The University of Iowa Eight Over 80 Award


Elizabeth Clothier (74BA, 94MA)

A teacher in the Iowa City Community School District for 28 years, Elizabeth Clothier used her experience as a United Kingdom native becoming a U.S. citizen to teach third-grade classes about citizenship.

For Clothier, service learning was a major focus in the classroom—whether it was assembling book kits for families of newborns through the Books for Babies program or baking and delivering bread through the Iowa City Free Lunch Program. Her volunteerism extended beyond the classroom through organizations such as the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, the University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art, and mentorship of elementary student teachers through the UI College of Education.

Since retiring from the classroom in 2002, Clothier has continued to give back to her community through her volunteerism. She’s been an integral member of the Iowa City Free Lunch Program, and she also delivers meals through Meals on Wheels to individuals at home who are unable to purchase or prepare their own meals. Clothier also works with the Compeer Program, which matches community volunteers with adults receiving mental health treatment to develop structured friendships and combat loneliness and isolation.

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The former AIB College of Business continues to promote a legacy of generosity by dedicating resources to support high-quality educational opportunities. Nancy Williams, her grandfather, Everett Fenton, and her father, Keith Fenton, each served subsequent terms as president of AIB dating to its founding in 1921. Under their family's leadership, they each brought their shared vision of providing access to college education to fruition. The AIB College of Business Scholarship Program, made possible through their remarkable philanthropic support, has enhanced the lives of numerous students throughout their educational journeys. As Cora Abbas, an AIB College of Business scholar from Iowa City notes, “the AIB Scholarship allows me to focus on my schoolwork and develop meaningful connections with peers and professionals. By being able to serve as the director of media for Iowa Interactive Investments and participating in the Hawkinson Institute of Finance, I have gained valuable insight into the investment banking industry, which has reinforced my decision to pursue a career in banking.” These awards, made possible by the Williams-Fenton family, encourage business students to achieve their goals and make the most of their Iowa experiences. About AIB The former AIB College of Business launched the careers of more than 50,000 alumni during its 95-year history. Founded in 1921, the college offered diplomas, associate degrees, and Bachelor of Science degrees, primarily in the fields of accounting, business administration, and court reporting. In 2015, AIB's Board of Trustees entered an agreement with the University of Iowa to donate its 20-acre campus for use by the UI. The university eventually sold the campus property in 2019. Proceeds from the sale created the AIB College of Business Scholarship Fund, which provides renewable $1,000 scholarship awards to qualified UI students.

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