Dean Gleaves Announces Coming Retirement

The Rotunda
Longwood College, Farmville Va., February 13, 1957

 Dean Gleaves Announces Coming Retirement
Able Dean Completes Loyal Administration
By Linda Garrison

  Miss Ruth Gleaves, Dean of Women at Longwood College, has announced today that she will retire in June.  Miss Gleaves, an alumna of the college, has been on the staff of Longwood for fifteen years and has held her present position since 1948.

 Since becoming Dean, Miss Gleaves has been a constant and faithful friend of the students, a gracious hostess to visitors and guests of the college, and a vital member of the college administration and the Farmville community.  Although she thoroughly enjoys her work, the Dean smilingly recalls that the most difficult aspect of her job has been “learning to do a dozen things at one time.”

Active Teaching Career

  Miss Gleaves was born in Wythe County, Virginia, and attended a private school in Wytheville.  She received her B.S. degree in education from Longwood and her M.A. degree from Columbia University.  She has done additional work in her field at the University of Chicago, and University of Tennessee, and Columbia University.  Among the schools at which she has taught are Wythe County public schools, Richmond public schools, Franklin High School, and the high schools of Jacksonville, Florida.

  While a student at Longwood, the versatile Dean was president of the Student Council, a member of Alpha Kappa Gamma honorary fraternity, a member of the Cotillion Club, and an active participant in sports.

  In addition to her teaching career, Miss Gleaves became the first hostess at Longwood Estate in 1929, where she originated the now famous Longwood cinnamon buns and mints.  She also served as secretary of the “Y” in Richmond during the year 1934-35.

Joins Longwood Staff in ‘42

  Having taught Home Economics for two years at Radford College, Miss Gleaves joined the Longwood staff as professor of Home Economics in 1942 under the presidency of Dr. J. L. Jarman.  Home Economics has always been a major interest of the Dean, and her hobby is experimenting with and practicing the culinary arts.

  Miss Gleaves recalls her great surprise at being asked to accept the position as Dean of Women in 1948.  The greatest challenge which faced her as she took the position was the tremendous need for redecoration and renovation of the entire college interior.  Her first request of Dr. Dabney Lancaster, president of the college at that time, was for a committee to work with her on physical improvements of the college.  Miss Emily Barksdale, professor of Spanish, and Miss Janice Lemen, professor of art, were on the original committee which undertook the task, even thought funds were unavailable in the post-war time.

Improvements Begin

  The improvement program began with the redecoration of the Rotunda, Home Office, Virginia Room, Dean’s Office, and the faculty women’s lounge.  Following these improvements came the redecoration of the Student Lounge, YWCA Lounge and cabinet room, and the addition of a freshman parlor and game room.

  After the new Tabb Hall was built, the committee decorated the sophomore parlors.  Then the main recreation hall was redecorated with metal furniture and a vivid color scheme.  The landings on second and third floor Rotunda were furnished, the Browsing Room at the library was retouched, and the junior and senior parlors were completely redecorated.

  From time to time the committee has been called on to help in the decoration of various offices in the college as well as the conference room.  Throughout the committee’s existence it has aided in the decoration of Longwood Estate.  A subcommittee was set up to collect original paintings by Virginia artists, and the fifth work is being purchased this year.  These paintings will be very valuable in the future and will bring a note of distinction to the college.

  One of Miss Gleaves’ main objectives has been the dining hall, where she has made a constant and efficient effort to improve the quality of food as well as the physical appearance of the room.  Work in that area has reached a height this year with the purchasing of new china and redecoration of the interior.

Traditions Established

  Several of Longwood’s traditions have been established or modified under Miss Gleaves’ competent administration.  The monthly birthday dinners, orientation teas, high school weekends, and the junior and senior dances have been established, and the Christmas banquet, the celebration of Christmas on campus, and the YWCA pageant have undergone improving modifications.  Her attention to the minute but important details of preparing delicious and attractive dishes and the observance of the correct social customs on these occasions have set a high standard for the college to always guard.

  Miss Gleaves cheerfully notes that “nothing more could have happened during my first year as Dean.”  It was during 1948 that the section of sophomore building now replaced by Tabb Hall burned to the ground.  Miss Barksdale, a close friend of the Dean, recalls that Miss Gleaves calmly supervised proceedings in such a way that there was no interruption in the routine of the college, nor was any girl without a comfortable place to stay at any time while the new building was going up.

  Also during her first year, Miss Gleaves saw the reactivation of Kappa Delta and Zeta Tau Alpha social sororities on campus.

Hostess for Thousands

  One of the main responsibilities which the Dean has faced throughout her administration has been acting as hostess for the many thousands of guests who have visited the campus on various occasion.  She has been directly connected with two presidential inaugurations at the college.  Longwood has played host to a Fireman’s Convention, two state SCA conventions, numerous high school weekends each year, several Virginia Garden Club meetings and, in addition, meetings of the PTA, 4-H Club, Secretaries of the NEA, and various local clubs.  The largest crowd which she has welcomed appeared with the dedication of Jarman Auditorium and the Science Building.

Active in Organizations

  Along with her campus obligations Miss Gleaves participates in several national organizations, among them being the National Association Deans of Women and Counselors, the American Association of University Women, the Virginia Education Association, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Daughters of the Confederacy, and the Regional Deans’ Association.

  “Miss Gleaves has always been able, active, and steady member of the staff,” notes Dr. Gordon Moss, head of the History Department and professor throughout the Dean’s administration.  “She has more than restored here at Longwood a stable, home-like atmosphere for the girls.”

  Miss Barksdale further comments, “Miss Gleaves has a truly remarkable faculty for remembering names and details; one which is essential to her position.”

To Publish Book

  Upon retirement Miss Gleaves looks forward to doing some of the things which she has always wanted to do and for which she hasn’t had time.  She will return to her home in Wythe County, do some traveling, and pursue her interests in the culinary arts.  In the near future she hopes to publish a book in this field.

  Dr. Francis Lankford, President of the College, states that no successor as Dean has been yet named.  Two interviews have been held and applications are now being considered.

  “I shall always be grateful help and loyal support she has given me in my first years at Longwood,” says Dr. Lankford.  “It has been a great comfort to have the benefit of her good judgment and her sympathetic understanding of the numerous problems we have worked on together.  We shall all miss her greatly and wish for her every happiness in her much-deserved retirement.”

“An Ideal Dean”

  It is with sincere regret that the students and college administration learn of Miss Gleaves’ retirement.  There is probably no other one person who has done so much or devoted so much time towards making the college the warm and friendly place it is today, or left with the college such high ideals of social conduct.  “She is, by her very appearance, an ideal Dean,” comments Miss Helen Draper, head of the Department of Foreign Languages.  “Her queenly stature, neat and appropriate dress, and pleasant expression which reveals her wonderful sense of humor lend her rare distinction.”