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Home Economics at Wheaton College offers training in home-making

as an integral part of the college education of women. The courses

are designed to meet the needs of: (1) missionary candidates and

students who desire special preparation for efficient home-making; (2) those

who plan to teach home economics or engage in food demonstration work; (3)those planning to specialize in some related field.

In September 1942, everything seemed ready for launching

the Home Economics Department. Lincoln House was being remodeled and was

to be ready for use by foods and clothing classes. Enrollment on the

first day was good and better yet on the second day. But, alas, an

unhappy surprise was in store: we were told Lincoln House could not be used

for class work. What then? Where, oh where should we go? Prof. Dyrness

saw possibilities for clothing classes in the handball observation room

in the new physical education building. There was space there but

no furniture, no large tables for cutting and sewing. Then Mr.

Phillips came to the rescue; with characteristic economy he had stored his

old extension dining tables, two of them in his garage, and these met

the need of the class. Thus, the clothing courses were begun in

the basement of the physical education building with

improvised furnishings.

It was not so easy to provide for foods classes, but Mr.Haavind consented to share the kitchen of lower Pierce Chapel with

Home Economics. There the equipment left much to be desired. The stoves

were old, the oven temperamental, and there was nothing in the set-up

to suggest a pleasant home kitchen. The first time the trustees

were entertained at luncheon they were seated on high stools around worktables. The Home Economics Department did not accept

discouragement however, and went bravely on into the face of a new dilemma. "The

Army is coming and we have to get out." It was this expected coming of

the Army which softened the hearts of the city fathers, as Mr. Kirk

very tactfully used it to gain their consent to use Lincoln House for

the Home Economics classes, for the duration.

At present Lincoln House not only provides laboratories for

the food and clothing classes, but is also used as the Home

Management House, with Mrs. C.W. Howard in charge. Six girls each semester plan, budget, market, cook and serve the meals. They also perform the

other duties of a well-cared-for home and entertain their guests.

At the graduation exercises of June, 1944, Wheaton College

will give diplomas to the first class of Home Economics majors, all to

them planning to teach in this field.

Note: these articles were excerpted from Faculty Bulletin,vol. 7, no. 3 (January 1944). These departments were a part of

the Education Department.