At the Head of the Classroom

Emily Wick

University: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Years of Employment: 1959-1972, 1978-1983

Emily Wick was a professor and researcher. She received her PhD in chemistry in 1951, and was one of only 19 women in her graduating class. After working in labs doing chemical research, she returned to MIT as a professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science. Wick was the only female professor who was not teaching in the humanities, and would go on to be the first woman ever to receive tenure at MIT in 1963. She was an advocate for women during her time at MIT and wrote “Proposal for a new policy for admission of women undergraduate students at MIT” as well as "A Century of Women Students at M.I.T" (1973) during her time at MIT (Gray).

1951

Emily receives her PhD in chemistry from MIT, and goes on to be a researcher.

Gray, Robert M. “Coeducation at MIT: 1950s-1970s,” Stanford.edu (March 2021): 37

1959

She returns to MIT as a professor, at this time she is the only female professor teaching outside of the humanities department.

Gray, Robert M. “Coeducation at MIT: 1950s-1970s,” Stanford.edu (March 2021): 34

1963

She receives tenure at MIT- making her the first woman to ever do so.

Gray, Robert M. “Coeducation at MIT: 1950s-1970s,” Stanford.edu (March 2021): 2

1965-1972

She is appointed as the Associate Dean of Students in 1965 and remains in this position until 1972.

Gray, Robert M. “Coeducation at MIT: 1950s-1970s,” Stanford.edu (March 2021): 41

1969

She helps create the MIT women's varsity sailing team, and she is honored annually with the Emily Wick Regatta.

Gray, Robert M. “Coeducation at MIT: 1950s-1970s,” Stanford.edu (March 2021): 33

1978-1983

Emily returns to MIT in 1978 and serves as an alumni term member for the MIT corporation.

Gray, Robert M. “Coeducation at MIT: 1950s-1970s,” Stanford.edu (March 2021): 34

Curious to know more? Check out her collection at the MIT Archives: Emily Wick Papers or her oral history: Emily Wick Interview