University High School Innovative Developments in Education Award
University of Iowa Foundation for the U-High IDEA Fund (30-350-089)

Scholarship program encouraging experimentation and innovation in education.

For more information, contact:
University of Iowa Foundation
P.O. Box 4550
Iowa City, Iowa 52244-9809
1-800-IOWALUM   1-800-648-6973.
e-mail: uiowa-foundation@uiowa.edu
http://www.uiowa.edu/~uifdn/
 

Text of a letter from Dr. John Haefner describing the program:

Dear U-High Graduate:

Kerry Gjerstad and Sarah Mesle would have enjoyed teaching at
University High School.

Both completed student teaching assignments this spring arranged
through the University of Iowa College of Education.  And both are
recipients of this year's first-ever University High Innovative
Developments in Education Award (U-High IDEA Fund).

Kerry taught Spanish II and III at West Liberty High School, and Sarah
taught ninth grade language arts, AP English, and Reading Workshop at
Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids.  Kerry and Sarah's creative
teaching techniques and ease with students are just two of the qualities
that remind me of days at U-High, where classroom creativity, rigorous
academics, and meaningful extracurricular activities provided the very
best education possible.

The U-High IDEA Fund was started as an outgrowth of the 1992
All-School Reunion, which was held on the 20th anniversary of the closing
of the school.  Alumni and faculty chipped in to start an endowment fund
to keep alive the spirit of the school--to guarantee that experimentation
and innovation in education would continue to be fostered.  The
endowment has grown enough to allow us to begin making awards this
year.  Kerry and Sarah have received the encouragement and recognition
they deserve for the vitality and freshness they will bring to education
throughout their careers.

I know my feelings for the school are shared by alumni like you--I see it
among the alumni who have attended U-High reunions.  Now we have a
chance to strengthen the bonds among graduates and former teachers and
help ensure the scholarships are awarded for years to come.  Please make
a generous contribution so that this spirit of our school, which has meant
so much to all of us, can be shared with many others.

Nominations for this award are made by the cooperating teachers
supervising UI education students in their student teaching.  With your
support, this award will influence the way teachers look at what is
possible, and through this award the spirit of U-High will live on as well.

Except for a few years in the Naval Reserve, I was affiliated with the
school from 1936 until it closed in 1972, first as an instructor and later
as head of the Social Studies Department.  It seems obvious to me that
the techniques, creativity, and styles (and lasting impact) of U-High
could be implemented with success in today's classrooms--especially with
more teachers like Kerry and Sarah.

Many U-High graduates are eager to see this U-High IDEA Fund not only
survive, but flourish.  Please extend your commitment to the school and
make a gift to the U-High IDEA Fund today.  Your support, along with
recipient nominations from coordinating teachers, can make an impact on
the student teaching experience.

Gifts of $100 or more will qualify you for special recognition through the
College of Education.  Gifts of $1,000 or more will qualify you for
membership in the Dean's Club, the college's highest honor club for
generous contributors.  By spreading your pledge over three years, a
few dollars a month can add up to a significant gift that will help ensure
the scholarship fund will be available for student teachers who follow
Kerry and Sarah.

The scholarships will be awarded each spring and recipients will be
announced in Perspectives, the College of Education newsletter, which is
sent to alumni and contributors.  Please make a gift today, and watch our
U-High ideals live on in future generations.  Thank you!

Sincerely,

John Haefner

P.S.  We are searching for "lost" alumni and faculty so we can add their
names to a mailing list for reunion information and other U-High updates.
If you have stayed in touch with former classmates or faculty members,
please include names and addresses when you send your gift in the
enclosed envelope.  Thank you!