Janice Ann (Van Zomeren) Beran

Honored by George and Jan Beran

In 1995, Jan Beran received the Iowa League of Women Voters Carrie Chapman Catt Award. Long a protege' of Carrie Chapman Catt, Jan has frequently portrayed the commitment of Mrs. Catt in the face of great obstacles in convincing the nation to grant suffrage to women. Jan gave leadership in the efforts of the League of Women Voters to urge Iowa State University to name the Carrie Chapman Catt Hall.

As a member of the Board of Directors for the League of Women Voters, she works. She is of Iowa, she assisted President Abbi Swanson in the fundraising for the Catt Plaza of Heroines Centerpiece, recognizing Carrie Chapman Catt as the founder of the League of Women Voters in 1920. Jan serves as resident of the Iowa League of Women Voters 1995-1997.

Janice was born May 26, 1931 in rural Mahaska County, Iowa. From early girlhood she followed her parents' deep Christian commitment to honesty, ethical living, and social betterment. She developed leadership skills through the 4-H club and church youth groups. During her high school years at Pella High School and Central College, from which she graduated in 1953, she was a campus leader, active in intramural sports, student government, student newspaper and church-related activities.

Following graduation, Jan's first job was at Welch Junior High School in Ames, where on her first Sunday she became acquainted at Collegiate Presbyterian Church with George Beran, who was then a senior in Veterinary Medicine. They were married in 1954 and are the happy and proud parents of three children: Bruce, Anne and George Stuart.

George and Jan's careers have been almost equally divided between work outside and within the United States. For thirteen years they served the Presbyterian church as educational missionaries in the Philippines; for nearly one year as Fulbright Visiting Professors in Nigeria, and later as Exchange professor to Taiwan National Normal College as visiting professor to People's Republic of China; and short term assignments for George with the World Health Organization in 24 different countries.

In 1973 the family returned to Ames where George is Distinguished Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology at Iowa State University. Jan earned a Ph.D. in History Comparative and Philosophy of Education in 1976, and taught History of Physical Education and Sport International Comparative Physical Education & Technology and Social Change from 1976-1992.

During her years at Iowa State, Jan was honored with several awards, including the Faculty Citation and the Student Affairs Human Relations Award. She also received many professional association awards. She was an active researcher, publishing many articles in professional journals and authored two successful books--Physical Activities for the Filipina and From Six on Six to Full Court Press: A Century of Girls Basketball.

During her years in Ames, Jan has been a youth group leader, Sunday School teacher, elder and deacon in the Presbyterian Church; President of the Ames Chapter of the United Nations Association; President of the Iowa-Yucatan (Mexico) Partners of the Americas; member of the National Board of the Partners of the Americas; President of the Iowa Association for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance, and has held many other leadership positions in professional organizations. She served as President of the Board of Directors of Heartland Senior Services (Ames) 1993-95.

Jan and George have been foster parents to 28 children in need and commonly have children, grandchildren, or guests in their home. She enjoys cycling, dancing, cross-country skiing, gardening and camping.

7/1/96

Paver Inscription:

"Womn of our family:
Elizabeth Rosalie Beran
Avis Elizabeth Van Zomeren
Janice Ann Van Zomeren Beran
Ann Elizabeth Beran Stark
Teran Elizabeth Stark
Katherine Elizabeth Stark
Dolores Hall Beran
Jennifer Holtorf Beran
Abigail Elizabeth Beran"

Honored by four of her colleagues and friends

Janice A. Beran, Adjunct Professor, Emerita, Department of Health and Human Performance, Iowa State University, is a native Iowan who received her B.A. in 1953 from Central College, her M.S. in 1970 from Drake University, and her Ph.D. in 1976 from Iowa State University.

Dr. Beran has contributed significantly to international awareness among students at Iowa State and abroad. For many years she was a leader in the annual Institute for National Affairs program at ISU. She was a Fulbright exchange professor in Nigeria and an exchange professor in Taiwan as well. She has made several trips to Yucatan with the Partners of the Americas program and has served that organization in many capacities, including President.

Her long list of honors include: the Partners Volunteer of the Year Award; the Distinguished Alumni Award from Central College; the first Distinguished Scholar Award from the Central District of the American Alliance for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance; the ISU Human Relations Award; the ISU Faculty Citation and many others.

A physical education history scholar, Jan Beran made history come alive for scores of Iowa State students. She has made numerous presentations in Iowa, nationally, and internationally. She has published extensively, and one of her books covering the history of women's basketball in Iowa was published in 1993.

Since her retirement in 1992, she has been involved in many volunteer service activities and has served as president of the Heartland Senior Services Board and the League of Women Voters. A loving wife, mother, and grandmother, talented square dancer, gifted athlete, distinguished historian, prolific author, gracious, inspiring teacher, willing volunteer, and caring friend, Jan Beran is very deserving of having a place in the Plaza of Heroines. She is indeed a remarkable woman!

7/1/96