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Portrait from 1956 Milestone dedication
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Born
1904, Burlington, North Carolina
B.A.
North Carolina College for Women (now University of North Carolina -
Greensboro)
M.A. 1927: Studies on the Saprolegniaceae and
the genus Pythium
Ph.D. 1930: Studies on the genera Nematosporangium
and Pythium
M.A. and Ph.D. degrees were completed at the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill under the advisement of Dr. William Chambers Coker.
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The University of North Carolina Herbarium has
catalogued approximately 400 vascular plant specimens collected by Dr.
Matthews. As only about 10% of the
collection is catalogued, no doubt there are many more of her specimens to be
found. As she was primarily a
mycologist, no doubt there are many of her specimens in the fungal collection
to be found and catalogued.
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From
the 1958 Milestone (Coker College yearbook):
"How beautifully feminine she
looked in her blue hat that matched her blue eyes" as described by a
chapel speaker.
Velma
Matthews was head of Coker's Biology Department for twenty-two years. This
mental picture will always remain in our minds, for Dr. Matthews was lovely,
not only in appearance, but also in life.
A prominent Carolina scientist, Dr. Matthews filled key state and regional
offices in a number of scientific organizations, including a 1946-1947 term
as the first women president of the South Carolina Academy of Science. She
was also author of numerous scientific publications.
She was a leader as well in local community planning and improvement
activities. Coker's campus was Dr. Matthew's own personal garden,
and we at Coker loved her for the beauty she created and shared with others,
for the value she found in people and for the courage of her life.”
Dedication to Dr. Matthews in the 1956 Milestone
Article recognizing her dedication in the 1956 Milestone
