Onyx Spring-Summer 2019

Top left: Composite photo of Pamela Hodapp Hollenbeck , Class of 1968 Center: Pamela Hodapp Hollenbeck '68 with her granddaughter. Right: Catherine Larson, an SMWC junior from Highland, Indiana, with Paul Hollenbeck after receiving the first Pamela Hodapp Hollenbeck 1968 Endowed Scholarship.

set her free to make a difference in the lives of so many,” Paul said. Pam arrived as a freshman with qualities that included intellectual curiosity, a love of life, and an unmatched kindness of soul. SMWC enriched her gifts of eloquence and spirit as she evolved into an impactful model and passionate voice for women’s rights, environmental protection, peace, and social justice. Her obituary describes how she expressed her love for The Woods at the end. “In her last days on earth, Pam slipped her SMWC class ring on her finger, affirming how much she cherished the memories and friendships made during those years.” Through this scholarship, Pam’s spark continues to burn bright. In Larson’s words, “The benefit of the Hollenbeck Scholarship for me was motivation and inspiration. I was inspired to do more activities with the Peace and Justice Committee and share more love and peace around my community.”

from Miami University. Her professional life took her inside schools, organizations and hospitals yet she remained rooted in art and education. Inside her high school classroom, students were taught to see the big picture and consider connections. “As I move through the world without her, I am so aware of how Mom listened to children,” Sarah said. “Whether it was her own grandchildren or students in one of the many classrooms she visited as a teaching artist or storyteller, I never saw her get frustrated or give up on a kid. She understood that how we treat our children is how we build the future we want to see in the world. I think she knew this her whole life, as an older sister caring for her siblings, as a student at SMWC, and onward.” Pam was born in Syracuse, New York in 1946. She passed away on March 23, 2018 and shortly after, the scholarship was established as a tribute to her distinct qualities and a lasting connection to her beloved alma mater. “She so loved her SMWC years, the aura of the place, her lasting friendships made, but maybe most importantly she found a sense of independence and confidence of self that

Interested in establishing a scholarship for SMWC students? Contact the Office of Advancement at 812-535-5270 or email advancement@smwc.edu.

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