Beth Unger

Elizabeth A. (Beth) Unger, Manhattan, Kansas, retired from a career at K-State spanning 47 years as a professor of computer science, as well as vice provost for academic services and technology and dean of continuing education. She earned a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and a master’s in mathematics from Michigan State University in 1961 and 1963, respectively. She earned her doctorate in computer science from the University of Kansas in 1978.

Unger started her career in 1958 programming a first-generation computer used to design the cyclotron at Michigan State. Her work during summers for IBM involved the first automation of an auto assembly line and control of switches on the natural gas pipelines. She assisted with the design for the first public research network, MERIT.

Unable to acquire a position as an engineer in industry, a position in mathematics and the computing center at K-State was arranged by the dean of engineering. Various positions were held at K-State including associate director of the computing center and associate dean of the graduate school. Her work as VPAST/DCE included service to the campus for academic computing, networking, telephonic, television, technical infrastructure for teaching and learning and the development of online courses.

Teaching and research were the focus of her career. She guided, as major professor, 18 doctoral students and 221 master’s students; authored more than 100 referred articles and six books. She was also a co-principal investigator along with Ruth Dyer and Beth Montelone on an NSF Advance grant to help women scientists and engineers achieve tenure.

Unger was active with a variety of organizations, including the dean’s alumni advisory board at Michigan State, computing accreditation (now in ABET) where she was named a fellow, and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, where work included measurement of economic impact of universities. She was named a distinguished alumna at both Michigan State and Hastings High School in her hometown of Hastings, Michigan.

At K-State, she advocated for women’s athletics on the K-State Athletic Council during integration in the 1960s and 70s, served with the IDEA Center Board as a member and chair, and chaired boards for the Flint Hills Breadbasket, Friends of McCain and the K-State Gardens.

Unger married her husband and K-State alumnus, Sam, and the two had three children and six grandchildren together.