EVANS, Dr. MaryBeth (CARPENTER)

CARPENTER, EVANS

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/11/2016 at 15:06:32

BIOGRAPHY - DR. MARYBETH (CARPENTER) EVANS
Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa

MaryBeth (Carpenter) Evans was born on July 16, 1918, in Andover, Missouri.

Fifteen years after her graduation from Graceland, MaryBeth returned and founded the college's modern-day teacher eduction program. Prior to joining Graceland as a faculty member, MaryBeth completed her B.A. in elementary education from Northwest Missouri State University in 1943 and worked as an elementary school teacher and administrator in Iowa and Missouri for 15 years.

In 1952, MaryBeth became part of the Graceland faculty after college administrators asked her to design a teacher education program and then teach it. She completed her M.A. in elementary education from the State University of Iowa in 1953, and obtained her doctorate degree in administration and supervision in 1964 from Wayne State University.

MaryBeth chaired the education program for several years and served as Graceland's director of teacher education. Her slate of regular courses included elementary education, early childhood education, and literature for children, although she also taught psychology and geography during her initial years with Graceland. Midway through her Graceland career, MaryBeth introduced international teaching experiences for students at winter term and conducted seven trips to the American School in London.

MaryBeth retired as professor emerita in 1988, but continued her teaching career at the University of Southern Missisippi. She was appointed as a research professor in the department of cirruculum and instruction there in 1994, assisting doctoral students in the field of early childhood education.

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MaryBeth Evans Honored as "Ageless Hero"

MaryBeth Evans, Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Southern Mississippi and long-time ACEI member, was chosen from among 400 nominees as the recipient of the Ageless Hero Award and was honored at a luncheon in Hattiesburg in March 2004. Sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield, this program recognizes Mississippi residents over age 65 who serve as role models and "whose lives are filled with activity, vitality, and accomplishments." Evans's award in the Love of Learning category recognized her lifelong commitment to education.

"I enjoy teaching young women and men who are preparing to be teachers and currently are teaching," Evans related. At age 86, her commitment remains strong: "Together, there is a promise that we can make a difference in the world."

Among her numerous accomplishments in over 66 years as an educator, Evans pioneered a summer school program in Iowa so unique that students were eager to enroll, made seven visits to English schools with preservice teachers, continues to present at various professional conferences, and recently has authored the book When Young Children Pray. In March 2003, she traveled unescorted to Taiwan to observe early childhood education facilities in a number of cities. Her awards nominator, Mark Richmond, hailed her as "an amazing source of inspiration for all the faculty who work with her."

An avid ACEI proponent, Evans joined the Association in 1944 at the encouragement of an adviser and is especially appreciative of its international scope. "ACEI has been an organization that is helpful in addressing both general and specific issues," she said. "I feel I can trust what is said in the journals and articles."

Evans is also active in her church and in the Optimist Club, where she currently serves in a leadership role.

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Southern Miss Now, The University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, October 04, 2010

Longtime Southern Miss Professor Evans Breaks Down Age Stereotypes
by David Tisdale

When she inquired about a teaching position with The University of Southern Mississippi’s College of Education and Psychology more than 20 years ago, Mary Beth Evans wasn’t lacking in experience.

By then, she already had half a century of service in the field of education, from working as a teacher in a rural country day school to high school principal to professor at universities in the Midwest. But even after she and her husband retired to Hattiesburg, she still longed to continue working in her chosen field.

“I didn’t know if they would want to hire someone who was 71 years old, but I told them I could still teach and I felt like I had something to offer,” she said.

Twenty-two years later, Evan continues offering her experience, wisdom and mentorship as a research professor in Southern Miss’ Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Special Education. And her students are grateful she continues to postpone retirement.

“At every class meeting, she helps us relate what we are studying to issues people encounter in everyday life,” said Southern Miss freshman music major Jean-Paul Brian of Mandeville, La., a student in Evans’ intermediate reading class. “She’s very engaged in helping her students succeed.”

Recently, Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa informed her that she is the recipient of one of its highest honors, the Distinguished Service Award, which she’ll receive Friday at the university’s Emeriti Dinner during its homecoming weekend.

“I’m gratified, not just for me, but that they gave the award to someone in education, because that’s the hope of the world,” she said.

Evans has taught or directed education programs for 72 years and has been instrumental in developing model summer school programs across the U.S. as well as programs in early childhood. She has also researched educational initiatives around the world, studying early childhood education programming in Taiwan, China, Haiti and England.

She has received a number of awards in her long career in education, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield’s Ageless Hero Award for Lifelong Learning in 2004. She has presented her research at numerous conferences and seminars at the state, national and international level, has been published in multiple journals and has been an active member of the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) since 1944.

Dr. David Daves, chairman of the Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Special Education, said Evans’ students marvel at her energy, her enthusiasm for teaching, and her unwavering desire to inspire those about to enter a challenging, yet rewarding profession.

“Her students are her greatest fans and are always ready to praise Mary Beth for the invaluable gift she shares,” Daves said. “Not only does she teach them pedagogy and instructional strategies, she is a living example of the intangibles that it takes to be a successful teacher. She has the heart and soul of an educator.”

NOTE: Dr. Evans was the 2010 recipient of Graceland's Distinguished Service Award.

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Southern Miss Now, The University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, November 29, 2012

Evans Receives Top Honor from Mid-South Educational Research Association
by David Tisdale

Even at age 95, University of Southern Mississippi professor Dr. Mary Beth Evans still enjoys coming to work to help her students prepare for rewarding careers as educators.

That passion for education has not gone unnoticed by one of the region’s top educational organizations, the Mid-South Educational Research Association, which recently recognized her with its top honor, the Walter M. Mathews Historical Contributions Award. The award was recently presented to Evans at the organization’s annual meeting, held Nov. 7-9 in Lexington, Ky.

The award was created by the MSERA’s board of directors in 1999 to honor the organization’s founder, Dr. Walter M. Mathews. It recognizes the contributions recipients have made in the growth and development of MSERA. Founded in 1972, the MSERA’s stated mission is to encourage and provide results of quality educational research in elementary and secondary schools, as well as institutions of higher learning.

Evans has been a member of the College of Education and Psychology’s Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Special Education (CISE) faculty for nearly 25 years in a career in education approaching nearly 75 years. She earned a Ed.D. in administration and supervision from Wayne State University in 1964, and her areas of expertise include early childhood education and the arts.

Her other career honors include the Blue Cross/Blue Shield’s Ageless Hero Award for Lifelong Learning in 2004. “God has given me the strength so far to continue doing what I love to do, and people who accept me to do it,” Evans said. “I still love doing what I do and believe I can make a difference.”

Evans has taught or directed education programs and been instrumental in developing model summer school programs across the U.S., as well as programs in early childhood. She has researched educational initiatives around the world, studying early childhood education programming in Taiwan, China, Haiti and England.

She has presented her research at numerous conferences and seminars at the state, national and international levels, and has been published in multiple journals.

Assistant professor Dr. Rose Jones, Evans’ departmental colleague at Southern Miss, also attended the meeting, where Jones was recognized for her four years of service on the MSREA board. Jones said she was thrilled to be with Evans when she was presented with the award.

“You have to have a strong commitment to this organization to earn the Matthews Award, and Dr. Evans has made that commitment over many years,” she said. “She has been a wonderful inspiration to so many people who are members of this organization.”

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SOURCES:

Goehner, David. “The Graceland College Book of Knowledge: From A To Z.” p. 404. Herald House. Independence MO. 1997.

thefreelibrary.com/MaryBeth+Evans+honored+as+%22Ageless+Hero%22.-a0124077839

Transcriptions by Sharon R Becker, January of 2016

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