Posted: Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Irma Jean Rodgers’ career was spent teaching in Evansville – at Emma Roach Elementary (now Cedar Hall) and Central High School. She was a lifetime member of the National Education Association and a member of the Indiana and Evansville Retired Teacher Associations. Rodgers’ love for education lives on following her death through a gift of approximately $3 million to the University of Evansville. 

Rodgers’ bequest will be added to an already generous endowment in memory of her parents, Lettie and Clarence G. Rodgers, and her sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Charles A. Weber.

“Irma Jean’s generosity will allow the University to offer additional scholarships to Tri-State students who have financial need,” said John C. Barner, UE vice president for development and alumni and parent relations. “The entire family was committed to assisting bright local students with the opportunity to experience the impact of a UE education. The new gift will provide approximately $150,000 annually in additional scholarship support.”
 

“We’re incredibly thankful to Irma Jean and the rest of the Rodgers and Weber families for their generous support of the University,” said UE President Thomas A. Kazee. “Their investment benefits the entire community as their scholarships are specifically designated for Tri-State students who need assistance. Clarence Rodgers was remembered as having great compassion for the ‘underdog’ and constantly assisting people in financial need. That legacy carried on through his daughters, and the young people of the Evansville area are the beneficiaries of that.”
 

Rodgers died February 8, 2013. Her gift to the University will allow for additional scholarships beginning in the fall semester this year.
 

For information about establishing a legacy of your own at University of Evansville, contact the office of development at (812) 488-2586 or e-mail development@evansville.edu. 

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