Inspire, Summer 2009

CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY 27 Miss Dodson was very kind and encouraging to me, and we actually corresponded until a year or so before her death. Her children’s literature course was my favorite education class and inspired me to become a librarian. — Lynn Johnson ’77 I remember her gentle manner, quiet patience, overwhelming energy, and listening ear. Her lasting tribute is that those she taught have never forgotten her. Her memory continues to encourage and inspire generations to serve with excellence. — Jeanne (Risko) Spencer ’69 remembering irma dodson I was shocked when I got the e-mail saying I had received the Irma M. Dodson Award. I read it several times to be sure it was real! This award didn’t just boost my confidence: it showed me that God really provides for my needs and wants me to be at Cedarville. I want to be the kind of teacher who gets to know students on a personal level. If you ask them about their lives and their family, they know you care. I do care, and I want my students to enjoy school and succeed. — Katie Didik ’10 Early Childhood Education Portersville, Pennsylvania Read more of Katie’s story at www.cedarville.edu/advancement . If you would like to contribute to the Irma M. Dodson Award or learn of other giving opportunities, visit www.cedarville.edu/giving or call 1-800-766-1115. Long after she retired, principals would inquire about Irma. They knew and respected her. She was one who made Cedarville what it is today. — Dr. Dwayne Frank ’60, Professor of Education advanc ing Cedarv i l le Even into her 90s, she remembered students who had graduated 35 or more years before and would ask about them by name! She always shared her memories of Cedarville and mentioned how grateful she was to teach in such a special place. She truly loved her students. Miss Dodson never had children of her own, but she was a mother to many. — Robert Pereira ’69 To read more memories of Irma, visit www.cedarville.edu/advancement. Her “teachable moments” were not limited to her classroom. Her faithful walk with the Lord was consistently evidenced in her life as she invested in the lives of others. — Judy (Erickson) Waddell ’78 Recently, I came across some old college memorabilia. In the box were my Zaner-Bloser handwriting papers and Miss Dodson’s required children’s literature cards. I was amazed at how many books I read in my college class that I still use with my students today. — Mary (Pruden) Harrison ’76