Kathy R. Connor

I can't begin to express what an honor it is to dedicate this very important brick to my special heroine and mother, Kathy R. Connor. Kathy R. Connor was born Kathy Rae Cervine to Kenneth & Ruth Cervine of Fort Dodge, Iowa, on August 7, 1942. She attended Fort Dodge Junior College in 1962 and married her husband Glenn Connor in 1963.

Kathy went on to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Iowa State University in 1967 and taught 5th and 6th grades in the Ames Community Schools until my birth in 1969. By 1972 aside from the time consuming task of caring for a young toddler Kathy continued on and received her well earned Master of Science degree in Education from Iowa State University. In 1973 Kathy began what I consider to be a brilliant career as Director of Student Teaching & Instructor for the Elementary Education department at Iowa State University. During her many years at ISU she has inspired and educated many of our wonderful teachers who are out there now educating children and enriching their futures. In addition she has worked endlessly on dozens of insightful papers and presentations that have received high praise at various national education conferences; not to mention the great privilege of having multiple publications in a wide variety of well respected educational and teacher journals. Finally Kathy has further shown her great dedication to Iowa State University by serving on a large number of ISU committees and panels that have helped give her a broader understanding of the university; and the students themselves.

Beyond Kathy's rich and accomplished career at Iowa State University she has also been very active in the Ames community. In addition to her many hours of classroom volunteer work she has also spent time supporting the arts and diversity in Ames not to mention her efforts dedicated to her church (Bethesda Lutheran). Most importantly Kathy has touched many many lives in Ames and at ISU and can be truly appreciated for her great sense of humor and positive outlook on life.

This brick is dedicated to her as a true heroine who has worked extremely hard and given so much to so many. She is my inspiration and an inspiration to all women and men who dedicate their lives to giving more than they take. ~Anthony G. Connor.

 09/2003