Kitty Hoffman: Femina Perfecta

By Kelli Gemmer (B.A. ’14, M.S. ’18)

Katherine “Kitty” Blood Hoffman (B.S. ’36) dedicated over 85 years to the university as a student-athlete-scholar, faculty member, administrator, philanthropist and distinguished alumna. She passed away on July 18, 2020, just weeks before her 106th birthday.

“Dr. Katherine Hoffman loved and served Florida State College for Women (FSCW) and Florida State University for almost 90 years,” said Betty Lou Joanos (B.S. ’57, Ph.D. ’85), Emeritus Alumni Society Board Member. “Honored untold times, her life exemplified the FSCW motto ‘Femina Perfecta,’ the complete woman.” This motto that appeared on the FSCW seal represented the idea of the “complete woman” who possessed the traits of Vires (strength), Artes (knowledge) and Mores (tradition) symbolized by the three torches.

Hoffman’s relationship with the institution began in 1932 when she attended FSCW during the Depression and bartered a truck load of oranges from her father's grove to pay her tuition. As a student at FSCW, Hoffman was involved in several student organizations including Phi Beta Kappa, Esteren, Mortar Board and the College Government Association where she later became president in 1936. She also served as captain of FSCW’s volleyball and baseball “Evens” teams and was a member of the F Club, an athletic honorary established at FSCW.

In 1936, Hoffman received her undergraduate degree in bacteriology and went on to earn a master’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. She was then accepted into Duke University’s Medical School, which at the time required female medical students to remain single. Instead, she married her husband Harold Hoffman and turned to teaching. 

Hoffman returned to FSCW in 1940 and served as a faculty member in the chemistry department for more than 40 years. She taught through World War II, FSCW's transition to Florida State University, and was the institution’s last dean of women. Hoffman was a pioneering scholar and chemistry professor at the university during a time when there weren’t many women in high-profile positions in science. As a faculty member, she authored several textbooks and articles that paved the way for women in the sciences. 

After retiring in 1984, Hoffman continued to be an active member of the FSU family. She established the Hoffman Endowed Fund and Lecture programs for FSU chemistry students, was a mentor for women at FSU, and served on the FSU Alumni Association’s Emeritus Alumni Society (EAS) Board. In 2014, EAS hosted a special Coffee Chat celebrating her 100th birthday. This past August, Hoffman celebrated her 105th birthday amongst friends and fellow EAS board members.

Hoffman is one of FSU’s most distinguished alumni. In 1996, she received the Bernard F. Sliger Award, the single highest honor given by the FSU Alumni Association, and in 2007, she was presented with an honorary Doctorate of Science from the university.

“Kitty Hoffman was truly a treasure,” said FSU President John Thrasher (B.S. ’65, J.D. ’72). “She loved FSU and dedicated her life to supporting students. As a pioneering scholar, faculty member and dean, she will be remembered for her great intellect, grace and dignity. We will all miss her.”

Watch Kitty Hoffman’s story here.

Make a gift to the Hoffman Family Endowment for Excellence.