needed."
—Marilyn D. Bachmann, 1988
Ruth
Wildman Swenson is an outstanding scientist, university administrator,
and advocate for women in sciences and engineering. As an emeritus
professor of botany and emeritus associate dean of Sciences and
Humanities at Iowa State University, she has been an innovator
of programs to encourage and support women in nontraditional
careers. Swenson was the Iowa coordinator for a national program
to help women move into academic administration and co-directed
a National Science Foundation project to increase the number
of women in science. She developed and implemented internships,
career conferences, and intensive role model projects for high
school girls and undergraduate women aiming for technical/scientific
careers. Additionally, she helped to initiate annual conferences
on women in higher education and is oft-cited as an inspiration
for women in academia. She now serves as president of the Iowa
Academy of Science, honored in part for her research in cell
biology, biochemistry, and the ecology of blue-green algae ("nuisance
blooms") on Iowa lakes and ponds. She is also a supporter
of local music, art, and social services programs in her community.
She was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 1989.
UPDATE: Swenson
has served on numerous boards, committees, and councils, including
Ames International Orchestra Festival Association, Ames Town
and Gown Chamber Music Association, Central Iowa Symphony Association,
Emergency Residence Project, Episcopal Parish of Ames, University
Museums, League of Women Voters of Ames, Mary Greeley Medical
Center Auxiliary, Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa, Analysis
of Social Services Evaluation Team, Infant Care Work Group, Healthland
Senior Services Foundation, Youth & Shelter Services, ISU
Archives of Women in Science and Engineering Advisory Board,
ISU Department of Music Advisory Committee, ISU Liberal Arts
& Sciences Dean’s Advisory Council, and Reiman Gardens
Cohorts. She has finished her term as president of the Iowa Academy
of Science.
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