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.

• Besty Boyd and Bill Nusser - Friends of Education
• Victoria and Steve West - Friends of Education
• Integrated DNA Technologies - Friends of Education
• Neumann Monson Architects - Friends of Education
• 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

Betsy Boyd and Bill Nusser - Friends of Education 2011

Both Bill and Betsy were educated in the Iowa City schools and have terrific memories not only of their classroom experiences but in maintaining friendships with classmates and teachers/administrators!  They often remark that they were more than adequately prepared for college as a result of their K–12 education. Bill and Betsy also believe that the high quality of life they enjoy is directly linked to their experience growing up in the Iowa City schools. 

Victoria and Steve West - Friends of Education 2011

Growing up in Iowa City, Steve has first-hand knowledge of the importance of quality education provided by the Iowa City Community School District. Steve is a distinguished Alumni of City High School and together, as members of the Superintendent’s Circle, Victoria and Steve West have been active supporters of the ICCSD Foundation for many years. 

Victoria was a teacher at Horace Mann and served in various PSTO and DPO positions. They raised their 3 children in the school district and together, Steve and Victoria have served as board members and co-chairmen of the Music Auxiliary in addition to sponsoring The Symphony goes to School through the Foundation.

As owners of West Music and in developing of its mission to “enrich people’s lives through music” Steve and Victoria’s commitment to supporting local educators and students is visible throughout the ICCSD. In addition, West Music has been an exceptional supporter of education since its founding in 1941. 

Integrated DNA Technologies - Friends of Education 2011

Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) is the largest supplier of custom nucleic acids in the United States, serving academic, government, and commercial researchers in biotechnology, clinical diagnostics, and pharmaceutical development. IDT’s primary business is the manufacture of custom, synthetic DNA and RNA oligonucleotides. Today, IDT synthesizes and ships an average of 36,000 custom oligos per day to more than 86,000 customers worldwide.

Founded in Coralville in 1987 by Dr. Joseph Walder, IDT has grown to encompass operations in Iowa, California, Illinois, Belgium, Scotland, and Germany. IDT was named #6 in the “Best Places to Work” survey by The Scientist magazine.

IDT has a strong commitment to excellence in STEM education for elementary and secondary students in the Iowa City area. IDT has been a donor to the Iowa City Community School District Foundation since 2006, and has been a generous supporter of the Project Lead the Way program.

Neumann Monson Architects - Friends of Education 2011

For over 30 years, Neumann Monson has merged talent, innovation, and expertise to create enduing architectural solutions. Founded as a four person firm in Iowa City in 1977, Neumann Monson Architects has grown into a thriving firm with offices in Iowa City, Des Moines, and Sioux City. Neumann Monson is at the forefront of sustainable architecture and is committed to environmentally positive designs.

Neumann Monson is Architects also committed to giving back to the communities in which it and its employees live. Neumann Monson is a strong supporter of a long list of community organizations – and its employees are regular participants in philanthropic efforts. In Iowa City, is it rare to attend any fundraiser or community event without running into someone from Neumann Monson!

Neumann Monson has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Iowa City Community School District Foundation since 1998, and has been a loyal sponsor of the Education is Everybody’s Business breakfast. They have been generous givers to the Excellence Fund (as members of the Superintendent’s Circle of givers) and to special programs, such as Project Lead the Way.

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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