Frances Rogers

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Dr. Frances A. Rogers-Copyright-Drake University

Dr. Frances Rogers (January 24, 1923 - December 12, 1992)

Originally Submitted by Bergen Quaerna on November 29, 2011, Drake University

Early Childhood

On January 24, 1923 Frances Arlene Ritchey was born in Northfield, Minnesota.[1] [2] Soon after, her family moved to Des Moines, where her father, Charles Ritchey, became a history professor at Drake University.[3]

Education

Frances Ritchey received a BS from Drake University in 1944. After this, she attended the University of Chicago from 1944 to 1946 where she received her Master's degree. A few years later, she attended the University of Iowa and received her Ph.D. in 1953. Her Ph.D. dissertation was "A Cytological Study of Cyathodinium" which was featured in the Proceedings of the Society of Protozoologists in 1953. After receiving her Ph.D., she did research at the Radiation Research Laboratory and the Cardiovascular Laboratory at the University Hospital in Iowa City.[4] Rogers was interested in protozoology, embryology, comparative vertebrate anatomy, neuroanatomy and medical applications of anatomy.[5] Professors Leland Johnson and George Huff influenced her decision to pursue a career in biology.[6]

Family

While studying at the University of Iowa, Frances Ritchey met Rodney Rogers. Frances recalled, "The professor was Leland Johnson (who taught at Drake, also), and he seated us across from each other. So, we chased protozoans together."[7] The couple was married in 1956.[8] They had two children. Robert Allen Rogers was born on November 12, 1958 and William David Rogers was born August 8, 1960. Robert Rogers went on to major in economics at Drake University, while William Rogers majored in biology, also at Drake University.[9]

Life at Drake University

Frances Rogers's husband, Rodney Rogers was the Chairman of Biology at Drake University in 1956 when Frances Rogers returned to Drake University to work as a part-time instructor[10]. In 1969, she was appointed to a full-time position. Frances Rogers was a fan of using different teaching methods in classes.[11] She occasionally used videos for lectures and conducted oral examination instead of computer-graded exams. Frances Rogers loved "Far Side" cartoons. She would even play them occasionally on the projector for her classes. During dissections, she joked with her students about a rubber shark named "Bruce." She had a personal interest in her students; she often followed the progress of her students far beyond graduation.[12] She once said, "It's the students. If you feel you can help a student laong the way, there's an investment in the future."[13] Robert Kodama remembered Frances Rogers, "She was a wonderful person and a beloved and respected professor. She was a students' professor, one who always had the students in mind."[14]

Involvement

Frances Rogers was very involved with science. She was involved with the Society of Protozoologists, the American Association for Advancement of Science, the Iowa Academy of Sciennce, Mortar Board, and American Men and Women of Science.[15]

Outside of Drake University

Outside of Drake University, Frances Rogers was very committed to her church, Cottage Grove Avenue Presbyterian. At her church, she served as an elder and a deacon. Her pastor David Madson described her, "She was a very gracious and intellectual lady. She came across as just another person. One didn't call her 'doctor' or 'professor.' One just called her Fran." She was a board member and the Treasurer for the United Ministries in Higher Education.[16]

Death

Frances Rogers died on November 12, 1992 at the age of 69 from cancer.[17] [18] She had been a resident of Des Moines for 65 years.[19] The president of Drake University at the time, Michael R. Ferrari reflected on her death and said, "Fran Rogers was a superb teacher and a caring thoughtful person. Her enthusiasm for learning affected everything she did. There's no question that the University deeply mourns her passing."[20]


Dr. Frances A. Rogers-Copyright-Drake University

Citiations

  1. Drake Faculty-Staff Biography. (1981, September). [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University.
  2. Frances A. Rogers//. (1992, November 14). [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University. //Des Moines Register: 5M.
  3. Kelley, Matt. (1992, November 16). Drake biology professor Frances Rogers, 69, dies//. [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University. //Des Moines Register: 13A.
  4. Drake Faculty-Staff Biography. (1973, August 29). [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University.
  5. Drake Faculty-Staff Biography. (1981, September). [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University.
  6. Jones, Catherine D. (1986, April 24). Biology duo share same profesion - and home, too//. [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake Unversity. //Drake Times-Delphic: 12R.
  7. Jones, Catherine D. (1986, April 24). Biology duo share same profesion - and home, too//. [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University. //Drake Times-Delphic: 12R.
  8. Drake Faculty-Staff Biography. (1973, August 29). [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University.
  9. Jones, Catherine D. (1986, April 24). Biology duo share same profesion - and home, too//. [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University. //Drake Times-Delphic: 12R.
  10. Drake Faculty-Staff Biography. (1973, August 29). [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University.
  11. Jones, Catherine D. (1986, April 24). Biology duo share same profesion - and home, too//. [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University. //Drake Times-Delphic: 12R.
  12. Drake mourns Frances Rogers. (1992, November 20). [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File].onCampus. 45:19. Pp: 1,3. Des Moines, IA: Drake University.
  13. Jones, Catherine D. (1986, April 24). Biology duo share same profesion - and home, too//. [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File] Des Moines, IA: Drake University. //Drake Times-Delphic: 12R.
  14. Kelley, Matt. (1992, November 16). Drake biology professor Frances Rogers, 69, dies//. [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University. //Des Moines Register: 13A.
  15. Drake Faculty-Staff Biography. (1981, September). [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University.
  16. Kelley, Matt. (1992, November 16). Drake biology professor Frances Rogers, 69, dies//. [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University. //Des Moines Register: 13A.
  17. Drake mourns Frances Rogers. (1992, November 20). [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File].onCampus. 45:19. Pp: 1,3. Des Moines, IA: Drake University.
  18. Kelley, Matt. (1992, November 16). Drake biology professor Frances Rogers, 69, dies//. [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University. //Des Moines Register: 13A.
  19. Frances A. Rogers//. (1992, November 14). [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University. //Des Moines Register: 5M.
  20. Drake mourns Frances Rogers. (1992, November 20). [Cowles Library Archive-Frances A. Rogers File].onCampus. 45:19. Pp: 1,3. Des Moines, IA: Drake University.
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