Awards
- IU Indianapolis Spirit of Philanthropy Award - 2009
About Elizabeth I. Hogan
Elizabeth Hogan has been associated with the campus since 1954. First hired to work in the office at the IU Extension Center in 1954, she began taking classes in 1955, ultimately continuing her course work well beyond her first degree. Even after her 1993 retirement, she’s enrolled in at least one course every semester. A 15-page academic transcript includes bachelor and master’s degrees and continuing post-graduate studies completed over nearly 60 years. As a lifelong student, she has taken at least one course nearly every semester since 1954. Over the years, she has served the campus as a staff person, teacher, advisor, and very good friend, earning her first degree in 1969, just after IUPUI was born.
During her long history with IUPUI, Elizabeth has watched and contributed to its growth. She was honored with a 2009 IUPUI Spirit of Philanthropy Award from the IUPUI School of Liberal Arts for her role in helping establish the Sam Masarachia Scholars Program. In 2000, while working as a volunteer at the Southeast Senior Center, Mrs. Hogan befriended the World War II veteran and local senior and community activist. She arranged a meeting for Sam with Professor James Wallihan who made the connection between Sam’s hopes for his legacy and the School of Liberal Arts. The resulting scholarship today provides four years of full tuition for up to 12 students studying community activism, labor relations, and senior citizen issues. A recognition that she treasures even more, she says, is the John A. Whitesel Professional Staff Award, which she received from IUPUI students in 1992. The red-haired woman with the easy smile and soft voice illustrates that the passage of time hasn’t eroded the dedication to friends, family, and community
She has been a member of the Masarachia Scholarship Advisory Board since the program’s inception, her gentle guidance is invaluable. She also devotes her time to other philanthropic pursuits, volunteering at nursing homes, tutoring elementary school students, assisting seniors with various tasks, and serving as a crisis intervention counselor. A tireless community volunteer and lifelong cheerleader for IUPUI, Elizabeth Hogan epitomizes the spirit of philanthropy.