Monthly Archives: May 2014

Celebrating a Birthday and Scholarship Milestone

31 Saturday May 2014

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Jack and Joan in the kitchen of their Goodyear Lake home, celebrating Jack's birthday.

Jack and Joan in the kitchen of their Goodyear Lake home, celebrating Jack’s birthday.

A ritual gathering in the Iversen household happened at the end of May: everyone would descend on the house at Goodyear Lake to help repair the dock and to celebrate Jack’s birthday with his favorite German Black Forest Cake with chocolate whipped cream frosting (baked by Joan Iversen, of course).

This year, Jack would have turned 84 on May 31st. So it seems especially appropriate to announce, on his birthday, that the scholarship that was established in his memory has become endowed! This means that there are now two scholarships endowed at the State University College at Oneonta, the Dr. Joan Iversen Memorial Scholarship, and the Professor Jack Iversen Memorial Scholarship.

A brick in the alumni brick garden at the State University of New York at Oneonta, put there by Mark Deligatti (1975).

A brick in the alumni brick garden at the State University of New York at Oneonta, put there by Mark Deligatti (1975).

Thanks to everyone who donated to these scholarships to ensure that Joan and Jack Iversen’s legacy continues.  And even though they are now endowed, gifts to each scholarship are still appreciated, because larger scholarships will increase the financial impact to the student recipient.

Finally, if you drink alcohol, please raise a glass to Jack Iversen on this occasion. His favorite drink was Mattingly and Moore bourbon–it was his last sip before he died, and we all drank some of it in his honor at his memorial service.

 

She “Challenged Women to Look at the World Differently”

16 Friday May 2014

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Joan Iversen giving one of her lectures

Joan Iversen giving one of her lectures

In 1969, after a first semester of uninspiring courses, I registered for my first course with Dr. Iversen.  This was the way college was supposed to be.  Dr. Iversen’s passion for U.S. History reaffirmed my love of it.  I continued through my college career taking every Dr. Iversen course I could get into. I declared a Social Science major and asked Dr. Iversen to be my advisor.

Dr. Iversen was amazing, while she was lecturing on an event or person, she would cite books and authors for further information.  When I stated my teaching career I would refer to these notes for info.  When I retired a few years ago I was cleaning out my books and found my notebooks from Dr. Iversen’s courses.  What great memories.

Probably her greatest influence was her women studies program.  This was in its early stage during my college career. Dr. Iversen challenged women to look at the world differently and not to accept the status quo.

Thank you Dr. Iversen for being my inspiration. Though during my 30-year teaching career not all my male high school students appreciated it!

~ cassandra finnis-palen

We Did It! A Mother’s Day Scholarship Celebration

11 Sunday May 2014

Posted by in Scholarship Updates

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Left to Right: Joan Iversen, her sister, Dawn Danielson, and her mother, Jean McAtamney. Kali is in front.

Left to Right: Joan Iversen, her sister, Dawn Danielson, and her mother, Jean McAtamney. Kali is in front.

We’ve just heard from the advancement office at the State University of New York at Oneonta that the Dr. Joan Iversen Memorial Scholarship has passed the $25,000 mark! This means it’s now endowed forever, or in development speak “in perpetuity.”

Thanks to all who have made the scholarship possible! My mom would have been so touched by all the people who gave to continue her legacy, to “pay forward” what she gave to each of us.

Some of you know may that my dad, Jack Iversen, died last month, April 21, 2014. In his final days, he felt good knowing that her scholarship would be secured in the weeks following his death.

We are continuing to accept gifts “to grow” my mom’s scholarship–as it grows it will provide more support to the Women’s/Gender Studies student who receives it. For this reason, I’ve changed the scholarship “goal” to $30,000, just because that’s a good round number.

We also are beginning a scholarship in my father’s name, Professor Jack Iversen, to support a psychology major interested in pursuing a career in school psychology or alcohol/drug abuse prevention/treatment field, who also has demonstrated a commitment to social justice. To donate to either scholarship, see our Donate Now page – just specify in the memo either “Dr. Joan Iversen Scholarship” or “Prof. Jack Iversen Scholarship” to indicate where you would like your donation to go.

 

 

A Poem For Joan

09 Friday May 2014

Posted by in Reflections

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Joan

 

We can

still

hear your voice

in our heads,

in our hearts,

Dear Friend.

 

In our times

of deepest

sorrow,

in our times

of deepest joy,

you were

there,

with all

your passion

with all

your might.

 

Even amidst

your pain,

you offered us

scrambled eggs, blueberry muffins,

fruit salad, coffee, and juice.

 

You are

the flower

in the Buddha’s

outstretched hand,

forever offering

your love.

 

We will

always

Cherish

your Presence

in our lives!

 

Much love,

Maryam and Akiba Mermey

 

 

Joan Iversen Speaks: Women’s Movement & Development of Women’s Studies at SUNY-Oneonta

01 Thursday May 2014

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History Department at SUNY-Oneonta, 1971

History Department at SUNY-Oneonta, 1971 – unnamed man in front row is Ralph Watkins

Perhaps you thought you would never hear Joan Iversen speak again? Fortunately, there are two interviews with her that were recorded as part of the Kitchen Table Conversations that are now housed at Milne Library, SUNY-Oneonta. Listen to her talk about “her education and the women’s movement” and, in the second part of the interview, the “development of the Women’s Studies Department at SUNY-Oneonta“.

The photo came from a clipping in Joan Iversen’s personal papers. I’m told that it was from the 1971 Yearbook, pg. 59 (thanks to Russ Padden for help identifying the source). Thanks to Mark Wolfgang for help identifying the last man in the front row.