Morita M. (Crymes) Bateman, retired associate professor of finance, real estate and decision sciences at Wichita State, was a first lady in multiple ways.
She was, for example, the only woman and one of only two civilians to earn a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of South Carolina in 1946. She then became the first woman faculty member in USC's physics department, while continuing her studies at the University of North Carolina, from which she earned a master's degree in physics in 1950.
After her husband completed his bachelor's degree, Boeing Wichita offered both of them jobs, and she became the company's first woman engineer. In 1963, she began doctorate studies in engineering operations research at Oklahoma State, commuting every weekend to be with her family in Wichita.
In 1965, she joined WSU's adjunct faculty and taught courses in industrial and mechanical engineering as the sole woman in the engineering college. She also caught the attention of Fran Jabara, dean of WSU's business college, who recruited her to develop the area of production/operations management. She finished her PhD in 1967, becoming the first doctorate member of the business faculty. During her 32 years at WSU, she was perhaps proudest of her success in having Alpha Kappa Psi change its rule that once barred women from belonging to the honorary business fraternity.
She died Oct. 9, 2013, in Wichita.
