By: Samantha Riley, Bicentennial Intern, Class of 2020, French and Anthropology, IUPUI
Edited by: Bre Anne Briskey, Bicentennial Graduate Assistant
“We have courses for fun, self-help and some that might be job-related.”
–Marjorie Leamnson Stonehill[1]
Stonehill joined IUPUI in 1970 as the coordinator of continuing education in the school of continuing education and retired as associate dean.[2] Throughout her tenure at IUPUI, Stonehill worked to expand continuing education opportunities and assist adult students in their educational goals.
Early Life and Education
Marjorie Leamnson Stonehill was born on January 10, 1925 to Arthur and Gertrude Phillips.
A native Hoosier, Stonehill attended Butler University and received a bachelor of arts degree in journalism. She went on to attend IUPUI where she earned her master’s degree in education.[3]
Stonehill came to IUPUI as an instructor in 1970 as the coordinator of continuing education; she became the director of the school in 1973. [4]
Career
While director she also taught courses within the school and served on various campus committees including Frances Rhome’s affirmative action committee.[5]
During Stonehill’s early years, the school of continuing education offered both credit and non-credit courses for adults in the Indianapolis area, covering topics from flower arranging, foreign languages, and parent effectiveness training.[6] Most of the enrolled students were from middle class backgrounds and often came from specific parts of the city.
As director, Stonehill made an effort to reach demographics beyond the school’s existing student population. Under her leadership, the school increased its student enrollment and number of course offerings.[7] She facilitated the school’s efforts to increase diverse enrollment such as giving senior citizens and IUPUI faculty special discounts on courses.
With Stonehill’s direction, a course, “How to Study in College,” was geared towards college-bound high school students to help prepare them for college, and the school hosted numerous seminars for professionals, such as a professional development seminar for secretaries.[8]
Creating a Space for Women: Continuing Studies Center for Women
In addition to facilitating programs to diversify student enrollment in continuing studies, Stonehill made a concerted effort to create programming and resources for women. As coordinator, she oversaw conferences like Women, Higher Education, and Law, which discussed affirmative action and sex discrimination laws in regards to higher education.
She also oversaw seminars like Women and the World of Work.[9] Once she became director, Stonehill expanded her efforts and created the Center for Continuing Studies for Women, a precursor to the present day IUPUI Office for Women.
Stonehill appointed Maureen Prevost to run the center, which opened in 1975.[10] The center provided services and resources for women seeking continuing education, such as job placement, resume development, as well as classes, seminars, and workshops.[11] It was designed to be a welcoming environment for women who were considering returning to school or the workforce and were intimidated by the university atmosphere.[12]
Stonehill understood the value of having women in positions of authority, especially in her own career, “I have never objected to being a ‘token woman’ because I’ve considered that as an opportunity to make it easier for the next woman to be chosen because of herself and not just because they need a woman.”[13]
Contributions
In addition to serving as a professor and director of the school of continuing studies, Stonehill frequently engaged with her community, focusing her interest in continuing education for women; for instance, she spoke at several meetings, such as the Indianapolis Council of Women, on this subject.[14]
She worked as a co-publisher of the Zionsville Times Newspaper and published a weekly column, “A Woman’s View.” She also wrote several letters to the editor that were published in the Indianapolis Star.[15] In addition to this, Stonehill served in the Woman’s Press Club of Indiana as chairman and oversaw scholarships.[16]
In honor of her contributions to a variety of communities, Stonehill received numerous awards. In 1981, the Network of Women in Business awarded her the Business Woman of the Year and two years later she received the Adult Education Association’s Distinguished Service Award and was recognized by the Indiana Council of Continuing Education for her dedication to ensuring continuing education in Indiana. The Society of Retired Executives awarded Stonehill the Frederick R. Hadley Service Award in 1988. [17]
Legacy
Stonehill was eventually promoted to associate dean, and later assistant dean, of IU’s school of continuing studies, but still stayed on at the IUPUI school of continuing education as its director.[18]
She remained in her position as director until her retirement in 1983. She passed away on January 22, 2007.[19]
Stonehill’s dedication to continuing education is still visible today with the IUPUI Center for Women (formerly the Continuing Studies Center for Women) and the IUPUI Division of General Studies in Liberal Arts, formerly the school of continuing studies.[20]
Bibliography
- “Council to meet,” The Indianapolis Star, 23 October 1982, pg. 16.
- Division of Continuing Education. (1974). New Courses and Programs. (UA032, Box 4). Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana.
- IUPUI Continuing Education. (1975). Center for Women [brochure]. IUPUI School of Continuing Education Records. (UA032, Box 7). Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana.
- “IUPUI School of Continuing Studies,” IUPUI Campus Bulletin 2012-2014, accessed 20 May 2020.
- Lamm, Jean. (1977, January 30). A new direction in middle-age encouraged by university dean. The Indianapolis Star, 2.
- Kreuscher, Jan. “Center for women opens its new doors.” The Indianapolis News, 19 September 1975, pg. 12.
- Leamnson, Marjorie. (1972, July 11). Correspondence from Marjorie Leamnson to Sylvia Bowman. (UA032, Box 2). Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Leamnson, Marjorie. (1974). Annual Report 1973-1974. (UA032, Box 4). Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana.
- “Marjorie L. Stonehill Obituary.” The Indianapolis Star, 25 January 2007. URL: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/indystar/obituary.aspx?n=marjorie-l-stonehill&pid=144770966
- “Marjorie Leamnson Stonehill,” IUPUI Office for Women, Accessed 20 May 2020.
- McCarty, Suzanne. “Many Yearn, Then Learn.” The Indianapolis News, 12 September 1980, pg. 2.
- “Press Club Scholarships,” Tipton County Tribune, 24 March 1988, pg. 3.
- Stonehill, Marjorie Leamnson. (1976). Summary of Activities, Division of Continuing Education, Indiana University- Purdue University at Indianapolis. (UA032, Box 4). Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Notes
[1] Suzanne McCarty, “Many Yearn, Then Learn,” The Indianapolis News, 12 September 1980, pg. 2.
[2] Jean Lamm, “A new direction in middle-age encouraged by university dean,” The Indianapolis Star, 30 January 1977, pg. 2.
[3] “Marjorie L. Stonehill Obituary,” The Indianapolis Star, 25 January 2007. URL: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/indystar/obituary.aspx?n=marjorie-l-stonehill&pid=144770966.
[4] “Marjorie Leamnson Stonehill,” IUPUI Office for Women, Accessed 20 May 2020.
[5] Marjorie Leamnson Stonehill, (1976). Summary of Activities, Division of Continuing Education, Indiana University- Purdue University at Indianapolis, (UA032, Box 4), Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana.
[6] Division of Continuing Education, (1974). New Courses and Programs. (UA032, Box 4). Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana.
[7] Stonehill, Summary
[8] Marjorie Leamnson, (1974). Annual Report 1973-1974. (UA032, Box 4). Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana.
[9] Marjorie Leamnson (1972, July 11). Correspondence from Marjorie Leamnson to Sylvia Bowman. (UA032, Box 2). Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana.
[10] Jan Kreuscher, “Center for women opens its new doors,” The Indianapolis News, 19 September 1975, pg. 12.
[11] IUPUI Continuing Education. (1975). Center for Women [brochure]. IUPUI School of Continuing Education Records. (UA032, Box 7). Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana.
[12] Kreuscher, Center
[13] Lamm, A new direction
[14] “Council to meet,” The Indianapolis Star, 23 October 1982, pg. 16.
[15] “Marjorie L. Stonehill Obituary,” The Indianapolis Star, 25 January 2007. URL: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/indystar/obituary.aspx?n=marjorie-l-stonehill&pid=144770966.
[16] “Press Club Scholarships,” Tipton County Tribune, 24 March 1988, pg. 3.
[17] “IUPUI School of Continuing Studies,” IUPUI Campus Bulletin 2012-2014, accessed 20 May 2020.
[18] Ibid.
[19] “Marjorie L. Stonehill Obituary,” The Indianapolis Star, 25 January 2007. URL: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/indystar/obituary.aspx?n=marjorie-l-stonehill&pid=144770966.
[20] “IUPUI School of Continuing Studies,” IUPUI Campus Bulletin 2012-2014, accessed 20 May 2020.