Ph.T.: The Good Wife Diploma
The Good Wife Diploma, ca. 1964
Ph.T Diploma to wives, ca. 1964.
Board Meeting Minutes May 14, 1964.
Thomas Stafford, Jr. to Sandy Wakefield, January, 19, 1966.
Thank you letter to Dr. and Mrs. Harry C Kelly for presenting, June 25, 1969.
This drawing appeared on the cover of the 1956-1957 State's Mates yearbook.
As an award for the wives of graduating students at NC State, a “respected official” from the school presented the woman with a Good Wife Diploma, also known as a Ph. T or “Putting Hubby Through” award. The award is presented to honor the service, patience, and faithfulness she gave to her husband during his time at the university.
The origins of the Good Wife Diploma program are unclear; it is unknown who started it first, the student government or the State’s Mates. What is known, however, is that the Good Wife Diploma was one of the most special times of year for members of the State’s Mates because the award meant so much to the women receiving it. By 1966, the student activities director informed the State’s Mates that the school would no longer present the award. He suggested, though, that the State’s Mates sponsor the program since it was a natural fitting. He explained that the student government would fund the project, while the State’s Mates would do the plans for the ceremony. The States Mates executive board agreed that it would be a good addition to the many projects they participated in throughout the year.
Visit other Exhibits in the Good Wife Diploma.