Dr. P.V. Peterson
PETERSON, SHORT, JOHNSON
Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 2/12/2012 at 20:51:01
Dr. P.V. Peterson was born in Hampton, Iowa. Educated at the University of Northern Iowa, where his wife also earned her doctor's degree. He received his master's and doctor's degrees in chemistry at Stanford University and served in the U.S. Army medical corps during World War I.
He was founder and director of the West Coast School of Nature Study, a summer outdoor program, from 1931 to 1949. He returned to his alma mater to teach agriculture and chemistry, before coming to California in 1921, where he taught chemistry at Santa Maria High School and Junior College.
He also served two years as dean of professional education at San Jose State College from 1945-47. Dr. Peterson was professor of chemistry and chairman of the Division of Natural Science at San Jose State for 23 years, from 1924-47.
He is married to the former Mary M. Short. She is a charter member of Stanford Dames, a charter member of CSCLB Faculty Wives and an honorary life member of Ebell Club. She also sponsors Pi Omega of Phi Beta at CSCLB.
Dr. Peterson belongs to numerous scientific and honor societies, including Delta Sigma Rho, Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Omega, and is listed in Who's Who in American, Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who in the West, Presidents of American Colleges and Universities and American Men of Science. He is past member of the board of directors of Pacific Hospital in Long Beach, served as chairman of the Long Beach Community board United Way from 1967-68 and is a former member of the California State Scholarship Commission, from 1955-61.
Dr. Peterson was the first president of CSCLB from 1949 to 1959, after serving two years as acting president at Los Angeles State College. He is now presiding emeritus of the Long Beach campus.
Children, P. Victor Peterson (wife Joy) of Fremont; John Edward Peterson (wife Ina) of Palos Verdes Estates and Eleanor Marie (Mrs. R.D. Johnson) of Long Beach.
~Long Beach Independent Press-Telegram, June 22, 1969
~This bio & the photo was part of a news write-up of the Peterson's 50th Wedding anniversary
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