Katherine B. Hoffman
Katherine "Kitty" Marie Blood Hoffman (August 1, 1914 – July 18, 2020) was an American chemist and academic administrator.
Katherine B. Hoffman | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 1, 1914 |
| Died | July 18, 2020 (aged 105) |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Kitty B. Hoffman |
| Occupation | Chemist and academic administrator |
Education and career
Hoffman was born on August 1, 1914, in Winter Haven, Florida.[1] She attended the Florida State College for Women (which later became Florida State University) for her undergraduate. She began her degree in 1932,[1] and finished with a degree in bacteriology in 1936.[2] She went on to Columbia University for a master's degree in chemistry, which she completed in 1938.[1]
Hoffman returned to Florida State College for Women in 1940, where she remained through its name-change to Florida State University and for the rest of her career.[1][2] She began as a chemistry instructor, and was promoted, reaching full professor in 1959.[1] She served as Dean of Women from 1967 to 1970,[2] in which role she eased restrictions placed upon female students.[1] She retired from the university in 1984, but remained active in university service during retirement.[1][2]
Awards and honors
Upon the occasion of her retirement, the chemistry department of Florida State University named a laboratory building in her honor; it was rededicated to her in 2018.[2] Hoffman was awarded an honorary doctorate by Florida State University in 2007.[3][4]
Death
Hoffman died of COVID-19 at the age of 105 in Tallahassee, Florida on July 18, 2020.[1]
References
- Traub, Alex (July 29, 2020). "Katherine Hoffman, 'Eternal' Florida State Figure, Dies at 105". New York Times.
- Dobson, Bryan (July 21, 2020). "COVID-19 claims life of retired FSU professor Katherine 'Kitty' Hoffman". Tallahassee Democrat.
- Fairhurt, Libby (September 19, 2007). "FSU to confer honorary doctorate on legendary Professor Emerita Kitty Hoffman". FSU News. Florida State University. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- Ensley, Gerald (September 19, 2007). "A Modest Legend: Kitty Hoffman to be Presented with an Honorary PhD". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
