Helen E. Grenga facts for kids

Helen Eva Grenga was a very important professor who taught engineering. She made history by becoming the first woman to be a full professor in engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, also known as Georgia Tech. She was born in 1938 and passed away on April 14, 2006.

Helen Grenga's Early Life and Studies

Helen Grenga loved science from a young age. She earned her first degree in Chemistry from Shorter University in 1960. Later, in 1967, she received her Ph.D. (a very advanced degree) in Physical Chemistry from the University of Virginia. Before becoming a professor, she worked for a short time at the Food and Drug Administration. This is a government group that makes sure our food and medicines are safe.

Her Time at Georgia Tech

Helen Grenga first came to Georgia Tech in 1967. She started as a postdoctoral fellow, which means she was doing advanced research after getting her Ph.D. In 1968, she became a professor of metallurgy. Metallurgy is the study of metals and how they behave.

Professor Grenga held many important jobs at Georgia Tech. She was the Director of Graduate Studies and Research. She also served as the Dean of Academic Affairs. These roles meant she helped guide students and manage how the university taught its classes.

Awards and Helping Others

Helen Grenga received many special awards for her work. These included the Georgia Tech ANAK Faculty Award. She also got the Women of Distinction Outstanding Faculty Member Award. This award came from the Georgia Tech Women’s Leadership Conference.

From 1981 to 1982, she was the national president of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). She had joined this group in 1973. She worked hard to help other women get into STEM fields. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. She also supported the local SWE group at Georgia Tech.

In 2001, Helen Grenga wrote a book called Movies on the Fantail. This book was about her brother's experiences. He served on the USS Barr during World War II.

Helen Grenga passed away on April 14, 2006, when she was 68 years old.]