I O W A S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y F O U N D A T I O N

PHILANTHROPYWOMEN&

WINTER 2009

Fifteen years ago Old Botany sat in

a depleted state on the north edge of

Iowa State University’s central cam-

pus. Fundraising efforts to renovate

the historical structure were at a

standstill due to lack of donor interest.

Enter Sharon Miller Rodine, a 1971

political science graduate and former

president of the National Women’s

Political Caucus, then living in the

Washington, D.C., area. Instead of

focusing solely on renovating the

building, Sharon took a different ap-

proach when she wrote to then-Iowa

State President Martin Jischke.

“I suggested to President Jischke that

Iowa State create the Carrie Chapman

Catt Center for Women and Politics,

house it in Catt Hall, and give life to

the renovation project,” Sharon said.

“After I sent the letter to President

Jischke, I received calls from the ISU

Foundation about the idea inviting me

to help promote the Catt Center as a

way to energize the fundraising effort

for the Catt Hall renovation.”

That step established of the Catt

Center in the College of Liberal Arts

and Sciences. The center, whose

main offices are located in Catt Hall,

provides leadership development and

educational opportunities for women

and men interested in politics and

public service through programs,

blending the resources and scholar-

ship of the academic environment

with the actual experiences of individ-

uals in the public and private sectors.

Sharon and her husband, Dick (’73

urban planning), who currently live

in Oklahoma City, Okla., have been

involved with the campus leadership

organization since its formation in

1992.

They continue to invest in the

Catt Center with the establishment

of such funds as the Alice Rodine

Internship in Community Activism,

named in honor of Dick’s mother. The

recipient of the internship the past

two years has been Greta Johnson,

a senior political science major who

also serves as the student member of

the Board of Regents, State of Iowa.

Continued inside

CENTER IDEA JUMP-STARTED FUNDRAISING EFFORTS

“We like to invest in the type of projects, like the Catt Center, that matter in a number of people’s lives and become a launching pad for their professional careers.”

SharonRodine

Celebrating Women and Philanthropy

For the tenth anniversary of the Women and

Philanthropy program at Iowa State University,

the ISU Foundation produced a commemorative

book, “Celebrating Women and Philanthropy.”

A limited number of copies of the 32-page

publication are still available and can be obtained

by contacting Dave Gieseke at 515.294.7263 or

dgieseke@foundation.iastate.edu.

OuRMiSSiOn

The ISU Foundation

Women and

Philanthropy program

works to educate and

encourage women

to be philanthropic

leaders at Iowa State

University and in

their communities.

Continued from p. 1

“We’ve seen the Catt Center de-

velop far beyond our initial hopes and

dreams,” Sharon said.

“When we return to campus and visit

Catt Hall and the Catt Center, we have

an opportunity to meet with the stu-

dents and hear and learn from them.

“We like to invest in the type of

projects, like the Catt Center, that

matter in a number of people’s lives

and become a launching pad for their

professional careers.”

Dick joked that “if you come up with

the idea, then they’re going to ask you

to help fund it.” But neither Iowa State

graduate has regretted their involve-

ment with the Catt Center.

“Our ‘investment’ in the Catt Center is

definitely having results,” he said. “This

was the first major financial commit-

ment we made to Iowa State, and the

project really pulled us in, got us more

involved with campus.”

“It has been the most satisfying volun-

teer project we’ve been involved with,”

Sharon said.

CENTER IDEA JUMPSTARTED FUNDRAISING EFFORTS

Catt Hall is the home of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics.

ISU Foundation Women and Philanthropy Committee

A MESSAGE FROM ThE ChAIR

DiDYOuKnOw?Over the past decade, the average gift amount to Iowa State University by women has increased 147 percent.

ColleenArmstrongWest Des Moines, Iowa

RhondaChristensenAlta, Iowa

SuzannadeBacaMaxwell, Iowa

MaryDubasJohnston, Iowa

PeggyJohnsonAmes, Iowa

SharonJuonWaterloo, Iowa

KristiKnousUrbandale, Iowa

BeverlyMaddenAmes, Iowa

KarolnickellUrbandale, Iowa

LoraTalbotBelmond, Iowa

DeeVandeventer,ChairCedar Falls, Iowa

MichelewhittyClive, Iowa

Who among us doesn’t want to make a difference? Wouldn’t

want to leave a legacy to a life well-lived? Wouldn’t want to

give back as she was so given to? As you read this issue of

Women & Philanthropy, you’ll be struck by the purpose-

driven philanthropy of Sharon Miller Rodine ’71. When the

fundraising drive to renovate Old Botany reached a stand-

still, Sharon’s idea to create the Carrie Chapman Catt Cen-

ter for Women and Politics housed in Old Botany breathed

life into the campaign. Her story emphasizes the power we

all have within us when passion and vision meet action.

Turning passion and vision into action. Those three

words define the purpose of the national Women and

Philanthropy Committee that I am honored to chair. The

talented and dedicated women who serve on the com-

mittee drive our mission. That mission focuses our work

on educating and encouraging women to become philan-

thropic leaders for Iowa State and their communities. What

we do hopefully encourages women to write their own

story, just as Sharon did and continues to do. Our com-

mittee’s core values focus on helping Iowa State University

become its best. We are charged with connecting and

inspiring women of all ages toward philanthropic ventures

by creating opportunities to develop and recognize women

as philanthropic leaders and role models.

One opportunity we’ve been busy planning is the 11th

annual Women & Philanthropy Workshop, “Creating Your

Philanthropic Story.” You’ll want to mark your calendar

for April 27, 2010, to attend this event that brings women

together in a meaningful way. You’ll receive the tools,

information and motivation to better enable you to write

your own story. I encourage you to attend and encourage

your friends to join you for this day filled with a faculty of

remarkable women, all whose purpose is to educate and

inspire you.

I also encourage you to share with us your ideas on how

the Women and Philanthropy Committee can better carry

on, with pride and purpose, our work and vision.

Go Cyclones,

Dee Reinhart Vandeventer ’71Chair, Women and Philanthropy Committee

Iowa State UnIverSIty FoUndatIon

2505 UnIverSIty BoUlevard

P.o. Box 2230

ameS, Iowa 50010-2230

inTHiSiSSuE � Sharon and Dick Rodine � Dee Vandeventer � Women and Philanthropy Committee � Mark Your Calendar:

2010 Women and Philanthropy Workshop

MARKYOuRCALEnDAR2010womenandPhilanthropyworkshop“CreatingYourPhilanthropicStory”Tuesday, April 27, 2010Scheman Building, Iowa State University

Presented by the Iowa State University Foundation Women and Philanthropy CommitteeAdditional information on this annual, daylong workshop available at www.foundation.iastate.edu/women