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ROCK Voices

Website/online presentation of the ROCK Voices Oral history project conducted by Slippery Rock University.

Carolyn Rizza

Carolyn Rizza (1944 - 2022), professor emeritus, taught in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work from 1975 to 1999. She was instrumental in starting the university's Gerontology program, later becoming the president of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. As the only woman in her department when she was hired, and the first female chair of a department at one time, Rizza remarks on the changing roles of women on this campus. 

A donation from Rizza's family allowed the University to renovate West Hall, built in 1900 as the Model School. The building was renamed the Paul and Carolyn Carruth Rizza Hall in their honor. Since retiring, Rizza enjoys riding horses and currently serves as chair of the advisory board for the Equestrian Center.

 

Interview: September 23, 2008

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