Donors

The ICCSD Foundation is fortunate to have many generous donors. These stories are just a few wonderful examples of how individuals and businesses have made a difference in the schools and in the lives of our students.

• Ann and Dick Feddersen - Friends of Education
• Mary and Gordon Mixdorf - Friends of Education
• Dottie Ray - Friend of Education
• Samuel L. Becker - Excellence Fund & Elizabeth Tate High School Media Center
• Toyota- Scion of Iowa City/ ABRA Autobody - Friends of Education
• Linda and Doug Paul - Music Mentoring Program
• University of Iowa Community Credit Union - School of the Wild & Field Trip Transportation

Ann and Dick Feddersen - Friends of Education 2010

Together Ann and Dick have financially supported the local public schools through the ICCSD Foundation for many years.  They have contributed to the City High Auditorium campaign, the Family Concert Series, various scholarships, the ICCSD Foundation’s endowment and the Excellence Fund and are credited with making one of the lead gifts to the Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Campaign.

“There is absolutely nothing more important to a community than its schools. The best avenue a private person can use to make a difference in the schools is through the Foundation.”

Mary and Gordon Mixdorf - Friends of Education 2010

Mary and Gordon were both teachers in the Iowa City School District. Even in retirement they continue to be involved in education.  Mary has been a regular classroom volunteer, working in the English as a Second Language program and elementary literacy programs.  Gordon spent many years after retirement working in the West High Learning center assisting struggling students. He currently tutors University of Iowa athletes in rhetoric and writing and enjoys attending Hawkeye games whenever he can.  Together they have financially supported playground and athletic campaigns in the district. They have been generous annual donors to the Excellence Fund and founding members of the Superintendent’s Circle.

"Giving to the Foundation is our way of showing continued support for our schools. Supporting schools through the Foundation is like frosting on a good cake!”

Dottie Ray - Friend of Education 2009
Click here to watch Dottie Ray's video interview.

Dr. Samuel L. Becker - Friend of Education 2009
Click here to watch Dr. Becker's video interview.

Dr. Becker believes in public education.  He has been donating to the Iowa City public schools through the Foundation since 2005.  He contributed over $1,000 to the Elizabeth Tate High School for the school’s library.  He made this gift after he attended a political meeting in the school’s library.  At the meeting he noticed that while the library had some books, it could definitely use some more.  In 1982 Dr. Becker was awarded the University of Iowa Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Communication Studies and continues to hold that title.

“I support the Iowa City Community School District Foundation because of the importance of an outstanding school system to the future of Iowa City.  It attracts and holds faculty members with children at the University of Iowa and attracts and holds other professionals in the city.  I gave to Tate High School’s library because they did not seem to have many books, despite the fact that a first class library is critical for any school to be outstanding.”

Toyota-Scion of Iowa City/ABRA Autobody -
Friend of Education 2009
Superintendent Lane Plugge and business co-owner Jim Dreusicke, who received the award on behalf of Toyota-Scion of Iowa City.
Click here to watch Jim and Mark Dreusicke's video interview.

Business partnerships are an important element of private support for the school district. Mark and Jim Dreusicke of Toyota of Iowa City have provided funds for the purchase of a computer tool scan and a transmission flush machine for the district's automotive classes. They have also continued to support the schools through their gifts to the Excellence Fund

"We are always looking at ways to invest in our community, especially youth oriented opportunities. The Foundation's campaign was a great fit for us. School district staff were very helpful in suggesting 'wish list' items. We decided to focus on the automotive technology program that draws students from City and West High Schools . We are very excited to be supporting the automotive technology students."

Doug and Linda Paul

Linda and Doug Paul contributed to the 25th Anniversary Campaign with a donation in support of a new music mentoring program. In this program, high school music students supervise younger music students in need of extra support. These are students who do not have access to costly private lessons or perhaps do not have adequate support at home. The goal of the program is to help children improve and advance so that they can continue to participate in the wonderful music programs in our district.

"Giving children a chance to learn to play a musical instrument is one of the best gifts we can think of. Students acquire skills and discipline which can help them do better in their academic subjects. The most important thing, though, is that is opens the door to the world of music - a gift they can treasure their whole lives."

Jeff Disterhoft, CEO University of Iowa Community Credit Union

The University of Iowa Community Credit Union has been an outstanding annual supporter of the school district through a variety of programs including Student of the Arts, the 5th and 6th grade track meet, School of the Wild, and Week of Welcome to name just a few. In response to the 25th Anniversary Campaign the UICCU has increased their commitment with a substantial pledge in support of School of the Wild as well as field trip transportation for students in need.

"The Credit Union has much in common with the ICCSD Foundation, in that we both take tremendous pride in enhancing the quality of the communities we serve. Our support of the School of the Wild represents an extension of that commitment, and one that we're so pleased to be a part of as we build upon a student's understanding of the world around them for generations to come."

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