Mosher Jordan Hall

Both women were highly deserving of this special honor. Eliza Mosher graduated from the University of Michigan's Medical School in 1875 ( “Dr. Eliza Mosher”). She made history after being appointed the first dean of women in 1896 ( “Dr. Eliza Mosher”). Mosher was a great supporter of women's physical education and a professor of hygiene at the University's Literature, Science, and Arts (LSA) department (“Dr. Eliza Mosher”). She also paved the way for women professors to be widely accepted ( “Eliza Mosher”). Mosher’s students looked up to her, one even stated “her presence inspires confidence, and she …makes women feel that they can trust her implicitly” (“Eliza Mosher”). Although Mosher resigned in 1902, she gave hope to women worldwide by demonstrating that it was feasible to maintain both a job and a family life ( “Dr. Eliza Mosher”).

Myra Beach Jordan served as the second dean of women at the University of Michigan. It is said that the time she served as dean changed the University forever (“Myra Beach Jordan”). Jordan was well-recognized for being able to address every female student on the school's campus by name (“Myra Beach Jordan”). Unlike Dean Mosher, Jordan did not teach any classes at UM, which allowed for her primary focus to be on housing rules and regulations ("A Dangerous Experiment"). Jordan went on to establish the women's league houses and started requiring women to live in dean-approved housing ( “Myra Beach Jordan”). Another notable thing Dean Mosher accomplished was encouraging alums to donate to women's residences that we now see on campus ( “Myra Beach Jordan”). Jordan had a lasting impact on the University of Michigan and set a precedent for the duties of the Dean of Women.