gnes (Andersen) Jones was born in Withee, Wisconsin, on December 23, 1915, the oldest child of Sam and Katherine (Jacobsen) Andersen. She had a younger brother, Einer, and sister, Helga. The family lived on a small farm in Owen. During the depression five relatives came to live with them. Agnes attended Owen elementary and high schools, graduating from high school in three years. Following graduation, she worked in Milwaukee doing housework to earn money for college, but couldn't save much money on a salary of $3.00-$5.00 per week. With a gift of $25 from her mother's aunt, Agnes enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1934 as a Physical Education major. In the spring she was hurt in a field ball class, so she changed her major to Home Economics Education, which she had previously considered as a major. Agnes earned her way through college by working about 40 hours per week. She was a waitress in a residence hall for one year, prepared evening meals for the Dean of Women for two years, and helped in the physical education office and at registration. She worked in the Agricultural Library from 7-10 p.m., Monday-Friday and on Saturdays and Sundays. She completed her bachelor's degree in Home Economics and Education in 1937. She earned her master's and doctoral degrees while working full time. She was married to James Jones in 1943 and financed his degree in Agronomy at UW-Madison and his master's degree in Library Science at the University of Illinois. Their son James was born in February 1955. They were divorced in 1956 and he died in 1978. Agnes Jones Education: UW-Madison (1934-1937) BS Home Economics and Education, General Science Minor UW-Madison (1939-1943) MS Home Economics UW-Madison (1944-1954) Ph.D. Teacher Education and Supervision, Home Economics Minor College Activities: Euthenics Phi Upsilon Omicron (honorary Home Economics) Pi Lambda Theta (honorary Education) Blue Shield and 4-H Partial list of former professional associations and responsibilities: American Home Economics Association: Life member; accreditation agency member, 1968-1975; member of Executive Board, membership committee, nominating committee, committee on committees, regional and technical conference chair. Association of Wisconsin Home Economics Teacher Educators: President, 1971-72; vice president, 1970-71; council member, 1972-73 National Association of Teacher Educators for Home Economics: President, 1971-72; vice president, 1970-71; secretary-treasurer, 1958-59; council member, 1972-73 National Council of Administrators of Home Economics: Member of Executive Board; membership chair, 1978; nominating committee; committee on committees, 1978-79; attended annual conferences Wisconsin Adult Education Association: Member 1978 Wisconsin Home Economics Association: President, 1967-1969; president elect, 1966-67; counselor, 1969-70; speaker Current Memberships: American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (honored for 50-year membership). Agnes A. Jones CFCS - Certified by American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. Phi Upsilon Omicron. Wisconsin Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. Honors: Community Leaders and Noteworthy Americans, 1976-77 Outstanding Educator of America, 1972 Personalities of the West and Midwest, 1970-71 Phi Upsilon Omicron (honorary Home Economics) Pi Lambda Theta (honorary Education) "Who's Who in the Midwest," 1984-85 "World's Who's Who of Women," second edition, 1974-75 "University of Wisconsin Women: A series of Essays," Volume I, Chapter 9: "Bessie May Allen and Agnes Jones," published by the Office of Women, UW-Madison, 1980 Dr. Jones presented the College of Professional Studies candidates for commencement in Dean Fritschel's place at the May 12, 1974 Commencement. In 1978, an original oil painting of Jones by William Unger was donated anonymously and placed in the College of Professional Studies building. In May 1986, the Agnes A. Jones Gallery was dedicated in honor of her contributions. Students and faculty from throughout the university use the gallery for exhibitions. Employment: High School Home Economics Teacher Mauston, 1937-39; Rice Lake, 1939-40; Waterloo, 1940-41 Oregon High School teacher and cooperating teacher for student teachers from UW-Madison, 1941-1943. Also taught many adult evening classes with as many as 150 adults in food demonstration classes. UW-Madison librarian II (Agricultural Library) and teacher trainer and supervisor of student teachers, 1943-1954, full time: The librarian gave Dr. Jones the opportunity to attend classes and supervise student teachers. She taught a senior foods class at Wisconsin High School and did a follow-up study of 20 beginning home economics teachers to ascertain educational needs. University of Minnesota-St. Paul, Lecturer in Adult Education, 6-week summer session, 1947 Northern Illinois University, De Kalb, Home Economics Department Chair 1954-55 UW-Madison Instructor in Foods and Supervisor of Student Teaching Wisconsin State College-Stevens Point, Professor and Chair of Home Economics, 1956-197 After Dr. Jones interviewed for the position of head of Home Economics at Stevens Point, she told her father she didn't think she would accept the position because of the poor facilities and crowded space. Old Main housed the Sciences, Conservation, Music, Art, Home Economics and all other disciplines. President Hansen stated, "Agnes, I'll see to it that you have a new Home Economics Building if you will come here." She trusted President Hansen and signed a contract as Head of Home Economics and Professor, which pleased her family. She worked at the university until retirement in May 1996. Wisconsin State University-Stevens Point, Assistant Dean of the College of Professional Studies and Head of Home Economics, 1970-1977. UW-Stevens Point Associate Dean of the College of Professional Studies and Head of Home Economics, 1977-1981; named Professor Emerita in 1981. UW-Stevens Point Student Academic Advising Center and Career Services Senior Advisor, 1981-1988, full time; 1988-1996, 48%, except 96% semester II 1996. Dr. Jones retired in 1996 after serving 25 years as Head of Home Economics, 15 years in advising and placement, and a total of 59 years in education. Highlights of activities of the School of Home Economics at UW-Stevens Point under the leadership of Agnes Jones and the Home Economics faculty: 1956-1962 Home Economics was fortunate to have William C. Hansen as President of the university. He was a man of integrity and a supporter of Home Economics. UWSP Vice President Dr. Gordan Hafferbecker was also a man of integrity and very helpful in obtaining approval of courses through the Faculty Senate. Dean Arthur Fritschel was helpful as well. Home Economics had excellent faculty who were diligent, interested in students and excellent instructors. Department of Home Economics was accredited by the U.S. Office of Education and was added to the list of approved institutions for training Home Economics teachers in reimbursed programs (1959). Home Economics Vocational course was added so students were eligible to teach in Vocational Home Economics Departments. Block student teaching was developed and instituted five years before any other department at the university. Department of Home Economics was remodeled and new equipment added. First Graduate courses in Home Economics were offered beginning in 1961. Enrollment increased from 108 to 145. 1962-1968 The following faculty members, employed from 1956 to 1968, established the quality of the program: Mary Ann Baird, Fay Clifford, Doris Davis, Orthula, Doescher, Ethel Hill, Fern Horn, Bonnie McDonald, Shirley Randall, Carolyn Sands and Elvira Thomson. Dr. Grace Hendel, from 1971 to 1995, and Dr. Bonnie McDonald from 1964 to 1968, are to be commended for establishing and promoting the dietetics major and the master's degree in nutritional sciences. Home Economics had an outstanding program assistant who was admired by faculty and students. Dora Phelps was intelligent, efficient and had a pleasant disposition. When Dr. Jones was first employed there was no secretary for Home Economics. She did get some part-time student help, but the employment of Mrs. Phelps was a dream come true. Dr. Jones established the Dora Phelps Scholarship for work-study students to honor Mrs. Phelps. Home Economics curriculum was studied and reorganized to provide a core of courses and opportunities for students to specialize in a subject matter area. The major in Food and Nutrition was approved in December 1966 with four options: Dietetics, Food Service Management, Experimental Food and Nutrition and General Food and Nutrition. MST in Home Economics Education was authorized in 1966 and was replaced by MS in Home Economics Education in December 1969. Various Federal Grants were received. Head Start grant was received. Bonnie McDonald, director; Agnes Jones, assistant director, gave more than 20 presentations on Head Start and served as consultants for Head Start for three years. Dr. Jones also taught parents of children in the project. Number of doctorates increased from one to three. Enrollment increased from 165 to 331. 1968-1976 Department of Home Economics became the School of Home Economics on August 1, 1970. On August 9, 1971 Home Economics moved into the College of Professional Studies Building, which was designed for Communicative Disorders on the lower level, with Home Economics on the first, second and third floors. It was later determined that the School of Education should be on the fourth floor. Each of the faculty members took primary responsibility for designing their space and equipment. Carolyn Sands and Mary Ann Baird assisted in the design and color schemes. Major in Home Economics in Business was approved and initiated in 1971 with four options: Fashion Merchandising, Housing and Interiors, Communication and Food and Equipment. Home Economics majors were listed as one of the select missions at UWSP for undergraduate and graduate programs in 1974, as well as Natural Resources, Education and Communicative Disorders. A five-year Allied Health grant was received for developing the coordinated undergraduate Program (CUP). The Bachelor of Science degrees in Dietetics and Dietetics CUP were approved in 1975. The Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Food Science was approved in 1975. It was later changed to the Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences. The major in Early Childhood Education in the School of Home Economics and the School of Education was approved on January 7, 1972. The School of Home Economics was reaccredited by the American Home Economics Association for all undergraduate programs on April 18, 1973. Professor Wilma Warner, Home Economics Education, Western Illinois University, visited the School of Home Economics on September 17, 1973. The Office of Education recommended UWSP as one of the Schools of Home Economics in the U.S. where innovative teaching is being done. Program Areas were organized and Program Area Coordinators were elected. Committees were organized to obtain more participation of faculty members (RAPTS, Curriculum, Student Advisory and Scholarship, Graduate Programs, Research and Grants, Policy, Public Relations, and Nominating). Home Economics general major was discontinued. Home Economics 329, History of Costume was approved as a humanities course. Work experiences were established with industries in the community. Proposal was written and approved for five Wisconsin Rural Rehabilitation Scholarships per year to award each student about $600 beginning in 1974-1975. Federal and state grants totaling more than $495,383 were received between 1968 and 1975. The number of faculty members with doctorates increased from three in 1962-1968 to six in 1968-1975. In addition, there was one doctorate on leave and one doctorate expected to be completed in 1995. Enrollment rose from 331 and 584. 1976 to 1981 The Early Childhood Education major with options in the School of Home Economics and the School of Education was consolidated into one program in the School of Home Economics, as recommended by Dean Burdette Eagon and his committee. The Food and Nutrition major with options in Experimental Food and Nutrition and General Food and Nutrition were dropped. The Food and Nutrition, Food Service Management option was elevated to a Food Service Management major and later changed to Food Systems Management. The minor in Food Services was approved on March 22, 1978. There were 19 equivalent faculty members (ten had doctorates), one secretary and one program assistant. Enrollment in 1981 was 665 undergraduates, 56 graduate students for a total of 721 plus electives. Dr. Jones regularly had up to 250 advisees, but she knew her students very well. One administrator told her, "Agnes, just send me a teacher" and UW-Extension said they could trust her recommendations. There are a number of these graduates still in UW-Extension. Dr. Jones worked long hours and vacations to help students obtain the required courses, which enabled most students to graduate in four years. She was also helpful in locating positions that graduates desired. Having supervised student teachers and followed up on beginning teachers, she was acquainted with many of the schools and administrators. She often stated that she would rather find a job for a student than play cards or go to the movies. She was disappointed in losing the coordinated dietetics program, which had received full accreditation. She also recognized that some faculty members in other departments did not respect Home Economics and it's faculty. One English professor said, "Dietetics, that's vocational." Therefore, it was important to obtain faculty members with doctorates in order to gain respect. Dr. Jones spent many hours calling various schools to locate faculty with doctorates. She believes the School of Home Economics and the faculty are respected now because of the contributions made by the graduates and faculty. In addition, faculty members without doctorates are respected for their talents and teaching abilities. When Dr. Jones retired, she was pleased with the College of Professional Studies Building, the over 700 majors, 19 equivalent faculty members, the master's degrees offered in Human Development and Community Resources and in Nutritional Sciences. In addition, there were strong undergraduate majors in Dietetics, Early Childhood Education, Fashion Merchandising (now Retail Studies), Food Service Management (major and minor), Home Economics Education (now Family and Consumer Education) and Housing and Interiors (now Interior Architecture). Home Economics was one of the largest majors on campus and had nearly 100 percent placement of all graduates during Dr. Jones tenure. Approximately one third of all graduates in the first 100 years were graduated from 1956 to 1981 in the 25 years that Dr. Jones was Associate Dean of the College of Professional Studies and Head of Home Economics. Interests Family, travel, gardening and hearing from former graduates Dr. Jones' son James (Jim) Jones and his wife Kathleen (Katie) Lawler are both graduates of UWSP. Jim has a degree in Business Administration and Katie a degree in English. They both have worked for Scutchfield and Associates for twenty years. Jim is president and Katie is a Senior Associate. Katie is also studying medicine part time and will be an Acupuncturist soon. They currently reside in Woodside, California and also like to relax at their cabin in the Sierra mountains. Dr. Jones and her sister, Helga Andersen, enjoy visiting them. Agnes enjoys gardening and in 1992 was the recipient of the People's Choice Rose Award and in 1991 won the Exhibitors Award sponsored by the Central Wisconsin Rose Society. Lately she has not had the time to care for her flowers. She had underground sprinklers installed last summer, which should save some time. Her brother, Einer, is deceased at age 75, her sister, Helga, is ill and now makes her home with Dr. Jones. They enjoyed traveling and visited Denmark six times where they have many relatives. She and her sister can read, write and speak Danish. They have also been to Alaska, Iceland and Hawaii. Agnes enjoys hearing from graduates and observing their performances at conventions.
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