Lyle Ford Drushel papers, 1907-1912, 1939

Overview of the Collection

Title
Lyle Ford Drushel papers
Dates
1907-1912, 1939 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.2 linear feet, (1 box )
Collection Number
Mss.055
Summary
Lyle Elizabeth Ford Drushel (1888-1985) attended the University of Puget Sound as a student from 1907 to 1912 and served as Puget Sound's Dean of Women from 1932 to 1953. The Lyle Ford Drushel papers include a scrapbook created by Lyle Ford during her time as a student at the University of Puget Sound and her personal copy of the 1939 "Tamanawas" yearbook, which was dedicated to her as Dean of Women.
Repository
University of Puget Sound, Archives & Special Collections

Collins Memorial Library
1500 N. Warner St.
CMB1021
Tacoma, WA
98416-1021
Telephone: 2538792669
archives@pugetsound.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Lyle Elizabeth Ford Drushel (1888-1985) attended the University of Puget Sound as a student from 1907 to 1912 and served as Puget Sound's Dean of Women from 1932 to 1953. She was born in Nebraska on September 20, 1888, but her family relocated to Kansas where she graduated from Winfield High School in 1907. That summer, the Ford family moved to Tacoma, Washington, and Lyle Ford enrolled as a freshman at the University of Puget Sound, then located at the "Sixth and Sprague" campus. She lived at home with her parents during her college years and the Ford home became a popular gathering place for Puget Sound students, particularly after Lyle's sister Myra enrolled as a freshmen in 1911.

While enrolled at Puget Sound, Lyle worked as a teacher in grammar school. She took a year off of school during the 1909-1910 academic year, presumably to attend to her teaching duties. She also worked as an assistant to the English department for two years during her time as a student. She graduated from Puget Sound with honors in 1912 and was awarded a dictionary for being the graduating senior with "the best knowledge and command of the English language."

After graduation Lyle worked as a schoolteacher, primarily at Lincoln High School in Tacoma. In 1927, she met and married Allen Drushel and moved with him to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they lived for four years until he passed away in 1931. She returned to Tacoma and accepted a job at the University of Puget Sound as the new Dean of Women, a position she held for 22 years. Lyle also taught in the English department and attained the rank of associate professor. She taught a freshman composition class and a course in American literature every semester in addition to her duties at Dean of Women. In 1936, New York University awarded her a master's degree, which she earned by attending classes in New York during the summer months.

Lyle retired as the Dean of Women in 1953. The "Tamanawas" yearbook for that year gave a concise description of her duties: "Mrs. Lyle Ford Drushel, the Dean of Women, begins her academic year in July as the applications for dormitory space begin to roll in, and ends her year in June as the last woman receives her sheepskin. She keeps an eye on the social calendar, advises Panhellenic, guides sorority rushing, serves as director of Kittredge Hall [which was then the student union building], and brushes up on notes for her English and literature classes." Following her retirement, Drushel served as an assistant in the alumni office for one year. She died on December 11, 1985 at age 97.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Lyle Ford Drushel papers include a scrapbook created by Lyle Ford during her time as a student at the University of Puget Sound and her personal copy of the 1939 "Tamanawas" yearbook, which includes a dedication to her and is inscribed with her name on the front cover. The scrapbook contains various memorabilia items dating from 1907 to 1912, including photographs, newsclippings, place cards, menus, notes, and other items.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box item
1 1 "School-Girl Days" scrapbook 1907-1912
1 2 Tamanawas 1939

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • College yearbooks
  • Women
  • Women college students

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Gardner, Lyle Elizabeth (dnr)