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AROUND THE QUADSIn Memoriam: Betty JemmottSecretary Emerita of the University Marion E. “Betty” Jemmott, Columbia’s first female senior administrator, died on April 30, 2006, in Newtown, Pa. She was 80. Jemmott dedicated 35 years to Columbia and even after her retirement in 1988 continued to be involved with the University, as a participant and coordinator for the Lifelong Learners Program. Born on October 16, 1925, in New York City, Jemmott earned a B.A. at Queens College in 1948. She pursued graduate work at Teachers College and studied at Harvard’s Institute for Educational Management. A pioneer feminist, Jemmott joined Columbia in 1951 as an administrative assistant in the philosophy department, a position she held until 1962, when she became assistant to the dean of graduate studies at Hofstra. She returned to Columbia in 1964 as office manager in the Placement Office, and later that year was named assistant to the secretary of the University, then in 1970 assistant to the president. Jemmott was acting University secretary from 1972–78, when she became the first woman to serve as University secretary. She was the primary liaison for the trustees and the president, maintained University records and ensured that all matters were transacted in accordance with statutes and bylaws. One of the four presidents Jemmott worked with, Michael Sovern ’53, Kent Professor of Law, said, “Betty was, among many things, the incomparable, irreplaceable, walking encyclopedia of Columbiana. We referred to her as, ‘the last word.’ If Betty said it, it was true.” Jemmott is survived by her brother, Arthur Haddon Jemmott; niece, Donna Lynn Starford; and close friend, Helen Thomas. A memorial service was held on campus in September.
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