During the commencement ceremony on May 5, 2018, President Dottie L. King, Ph.D., presented the Distinguished Alumni Award to Dorothy Weinz Jerse ’75.
Jerse graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) at the age of 49. Her degree concentrated primarily on American history and communication. She found SMWC’s Women’s External Degree (WED)* program to be a perfect fit for her. When she began investigating the program, she was a mother of four with two children still living at home, working part-time and also volunteering in the community. She needed a program that would fit into her already busy schedule. In 1975, all of her hard work paid off, and the next year she fulfilled her dream of becoming a business owner. Jerse also served as the curator of the Vigo County Historical Society, with responsibility for the Historical Museum and the Paul Dresser Birthplace. She was asked to coauthor a local history book in 1983, the first of seven local history books she would author or co-author during her career.
After eight years with the Historical Society, Jerse was named executive director of the Terre Haute YWCA. Her writing and oral presentation skills were used to help raise $1.9 million for building expansions. When she officially retired in 1990, she continued freelance writing, and throughout her career has conducted nearly 2,000 interviews. In all of this, she has been a strong leader in the fight for racial justice and an advocate for women.
Always one to volunteer her time and talent, Jerse has served various organizations including Girl Scouts, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Wabash Valley Community Foundation and more. She has served as a board member for Business & Professional Women’s Club, Community Relations Board for the U.S. Penitentiary, Covered Bridge Girl Scout Council, Vigo County Education Foundation, Wabash Valley Goodwill Industries and many more. Jerse has received various awards and Governor Evan Bayh named her a Sagamore of the Wabash in 1990.
She and her late husband, Bill, were happily married for 70 years.Together, they have two sons, two daughters, five granddaughters, one step grandson, and one great grandson.
Jerse officially received the award from President King, during commencement on Saturday, but in the company of family and friends, the accomplishments of this community leader, author, activist and 1975 graduate was celebrated the night before at the Distinguished Alumni Banquet.
In an impromptu speech at the event, Cindy Hux Martin ’78, a 2014 recipient of the award, said Jerse was the “pick of the litter” and “most deserving” of the award. She has known Jerse since she was a student at SMWC and describes her as “a gentle warrior of Terre Haute.”
On that night, Jerse received a unique gift: her very own Woods Ring — the most recognizable symbol of the College. “It was a surprise!” Jerse said.
Jerse was invited to come forward as President King said, “We have a special gift for you. We know you never received your ring from SMWC. You worked hard to earn the right to wear the ring. In recognition of being named the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, it is also my pleasure to give you an SMWC ring. I hope you wear it with pride.”
*This is the 45th Anniversary of Woods Online, launched in 1973 by the late SMWC President Jeanne Knoerle, SP, ’49, as the Women’s External Degree Program.