M. “Evelyn” Swartz
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Private services and inurnment are planned for Evelyn Swartz, 85, who died at her home on Thursday, March 8, 2012. Inurnment will be in Pioneer Cemetery on the Kansas University campus.
Ms. Swartz was born October 26, 1926 in St. Joseph, Missouri to Charles E. and Myrtle Ann Swartz. She moved to Lawrence in 1962.
Ms. Swartz joined the KU School of Education faculty in 1967 after serving as an elementary classroom teacher in the U.S., Panama and Morocco and as an elementary supervisor in St. Joseph, Missouri. She received her bachelor’s degree from Park College, her master’s from Northwest Missouri State and her Ed. D. from KU. She began her professional experience at KU in 1962 when she became an Assistant Instructor. After receiving her doctorate, she remained in the School of Education, serving on the faculty and progressing to Professor in 1971, retiring in 1990.
Ms. Swartz was named an Outstanding Educator of America in 1972, 1973 and 1974; recognized in 1975 by the University of Kansas Mortarboard Society as Outstanding Educator; nominated for the HOPE award several times and one of five finalists in 1989; elected to the University of Kansas Women’s Hall of Fame in 1979; and received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence for Meritorious Service to the University in 1988 and for Excellence in Teaching in 1990. In addition, she had an outstanding record of service to University governance, serving on numerous committees. She served as chair on many of these, including the Memorial Corporation Board, president of the University Council and twice as chair of the Senate Executive Committee. In retirement, she continued to serve the retired faculty as president of the KU retiree’s Club, now the Endacott Society.
She is survived by five nephews and their families.
Ev and I were graduated from Central High School in St. Joseph, Mo. We relished that connection, although she was in the class of 1944, and I was in the class of 1954. Needless to say, she was in a class of her own, and all of us will miss her.
I knew “Ev” when I was a secretary in the Dean’s office in the 70’s. I doubt that she ever knew what a role model she was to me. Feisty and self assured, I always found her to be warm and friendly to a young woman working her way through college to be a teacher. Condolences to you in your loss. She was quite a lady.
It was with great pleasure that I attended KU’s School of Education and graduated from there in 1973. Besides having a fantastic faculty in the School of Education, KU had Evelyn Swartz….I took Early Primary Education classes from her, as well as others. She was one of two professors that I ALWAYS visited upon returning home to Lawrence, as she made a significant impact on my chosen field of elementary education. What a fine supportive individual. My deeepest sympathy to the family and to the School of Education at KU.
Dr. Swartz was a wonderful lady. She was my advisor and instructor when I got my Master’s Degree at K.U. She was one of a kind! I will always be thankful for all that she did to he me.
Evelyn was a friend and memorable colleague. I became acquainted with her while we served on KU governance and University committees. She will be remembered for her intelligence, integrity, candor, and assertiveness. She will be greatly missed and live in our memories.
Aunt Evelyn
I truly want to send my condolences to the family of Dr. Swartz. I can truly say she was most instrumental in shaping my career and life. She was truly a mentor to me and I will never forget her kindness and wisdon as she guided me through KU. I was a struggling KU football player looking for a direction. I will truly miss her but will always have her memory and will never forget her and her influence on me. It has greatly inflenced how I have interacted and helped others. It has been important to me to pass on her teachings and perspectives on to others. She was able to touch so many in a positive manner. With love and admiration
“Aunt Ev” was introduced to me in the UK and she later visited France with her late friend Phyllis. Now settled with my family in Paris, I remember her fondly as a wonderful and cultured lady who brightened my student years. My deepest sympathy to the family.
Dr Swartz was my advisor while at KU. She was kind, intelligent and quite comical. She did more in shaping my future in education than anyone else at KU. I just found out about her passing today and I am so sorry I never got to tell her how I felt about her direction in my life.