GEORGIANNA CONROW
1878 - 1954
Associate Professor Emeritus Georgianna Conrow was
born on January 26, 1878 in Moorestown, New Jersey
and died in Poughkeepsie on November 19, l9Sh. She
received the A.B. and M.A. degrees from Cornell
University, and subsequently continued her studies at
Columbia and Cornell, and in Switzerland and France.
In l923 she was awarded the Dipl$me de l'Ecole des
Professeurs de frangais a l'etranger from the University
of Paris.
She came to Vassar College in 1905, after teaching in
high schools in New'York State and New Jersey, and
retired in l946. During her many years of service in
the French Department Miss Conrow taught students at
all levels of their progress - from the beginners, to
whom she gave particular care and encouragement, up
to the class in Molibre, a subject which was especially
congenial to her lively sense of humor. She made an
invaluable contribution to the smooth functioning of
the department. Faithful in all things,she never con-
sidered any task too small to receive scrupulous
attention. In discussion of policy matters one could
depend on her for a word of good counsel, given at
the right time, and founded on experience and wise
judgment.
In 1925 Miss Conrow was elected Secretary of the
Faculty, and held this important post until her retire-
ment in 1946. For the period 1937 to l947, including
one year after she had withdrawn from teaching, she
was also Secretary of the Board of Trustees - the
first member of the faculty to serve in this capacity.
The value of her service to both faculty and trustees
is well expressed in the resolution adopted by the
trustees in May l947, which we quote in part:
"...To convey the meaning of the Board's delibera-
tions and actions in brief and effective minutes
is a difficult art. Hiss Conrow is a master
craftsman in this art. Her work...has not only
constituted a fine permanent record for the col-
lege but has been of constant help to all members
of the Board... in clarifying their thought for
further action. Her devotion and wisdom in this
work and her loyalty and friendship in performing
it... cannot be measured.”
GEORGIAHNA CONROW (Continued)
Miss Conrow's interest in the total college community
was friendly and warm. But it extended beyond the
campus; to civic work also she gave generously of her
time and her abilities. Among the important offices
she held in Poughkeepsie were: Director of the Vassar
Hospital Association and President of the Beard of
Directors in 1939-l940; 2nd Vice-President of the
Comunity Chest; 2nd Vice-President of the Poughkeepsie
Garden Club; member of the Scholarship Fund Comittee
of the Poughkeepsie Branch of the American Association
of University Women, and general Chairman of the v
regional A.A.U.W; convention held at Vassar College
in l948. She was also actively interested in the
Women's Republican Club of Dutchess County, and
several County welfare associations.
The great amount of work Miss Comrcw accomplished,
and her many and varied interests reflect her
character. With her untiring energy she carried
through to completion a task however small or large.
She will be greatly missed not only at Vassar College
but in the wider city and county community. Her zest
for living and interest in people of all ages and
walks of life will be a lasting memory to all who
knew her.
Mary Landon Sague
Vera Thomson
Margaret de Schweinitz
XIV — 15