the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the history of computer science dates back to the 19th century, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that the field became an established academic discipline. On June 7, 1965, the first two Ph.D. graduates in computer science in the United States earned their degrees—Irving Tang of Washington University in St. Louis and Sister Mary Kenneth Keller of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
While both were pioneers, Sister Mary Kenneth Keller holds a unique place in history as not only the first woman in the U.S. to earn a Ph.D. in computer science but also as a Catholic nun dedicated to both education and technological advancement.
From Teaching to Technology: Sister Keller’s Academic Journey
Born Evelyn Keller, she took the name Mary Kenneth when she joined the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) in 1933 at age 19. Over the next 29 years, she balanced her religious commitments with academic pursuits, earning degrees while teaching elementary and high school students.
Her educational background includes:
- Bachelor’s degree in mathematical sciences from DePaul University (1943)
- Master’s degree in mathematics from DePaul University (1952)
Keller’s passion for computing was sparked in 1961, when she attended her first computer workshop. Recalling the moment in an interview with The Witness, she said:
“I just went out to look at a computer one day, and I never came back.”
Advancing Computer Science and Education
After earning her Ph.D. in computer science in 1965, Keller founded the computer science department at Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa—one of the first computer science programs at a small college in the U.S.
Her contributions to technology extended beyond the classroom. She:
- Helped develop educational modules for the BASIC programming language
- Taught adult computer courses, including tutoring renowned architect Buckminster Fuller
- Advocated for computing as a tool for education, believing that computers could help people “aspire to higher levels of thinking”
A Lasting Legacy
Sister Mary Kenneth Keller was not just a pioneer in computer science, but also a champion for women in STEM and education. Her vision for technology as a means of intellectual empowerment remains relevant today.
As more women break barriers in tech, her legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of diversity, education, and innovation in the ever-evolving field of computer science.
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Whoops! Believes in God and white, the regular media can’t have that! Thank You for bringing her contributions up front!