Associate Professor of Child Psychology, University of Chicago, Illinois, (1929-1960)
Professor Emeritus, University of Chicago, Illinois (1960-1977)
Dr. Koch was one of the National Founders prior to the organization of Lambda State in 1935.
She was a member of the Departments of Home Economics and Psychology, advising on matters of child guidance. From 1933-1949 she served as general supervisor to the University of Chicago Nursery School and directed practice teaching psychological studies.
Dr. Koch was a hard-working person, starting her day between 4:30 and 5:30 in the morning, continuing late into the evening. Her ability to concentrate was so great that she wasted no time shifting from the completion of one task to the onset of another.
Her early interest was in music. She began serious study of the piano at the age of eight, and for fourteen years spent her time developing skillful techniques and appreciation of fine music. Toward the end of her undergraduate years her interests shifted toward the teaching of psychology, and with customary thoroughness she devoted her time to that graduate field of study. Always the scholar, she was tireless to learn, not only in her own field of choice, psychology, but other fields as well. During the years of teaching at the University of Texas she became one of the Founders of the National Society.
(From biography written by Helen Hunsinger, Alpha Beta.)
Dr. Koch's career included many interests and distinctions. She served on advisory boards for many organizations and published a number of distinguished articles, monographs, and books. In 1967 she published her book, Twins.
In 1967 she was awarded the G. Stanley Hall Medal for Distinguished Contributions to Developmental Psychology by the American Psychological Association.
That same year Lambda State made a contribution to the Educational Foundation in Dr. Koch's honor.
She served as the representative of the Founders on the International Administrative Board during 1966-1968 and was re-elected to serve during the 1968-1970 biennium. Speaking at the meeting of the Administrative Board in November, 1967, Dr. Koch expressed her belief in Delta Kappa Gamma's responsibility in legislation as well as in studying sociological problems. She urged involvement of members, calling for extra emphasis on more and sustained effort, more self-evaluation, and definition of a role for everybody, especially new members. At the 1968 International Convention her fervent plea, asking members to rethink the abandonment of Purpose 4, no doubt influenced the voting, and the result was retention of this Purpose.
Dr. Koch remained an active and loyal member of Kappa Chapter until her death, July 19, 1977.