9/9/20
Arts and Sciences
Languages and Cultures
Mary Lou Fenstemaker John Papers, 1940-2004
Dr. Mary Lou Fenstemaker John, professor and chairperson of languages and cultures at
Bloomsburg University, came to Bloomsburg from Detroit in 1926 at the age of two. That year
Dr. John's father, Howard F. Fenstemaker, a 1912 graduate of the Bloomsburg State Normal
School, was hired by the school to teach French, Latin, Spanish, and German. In 1945 she
received her B.S. in education from the Bloomsburg State Teachers College, and was certified to
teach French, Spanish, English, and Social Studies. She earned her master's in History from
Bucknell University, and in 1978 earned a PhD in French from Pennsylvania State University.
While in college at Bloomsburg, Dr. John was president of CGA, a member of the Drama Club,
and sang soprano in the Women's Chorus. She was also a member of Alpha Psi Omega (national
honorary society in theatre), and Kappa Delta Pi (national honorary society in education). Before
Dr. John joined the Bloomsburg faculty, she taught Spanish for two years at Central Columbia
High School. As a professor, John served as Director of Cultural Affairs and Director of
International Educations. She was also the advisor for the International Club, Phi Sigma Iota
(national foreign language honor society) and the French Club. During her teaching career, Dr.
John added the exchange teachers program to England and helped organize trips to Europe and
Canada. In 1979, she organized a Japanese program at BU. Dr. John was a member and former
president and secretary of the American Association of Teachers of French as well as secretary
of the Pennsylvania Sate Modern Language Association. She was also a member of the First
English Baptist Church and was on the National Scholarship Board for American Baptists. She
retired from the University in 1986 and passed away in 2011 at the age of 86.
Box 1:
Bloomsburg Alumni, 1982-2001
Maroon and Gold papers
Alumni Association Newsletters
BU Alumni Board Directory
Bloomsburg Business and Professional Women's Club, 1987-2002
Programs and Directories
Bucknell, 1960-1999
Alumni Information and Newsletters
Class Schedules and Past Report Cards
Correspondence, 1943-1945
Howard Fenstemaker
Mary Fenstemaker
Harry John
Correspondence, 1944-1945
Correspondence, 1945

Correspondence, 1971-1978
Betty L. Fisher
Jacquie Berben
Professor Aleksandra Gruzinkska
Allen and Gene Murphy: letters from their missionary work in Caracas, Venezuela 1985
Russ and Rhonda MacCachran
"Louie" Chairman of the department of French Culture and Civilization 1981
Correspondence, 1995-1999
Suh Shih Wen: Writing from Taiwan
"Louie" (Louis Thompson)
Russ MacCachran
Patsy Nelson Davies
Hugh Chapman Jr.
Prof. Aleksandra Gruzinkska
Fenstemaker, Howard F.
Last will and testament
Biographical documents
Bloomsburg Career documents
Fenstemaker Library Fund, 1990-1995
Fenstemaker, Mary
Biographical Information
Box 2:
International Students
Letters and postcards from International Students throughout career
International Education Task Force, 1989
Administrative notes and documents
International Technology
Workshop Information
Penn State French Department Newsletter, 1970-2004
Penn State Personal
Dissertation
Alumni Association Newsletters
Previous Courses and Schedules
Phi Sigma Iota
The Forum
Various letters and Pamphlets
PSMLA Minutes, 10/9/1984 - 4/6/1986
PSMLA
Newsletters
Recommendations, 1945-1996
Retirement Scrapbook
Retirement party guest list

Scrapbook, 1940-1993
Various Articles, Cards, and Newspaper Clippings
Speeches by MLJ, 1976-1989
Translations and Talks, 1983-2003