Idelle Peterson

Idelle Johnson Peterson was the sixth Iowa Alpha recipient of the Tau Beta Pi Woman's Badge, graduating from Iowa State with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1960. While at ISU she was active in the student chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, holding a number of offices. She was also a member of the Iowa State Players throughout her years as an undergraduate, performing in yearly theater productions including "The Innocents," "I remember mama," "The Importance of Being Earnest" and "The Lesson".

After graduation, she married Leonard Dean Peterson, a PhD student in Mathematics, and remained at Iowa State to pursue graduate studies, received a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering in 1964 and a PhD in 1968. Her research was done at the Ames Laboratory and involved the growth of gadolinium single crystals and the recrystallization of zinc.

Idelle's professional career included one year at the McDonnell Douglas Research Center in St. Louis and over 20 years with the U.S. Army in St. Louis, working in aviation research and development.

Idelle has three children and since retiring has lived in Bourbon, Missouri.

Paver Inscription:

"Iowa Alpha Chapter of Tau Beta Pi
Women's Badge Recipients:
Eloise Zimmerman '46 Arch E
Mary Hurd '47 Civil E
Jane Templeman '53 Arch
Judy May '58 Chem E
Karen Gray '60 Chem E
Idelle Peterson '60 Chem E
Beverly Audeh '61 Aero E
Mardith Baenziger '68 Arch E"