Elsa Iverson is the 2009 School of Social Work Spirit of Philanthropy award recipinet

April 22, 2009  - Elsa Maschmeyer Iverson was this year's recipient of the School of Social Work's Spirit of Philanthropy Award.

When the Indiana University School of Social Work decided to initiate a program to send social work students abroad in the late 1970s, Elsa Iverson was the faculty member who made this happen, the School wrote in recommending Iverson for the award.

Elsa Iverson with Chancellor Charles Bantz (left) and School of Social Work Dean Michael Patchner at the Spirit of Philanthropy Celebration

Elsa, who obtained her M.S.W. from the school in 1969 and joined the faculty in 1972, focused initially on Camden, England, a borough of Greater London. While the program started in London, it has not expanded and has helped students find field placements in at least 15 countries, including Argentina, Chile, Romania and Kenya.

During her 35-year career at the school, Elsa served as the director of field instruction and as a senior lecturer. She helped establish and raise funds for the Michael and Muriel Wallace International Scholarship, named after two colleagues with whom she worked in London. The fund assists students who might not otherwise be able to travel abroad.

Iverson was among honorees presented an award at the annual IUPUI Spirit of Philanthropy Celebration.

Elsa Iverson's daughter, Kirsten Felts looks over her mother's award

"This is a a group of people and institutions who have truly been transformative," IUPUI Chancellor Charles Bantz said at the philanthropy event. "Transformational donors are truly people who have the vision to not only meet the immediate needs, but to try and drive forward to solve long-terms problems," Bantz noted.