Talk:Alice Crocker Lloyd

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Overview Alice Crocker Lloyd was not only the longest serving Dean of Women, but also a trailblazer in progressive educational programs and ideals for young women at the time. She proved to be both a confidante and advisor to her students, but also cautioned against falling into the trappings of social life that could be found in the collegiate experience. In many ways her advice is still relevant to women seeking an education today. Early Life An Ann Arbor, Michigan native, Lloyd was born on December 9, 1893 to Alfred H. Lloyd and Margaret Crocker Lloyd. Academia ran in her family; her father was the former dean of the University’s graduate school and also served as acting president of the University in 1925. She had a relatively typical upbringing, growing up on what was at the time the outskirts of the town and attending the now defunct Ann Arbor High and later Milton Academy in Milton, MA. She liked to collect poems as a child and showed a romantic side to her ambitious nature. Alice was a twin sister with two brothers, one of whom, Frederick T. Lloyd fought in World War I. He would unfortunately suffer from PTSD after his return home and spent the rest of his life in a Battle Creek veteran’s hospital. During the summer the Lloyds would go to Piseco, NY in the Adirondacks where they engaged in canoeing, hiking and swimming. Lloyd found the latter to be the most enjoyable and took very easily to it. Showing her dreamy nature in her writings and collection of poems was also noticed. As a student, she was described as being serious and successful. She was considered a devoted friend and during her time at the University engaged in theatre, becoming an excellent singer. This showed in her election to the soloist at the local Episcopal Church. Her liberal father and mother who had moved from the East coast shaped her progressive ideas. Lloyd also spent time dealing with the horrors of war herself. She went to Luke’s Hospital Training School of Nurses two years after graduating from the University of Michigan. She graduated in 1921 and then went on to have a somewhat different experience for a woman of the time in the justice system. It could have been her time spent as a probation officer working specifically with delinquent, juvenile girls in Wayne County, Detroit that prepared her to develop the grit she needed for her position as the Dean. Even early on her career people had begun taking notice of her. She received the Navy’s certificate of recognition for her service during the war. One of Lloyd’s crowning achievements during her years at Michigan was the development of women’s dormitories. Four major residence halls were built under her watchful eye; Stockwell, Mosher—Jordan. Supportive programs for the female students were very important to her as well. The Women’s Athletic Building was just one of the many programs that advanced the quality of life for these undergraduate women due to her efforts. Most notably, was her dedication to erecting the Michigan League, headquarters for activities of women students as well as for alumnae. Alice was not a champion for Greek Life, which had become popular at the time she came to her position at the University. This tied into her issues with the way school had become a place where social life mattered more. The experience outside of the classroom had become just as important as the academics. Not much is known about Alice’s personal life outside of the walls of the University. She was described as being very “handsome” and tall with strong features, yet despite this she would never marry. Her parents in comparison appeared to have a happy courtship filled with love letters and her twin sister Margaret married as well. Nevertheless, Alice would become the godmother of many of her friends’ children. In some ways it seems like she viewed her pupils as her own. Alice Lloyd’s story would unfortunately come to a close too soon. She died only at the age of 56 on March 3, 1950 and it is said that she suffered from an illness for two years prior to that. She passed away in her home on Washtenaw, also the same house she was raised in and was survived by her mother, sister and two brothers. Her death appeared to create a dark cloud among her friends and relatives. In a letter to Lloyd’s sister addressing the naming of the new woman’s dorm after Alice, the acting Dean of Women, Sarah L. Healy speaks of trying to get in touch with Lloyd’s mother to tell of the event, but had been advised not to due to the sensitive nature of the matter. Many people threw themselves into dedicating buildings and funds in Lloyd’s name post death. A significant amount of effort was put into creating these, which shows just how much of an impact she made on the life of her students. Despite her attitude that school should be a place for learning, away from social distractions, Lloyd still maintained an idealistic view on the world and education. In a speech given to the National Association of Deans of Women from January, 1944 she stated, “Education must be inspired by courageous and spiritual leadership and must touch the hearts of people as well as train their minds.” Additionally, in a speech given at the American Legion Auxiliary Services on August 16, 1945, she said, “It is through generosity and compassion and honesty and love that we will build a new world.” Her accomplishments on paper are numerous. She was a member of the National Association of Deans of Women, the American Association of University Women, Phi Beta Kappa, and Phi Kappa Phi. Her dedication to the University of Michigan led her to become the president of the Association of Deans of Women from 1941 to 1943. While Lloyd did remain single, she was very active outside of the University as well. She was a member of the Episcopal Church in Ann Arbor, serving as the Chairman of the Music Committee and also a member of the Ann Arbor Dramatic Season Chamber of Commerce in Ann Arbor where she would serve on the executive committee from 1937-42. This interest in the arts would present itself in town life; her shared home with her mother and aunt became a gathering space for artists and performers. She even served during 1936 as a member of the Board of Directors for Cranbrook Kingswood School. Also having an interest in politics, she became a member of the Democratic Party. It should be noted, however, that there is not much released to the public about Lloyd. She was undoubtedly a figure who fought for educational programs to benefit women at a time when progressive movements had not taken preeminence. This is most clearly shown in a correspondence between the editor of A Biographical Dictionary and Mary T. Bromage over whether she should be included in the dictionary. The editor, Edward James believed Lloyd did not have much influence outside of Michigan even though it is clear that she had many leadership positions before her death. Nevertheless, her legacy continues to live on to this day and is seen in the numerous advancements that women have made at the University of Michigan and in higher education as a whole.