Jordre, Emma (1916-1999)

Emma Jordre

Growing up on a North Dakota wheat farm, Emma Jordre was the only girl in a family of six brothers. Later in life she attributed her professional success to the competitiveness she had learned from her brothers.

As a child Jordre developed a passion for clothing from her grandmother, who made all of her clothes. After earning an undergraduate degree in Home Economics Education from North Dakota State University in Fargo, Jordre taught for several years before coming to UW to complete an MS in Textiles and Clothing. In 1951 she was appointed an assistant professor in Clothing and Textiles.

Jordre was particularly known for her undergraduate teaching and advising and her administrative abilities. As professor of Textiles and Clothing 150, a large first-year class through which hundred of students passed, Jordre took pride in her ability to help students get started on their academic careers: "I especially enjoyed teaching and advising the beginning students. I had an open door policy. It was my job to listen, help and get them off to a good start."

For twenty-seven of her twenty-nine years at UW, Jordre served as chair of the Clothing and Textiles Department and then as program coordinator for the Environment, Textiles and Design program area. She saw the program area through important transitions, such as the merger with the Related Arts Department in 1974. Jordre also contributed generously to the School by chairing many committees, including the 1968 committee responsible for reorganizing the School and the 1973 search committee for a new dean.