Daily Archives: November 29, 2013

It was 1972, and the World Was Still in Turmoil

29 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by in Reflections

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It was 1972, and the world was still in turmoil; “strike semester” and Kent State in the spring of ’70…Vietnam, politics…the women’s movement building…and Joan called a session in the IRC building for we young women trying to understand it all…Walking into the IRC, what song was Blasting!! throughout the building but Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman”….I can’t hear that song without thinking of her and that day. When you consider the number of lives she touched, both men and women, and I know with passion and grace, it is a legacy for you all as her family to be most proud of in your mom’s honor. She was so perfect for her time and its funny how some days are a photograph, or video even, in your mind and stay with you. That day with the song blasting just makes me smile whenever I think of it. I actually have always remembered, and can still see myself, walking down the stairs in that IRC room…it was one on the Sherman Hall side, over by Fitzelle…(I go back to campus from time to time with roommates, else believe me, I wouldn’t know the name of that building, ha ha). The energy in that room was amazing…and we all came away with high spirits and commitments to our beliefs. Those times demanded nothing less and it was a defining moment for me personally. Joan’s leadership, compassion, great humor and ability to challenge us both in the classroom and in our lives have stayed with me my whole life. I was a history major and thrilled with each class I took with her. She will always be a favorite with a special place in my heart. Blessings to her family and each of you she touched.

~Holly DeVan (1973)

Want to share your own reflection or memory of Joan Iversen? You can do so on this page.

Grateful for Joan Iversen’s Impact in Your Life? Consider Paying it Forward

29 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by in Scholarship Updates

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A quiet lake with a ripple spreading from the center

The Ripple Effect

Reading the stories of how my mom has changed lives has left me in awe and grateful. I’ve learned so much about her and about each person who has taken the time to share a story. If you are someone who feels that she gave you a gift, I’m inviting you to consider “paying it forward” by donating to her scholarship so that someone else can have the gift of education. I know it’s something that she would have been both humbled about and proud of, because education was so important to her.

No donation is too small — personally, I love the idea of a scholarship fund that has grown because of gifts from all the people whose lives she touched, it’s like each donor is giving her back a piece of themselves. I know that a small donation, like $25, seems like a small amount when you hear that we need to raise $20,000 more. But when you look at it another way, only 800 people need to give $25 for us to reach that goal, or 200 people giving $100. That doesn’t seem like an unachievable goal — so many of you have written about her touching thousands of lives.

Wondering why a donation-funded scholarship is needed at a state university? Then you might want to read about why we chose a scholarship to honor her legacy

Want to give now, online? donate to the College at Oneonta Foundation and choose “Other” under Designation for Funds and specify “Dr. Joan Iversen Memorial Scholarship” in the text box after “Other.”

Read more here about how to mail your donation, and about how to be acknowledged as a donor on this blog.

Photo credit: Photo on Flickr, provided by Richard Freeman through Creative Commons licensing.