Here stands Bilger Addition a significant part of the University of Hawaii Manoa campus. This isn’t just any building. Bilger Addition is connected to the remarkable life of Leonora Neuffer Bilger. She was a prominent chemist and administrator. Leonora and her husband Earl both shaped the university’s chemistry department.
Leonora’s story is one of ambition and resilience. She earned a PhD from the University of Cincinnati. She taught at prestigious institutions like Sweet Briar College. Eventually she and Earl settled in Hawaii. Leonora became the dean of women. Students affectionately called her Ma. She lectured on appropriate behavior for young women.
But Leonora was more than a dean. She was a powerful force. She challenged university president Crawford. Their conflict was intense. Leonora’s close relationship with Board of Regents member Samuel N Castle played a role. She was accused of sharing negative information about Crawford. Ironically Castle left Leonora a huge inheritance when he died.
After her time as dean Leonora returned to chemistry. She became chair of the department. She oversaw the planning of a new chemistry building. She meticulously planned every detail. Even the murals depicting the Greek elements were carefully considered. She championed nuclear energy and opposed water fluoridation. Even in retirement Leonora remained influential.
The Bilger Addition alongside Bilger Hall stands as a testament to Leonora’s legacy. It houses the chemistry department’s cutting-edge research. The building bears witness to her contributions to science and the university. It is a fitting tribute to a woman who left an indelible mark on Hawaii. This quiet addition speaks volumes about a remarkable life.