A testament to her efficacy in establishing the Department of Home Economics (more recently known as the Department of Leadership and Developmental Sciences) over the course of her 31-year tenure, Bertha Mary Terrill (1870–1968) initiated the program during the fall semester of 1909 as the sole instructor with only a single classroom located in the basement of Morrill Hall.
 With a $1,000 contribution raised by university alumnae, Terrill converted the former storage room into her classroom and laboratory, shoveling out the plaster herself.
 The first woman to join the faculty in the university's history during that year, Terrill was soon appointed as the Dean of Women.
 In 1911, an additional instructor and a furnished room within Morrill Hall was added to the department.
 Terrill's introduction of "practical education" for women within her curriculum (e.g. Chemistry, Physiology, Bacteriology, which were prerequisites for most of her courses) was considered to be highly controversial among higher-education institutions of the day.
 Later reflecting that she may not have had the courage to come to Vermont had she known beforehand how much prejudice against women she would encounter,  Terrill nevertheless had a successful academic career, which included; the authorship of a book, serving as a charter member of the American Home Economics Association, and the co-founding of the Burlington Community Center (today known as the Sara M. Holbrook Community Center) in Burlington, Vermont in November 1937.
 Taking an interest in a number of humanitarian efforts, Professor Terrill had introduced educational programs to people in rural areas of the State to improve nutrition, consumer practices, and sanitation.
 While undertaking this work, she had urged many farm girls to enroll in the university.
 A notable colleague (and former student), Mary Jane Simpson (1888-1977) had once remarked; "No one ever knew how many girls Bertha helped finance out of her own pocket."

Having expanded the department to six full-time professors and three research professors, Professor Terrill was awarded and honorary Doctorate of Science in Home Economics upon her retirement in 1940.
A testament to her efficacy in establishing the Department of Home Economics (more recently known as the Department of Leadership and Developmental Sciences) over the course of her 31-year tenure, Bertha Mary Terrill (1870–1968) initiated the program during the fall semester of 1909 as the sole instructor with only a single classroom located in the basement of Morrill Hall.  With a $1,000 contribution raised by university alumnae, Terrill converted the former storage room into her classroom and laboratory, shoveling out the plaster herself.  The first woman to join the faculty in the university's history during that year, Terrill was soon appointed as the Dean of Women.  In 1911, an additional instructor and a furnished room within Morrill Hall was added to the department.  Terrill's introduction of "practical education" for women within her curriculum (e.g. Chemistry, Physiology, Bacteriology, which were prerequisites for most of her courses) was considered to be highly controversial among higher-education institutions of the day.  Later reflecting that she may not have had the courage to come to Vermont had she known beforehand how much prejudice against women she would encounter,  Terrill nevertheless had a successful academic career, which included; the authorship of a book, serving as a charter member of the American Home Economics Association, and the co-founding of the Burlington Community Center (today known as the Sara M. Holbrook Community Center) in Burlington, Vermont in November 1937.  Taking an interest in a number of humanitarian efforts, Professor Terrill had introduced educational programs to people in rural areas of the State to improve nutrition, consumer practices, and sanitation.  While undertaking this work, she had urged many farm girls to enroll in the university.  A notable colleague (and former student), Mary Jane Simpson (1888-1977) had once remarked; "No one ever knew how many girls Bertha helped finance out of her own pocket."
Having expanded the department to six full-time professors and three research professors, Professor Terrill was awarded and honorary Doctorate of Science in Home Economics upon her retirement in 1940.
Morrill Hall (University of Vermont)