Dewey B. Stuit Papers
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Abstract
University of Iowa professor of psychology and dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Dates
- Creation: 1909-1991
Creator
- Stuit, Dewey B. (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research. This collection is stored at an offsite location. When requesting materials, please allow two business days for items to arrive at the Special Collections reading room.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright restrictions may apply; please consult Special Collections staff for further information.
Biographical / Historical
Dewey Bernard Stuit was born in Fulton, Illinois, on January 24, 1909, the son of Bernie and Grace (Temple) Stuit. He received his degrees from the University of Illinois: the bachelor of science in 1931, the master of science in 1932, and the Ph.D. in 1934. On September 5, 1934, he married Velma E. Pottorf (1911-1997).
In September 1934, Dewey Stuit was appointed instructor of psychology and education at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota.... In 1936 he was appointed associate professor of educational psychology and measurement at the University of Nebraska, and in 1938 was named associate professor of psychology and director of personnel research at the University of Iowa. Following service in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946, he was promoted to professor of psychology, focusing on educational psychology, a position he held from 1946 until his retirement in 1977. He was also director of the student counseling office (1946-49) and dean of student personnel services (1947-50).
It was in his role as the eighth dean of the College of Liberal Arts, however, where Mr. Stuit left his greatest impact on the University. Appointed acting dean in 1948, his appointment became permanent the following year. He held the position until his retirement in 1977. During his tenure he oversaw substantial curricular expansion within the College, establishment of an honors program, and the implementation of rules allowing greater flexibility in degree fulfillment requirements. During the student protest period of the late 1960's and early 1970's he defended the presence of ROTC on campus and criticized the tactics of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and other anti-war organizations.
UI President Willard (Sandy) Boyd honored Stuit upon his retirement in 1977: "In our programs, he has wanted better, not more. During the years of material growth he counselled against proliferation and concentrated on strengthening existing programs. As an academic spartan, he has been both a traditionalist and a nontraditionalist. ... Flexibility and high standards have been the hallmark of the College of Liberal Arts during Dean Stuit's tenure.
See moreExtent
10.00 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The papers of Dewey B. Stuit are arranged into seven series: Personal Papers, Publications and Professional Papers, Speeches and Presentations, Department of Psychology Teaching and Course Notes, Subject Files, Studies and Reports, and Iowa Qualifying Examinations.
Physical Location
This collection is stored at an offsite location. When requesting materials, please allow two business days for items to arrive at the Special Collections reading room.
Method of Acquisition
These papers were given to the University of Iowa Libraries by Dewey B. Stuit in 2003. Processed by David McCartney in April 2006.
- Author
- David McCartney, April 2006
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the University of Iowa Archives Repository
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242
319-335-5921
lib-spec@uiowa.edu