Audrey Marie Effinger Dietrich Scrapbook

Date(s): Fall 1941 through Spring 1945

 

Physical extent: 1 Scrapbook

 

Name of Creator: Audrey Marie Dietrich (née Effinger), class of 1945.

 

Biographical history: Audrey Marie Effinger was born on March 30, 1924 in East Saint Louis, Illinois, to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Effinger. She attended St. Teresa’s Academy and graduated in 1941. That fall, Audrey entered Webster College where she studied from 1941 through 1943. During her time at Webster, Audrey received awards for her work in Biology and Spanish, and served as Spanish club treasurer in 1943. Unfortunately war-time gas rationing made it difficult for Audrey to drive to Webster from her home in Belleville so she had to leave college after only two years.

 

On October 4, 1947, she married Carl “Bud” Dietrich and together they had two children, a son Paul and a daughter Joan. Throughout her adult life, Audrey remained an active participant in the Webster University Alumni Association, serving on its Board of Directors, chairing class reunions, editing newsletters, etc. In 1982 she received the Mary Elizabeth Newell Award given to distinguished alumni for continuous service and loyalty to the Webster University community. In later years, Audrey helped make possible the Sisters of Loretto Founders Scholarship which honored the nuns who had taught her and had such a major influence on her life.

 

Audrey passed away on December 11. 2013. Even in her passing, her commitment to Webster University continued in her wishes to have family and friends donate to the Sisters of Loretto Founders Scholarship in her memory.

 

Scope/Content: This scrapbook contains countless clippings from the Webster student newspaper (“The Web”) and other local newspapers featuring stories about Webster students and area events from Audrey’s time at Webster. Other contents include many programs of events held by the University (e.g. graduation, parties, plays, and conferences), final exam entrance passes, report cards, announcements from the college, scholarship award letters, and personal correspondence to and from Audrey (postcards, invitations and letters from school faculty).

 

Conditions of Access and Use: The collection is open for research use by appointment only.

 

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use: Copyright restrictions may apply.

 

Languages and Scripts of the Material: Materials entirely in English.

 

Immediate Source of Acquisition: Audrey Marie Dietrich estate.