First woman department chair

In 1990, Dr. Elizabeth Cummins was named chair of Missouri S&T’s English department. She joined S&T as an instructor in 1967 after teaching five years at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

She taught classes on literature, science fiction and technical writing. Beyond her teaching and scholarly accomplishments, including three Faculty Excellence Awards, Cummins was one of the driving forces in the university’s establishment of a writing center and she co-directed, with Dr. Catherine Riordan, an award-winning “Women at Work” series.

Cummins was the first recipient of the university’s Woman of the Year Award in 1997 and in 2017, the Dr. Elizabeth Cummins Women’s Advocate Award was established. It goes to an S&T employee, regardless of gender or job title, who demonstrates commitment to women on campus through mentorship and advocacy.

Share This Story

Spark a Memory?

Share your story! Fill out the form below to share your fondest memory or anecdote of S&T. If you'd prefer not typing, you can also share by phone at 833-646-3715 (833-Miner150).

Jordan (Lynn) and Derek Voges

Jordan (Lynn) and Derek Voges

Jordan Lynn and Derek Voges met at a Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity party at the end of August in 2015….

Megan (Jekel) and Jonathan Pardeck

Megan (Jekel) and Jonathan Pardeck

Megan (Jekel), a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, and Jonathan Pardeck, a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity, met through…

Chain reaction

Chain reaction

Take 60 sleep-deprived students — easy enough to find in Rolla — and add 450,000 strips of newsprint and 530,000…

Raising support for scholarship

Raising support for scholarship

Zebulun Nash, who graduated with a degree in chemical engineering in 1972, was part of a team that got its…

Gwen (Ingram) and Chase Davis

Gwen (Ingram) and Chase Davis

Gwen (Ingram) and Chase Davis, who both earned their bachelor’s degree in ceramic engineering from S&T, met after participating in…

John Park: a commitment to quality

John Park: a commitment to quality

John T. Park, who served as interim chancellor in 1985-1986 and in 1991-1992, notes the major...