ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 29, 1996 TAG: 9602290066
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
TYPE: NEWS OBIT
Laura Jane Harper, a Virginia Tech professor and dean emeritus, died Tuesday near her hometown of Jackson, Miss.
Harper began her career at the university in 1949 as an associate professor, teaching foods and nutrition. In 1960, she was named dean of the College of Home Economics, a post she held for 20 years.
When she retired in 1980, she was named professor and dean emeritus of the college's Department of Human Nutrition and Foods.
Known for her feistiness and hard-driving personality, Harper played a large role in developing and teaching many of the core human nutrition and foods courses at the college, which now is known as the College of Human Resources.Her leadership was instrumental in the development and accreditation of Tech's home economics programs.
Harper did a lot of work and research for Virginia Cooperative Extension. From 1964-74, Harper was assistant director in charge of home economics research for the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station. Prior to that, she was in charge of the station's human nutrition research programs.
Harper started working for the university at a time when Radford University was the women's division of Virginia Tech. "She had joint responsibilities for the home economic programs at both institutions," said Warren Strother, a retired Tech faculty member who knew her.
"Instructional components were in Radford, while the research and extension work was done here at Virginia Tech. When Radford became an independent university, she was in charge of Tech's undergraduate and graduate programs."
Harper was active at the university in developing women's programs. She served several years as adviser and board member to the campus YWCA.
Even after her retirement, Harper remained involved with women's issues. She sat on the committee to plan Women's Week programs and also served on the Women's Network Advisory Committee.
Harper received a bachelor's degree from Belhaven College, a master's
degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a doctorate from Michigan State University. She did postgraduate work at Cornell University and Virginia Tech.
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Harperby CNB