In 1893, Adele H. Stamp was born in Catonsville, Maryland. Stamp grew up in Catonsville, approximately 20 miles from the University of Maryland, College Park campus where she would work for nearly four decades. She attended St. Timothy's School and Western High School.
Early career and college education
Between 1913 and 1915, Stamp taught physical education at Catonsville High School. During the summers of 1914 and 1915, she enrolled in a "College Courses for Teachers" program at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Stamp then enrolled at Sophie Newcomb College. She spent the summers of 1915 and 1916 teaching physical education at Alfred University, and she returned to Maryland in the summer of 1917 to serve as summer school instructor at the University of Maryland.
During 1919 and 1920 Stamp served as the director of recreation for female workers at the Industrial Service Center of the YWCA in New Orleans while finishing her studies at Newcomb College. In 1921, Stamp graduated from with a degree in sociology. After graduation, Stamp accepted a position with the Red Cross as a field representative in the South. Soon after, University of Maryland president offered her the position of Dean of Women, which she accepted.
Academic career at the University of Maryland
Dean of women of the University of Maryland (1922–1960)
Stamp served as Dean of Women at the University of Maryland, College Park for 38 years. She initially took the position as a one-year contract, which was renewed for a second year before being extended to comprise the remainder of her career. The university had just begun admitting women in 1916. During Stamp's tenure as Dean of Women, enrollment of female students increased from 93 in 1922 to approximately 4,000 in 1960. In 1923, she organized the Maryland State Association of Deans of Women, which soon gained membership from neighboring Delaware, Virginia, and Washington, DC. In 1924, Stamp earned a master's degree in sociology at the University of Maryland, where she completed a thesis entitled "Community Organization in Maryland Welfare Organization." She undertook additional graduate work at Catholic University of America and American University. During her time as dean of women, Stamp founded or helped to found many organizations:
Dean of women emeritus, University of Maryland (1960–1974)
When Stamp retired in December 1960, the University of Maryland Board of Regents awarded Stamp the title dean of women emeritus. Emeritus is the highest faculty honor bestowed by the board, and Stamp the first to receive the title. The Baltimore Sun, reporting on her retirement, mused that her 38 years of service was likely the "longest record of continuous service at a single school of any dean of women in the United States" .
Personal life
While at the University of Maryland, Stamp participated in or help found numerous community and civic organizations:
Chair of Library Extension and of Education, for which she made speeches throughout Maryland urging higher salaries for teachers, better schools, and support for education bills in the legislature.
