The University of Iowa Eight Over 80 Award

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.