Norma Fields Furst is an American Academic administrator. The Philadelphia educational and Jewish communities benefited from her untiring commitment to furthering education and freedom, and from her ability to forge a human connection with everyone she encountered.
Background
Norma Fields was born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 26, 1931, the only child of Nathan B. and Anne (Cooper) Fields. Her parents divorced in 1941, and her mother later married Jerry Platzer. Norma’s maternal grandparents, Menachem Mendel and Jenny (Shayndl) Cooper, were Polish emigrés who emigrated to the United States to secure a better education for their children. Growing up in the Coopers’ Orthodox Brooklyn home, Norma inherited their commitment to higher education, the Jewish people, and Jewish values.
Education
She graduated from public high school at age sixteen, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Brooklyn College in 1951, with a B.A. cum laude in English.
She pursued graduate studies at New York University, the University of Bridgeport, and Temple University. In 1963, Furst and her husband received master’s degrees from Temple, and in 1967, they earned their doctorate degrees, she in education and he in psychology.
In 1986 she earned Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary) from Combs College of Music.
Career
Higher education was not merely a family priority; it also became Furst’s professional focus. She worked her way up from English teacher and guidance counselor at Harcum Junior College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania (1962–1963), to professor of psychoeducational processes at Temple University’s College of Education (1973–1983). In addition to her teaching duties and extensive research, Furst served as Temple’s dean of students from 1974 to 1983. At Temple, Furst’s commitment to civil rights and equal opportunity was evident in her advocacy for and personal relationships with her students.
In 1983, Furst became president of Harcum Junior College. During her nine-year tenure she demonstrated her dedication to women’s colleges and to Jewish values regarding issues such as minority education and the environment. From 1992 to 1994, Furst served as president of Baltimore Hebrew University. Furst wrote several articles on education and served as editor for two educational journals. She received numerous awards for her teaching and humanitarian commitments, including the 1990 Louise Waterman Wise Award of the American Jewish Congress.
Achievements
Norma Fields Furst has been listed as a noteworthy academic administrator by Marquis Who's Who.
Works
dissertation
“The Multiple Languages of the Classroom: A Further Analysis and a Synthesis of Meanings Communicated in High School Teaching.”
1967
Selected papers
“Interaction Analysis in Teacher Education: A Review of Studies.”
1971
Views
She rejected halakha [Jewish law] until her daughter wanted an observant home.
Membership
She devoted her time and energy to Soviet Jewry, the International B’nai B’rith Hillel Commission, the Jewish Publication Society, and dozens of other educational, Jewish, and community organizations.
Soviet Jewry
The International B’nai B’rith Hillel Commission
The Jewish Publication Society
Personality
Quotes from others about the person
Beverly Penn: "She was only with us for a short time, but she had a major impact upon Baltimore Hebrew University. She served as our guiding light as we moved toward the 21st century. To know her was to love her."
Dr. Robert O. Freedman: "An outstanding leader and a wonderful human being."
Interests
Avocations: reading, theater, grandchildren.
Connections
On September 9, 1951, she married M. Lawrence Furst. The Fursts had a son and a daughter, Merrick Lee and Laura.
