Family education legacy faculty:
Emma Whiteford
Emma Whiteford was a faculty member at the University of Minnesota from 1967 until her retirement as a professor in December of 1980. She served as head of home economics education from 1967 until 1971. Dr. Whiteford was an active proponent of vocational education and took an active professional role in both state and national levels during her tenure at the University.
While teaching and advising students at the University of Minnesota, Whiteford’s professional work centered on the preparation of home economics teachers to meet the challenge of special needs students in Minnesota secondary schools. She developed and led a variety of projects and workshops, participated in conferences, and published many articles concerning teaching techniques for special needs students in home economics.
Before coming to the University of Minnesota, Professor Whiteford held a variety of positions. Beginning as a registered dietician at York Hospital in Pennsylvania, she later became the Director of Homemaking and Cafeterias for the Bloomington Public Schools in Illinois. She also served on the faculty and as a department head in each of the following institutions: Illinois Wesleyan University, Bowling Green State University, Florida State University, and the University of Cincinnati.
Professor Whiteford was a member of several University committees and also had numerous professional affiliations with organizations such as the American and Minnesota Home Economics Associations, the American, Minnesota and Twin Cities Dietetic Associations, American and Minnesota vocational Associations, American Educational Research Association, National and Minnesota councils for Family Relations, American Association of University Professors, and the International Federation for Home Economics. In addition to being a member of such honor societies as Omicron Nu, Pi Lambda Theta and Kappa Delta Pi, Whiteford received recognition from Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in American Education, Dictionary of International Education, The World Who’s Who of Women, and Leaders in Education.
The Emma Whiteford Graduate Assistantship fund was established in 1987 and has supported graduate students since 1995.
