FREEMAN, Tom Scott

FREEMAN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/13/2016 at 02:30:27

Biography - Tom Scott Freeman
Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa

Tom S. Freeman was born on October 9, 1935, in Blue Island, Illinois. He graduated from Graceland in 1955, earned his B.S. Ed. from Northwast Missouri State University in 1957, his M.S. from Colorado State University in 1958, and his Ed.D from the University of Colorado in 1966.

Dr. Freeman joined the Graceland faculty in 1960 as psychology and education professor and coached the college's golf program from 1979 through 1991.

In 1961, Dr. Freeman teamed up with Clyde Youngs to develop the college's first counseling center. He also started Graceland's special education program (which began as a co-op offering with Drake University in Des Moines), directed Graceland's frst NCATE evaluation, and regularly served as an instructor in the college's Upward Bound program.

Dr. Freeman was cited for outstanding teaching at Graceland in 1968, and received the Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1986.

Off campus, Dr. Freeman has served on the Lamoni City Council and has been a member of the RLDS Lamoni Stake high council for several years. Although he retired as professor emeritus in 1997, Dr. Freeman made plans to continue serving the college on a part-time basis.

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GU Yellowjackets, Graceland University, Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa
Thursday, Ocober 10, 2013

Love for Graceland Drives Freemans To Give Back

Lamoni, IA - Tom Freeman was more than a fixture at Graceland, he was an institution.

Freeman returned to his alma mater (Class of '55) after earning his graduate degree and spent 37 years teaching in the psychology department [1960-1997], passing down his particular brand of wisdom to generations of students in Lamoni.

Tom's wife Terry, who graduated from Graceland in 1956, matched her husband's staying power as a part of the Lamoni landscape. Terry taught first grade in Lamoni for 19 years and was a mentor for Graceland's annual flock of student teachers at the school.

In retirement, she served as an adjunct professor at GU, making her a more official den mother for emerging educators. In addition to their contributions on the job, the Freemans provided room and board for many students over their years on "the Hill."

Tom understands the connection between school and sport better than most. During his tenure at Graceland, Tom spent a decade as golf coach, and ran the clock for football, basketball and track for 30 years. "Institution" only just gives Freeman his due credit.

2013 marks the second annual Freeman award and a special one for Tom and Terry. The couple is graciously dedicating this year's $1K scholarship to the top achieving student-athlete in honor of Tom's older brother Richard "Dick" Freeman.

Dick attended Graceland College from 1947-49 and not only played quarterback for the Yellowjackets but also exceled on the basketball team and ran track.

"My brother often said the best two years of his life were the ones he spent in Lamoni," said Freeman about his older brother.

Thanks to the Freemans, a special medal will be given to the senior student-athlete in each varsity sport who achieved the highest GPA in their junior year.

For 2013, the awardees are: Chris Borst (Baseball), Drew Emmert (Men's Basketball), Sarahi Ortiz Casillas (Women's Basketball), Soski Pena (Cheerleading), Etaslon Kabura (Men's Cross Country and Track and Field), Sydney Brock (Women's Cross Country and Track and Field) Rodrigo Tostado (Football), Skyler Crangle (Gadets) Keeley Brunner (Women's Golf), Gabriel Gallegos (Men's Soccer), Megan Codilla (Women's Soccer), Kylie Perkins (Softball), Paige Robino (Women's Tennis), Luis Freitas (Men's Volleyball) and Kelsi Martin (Women's Volleyball).

This year's medals will be presented at halftime of the Homecoming football game. A special plaque, with the student's name, will be placed in their coach's office to commemorate the student's achievement, and as a reminder of the important role a coach plays in a student's collegiate life.

Graceland thanks Tom and Terry for providing a lasting legacy to the importance of sportsmanship and scholarship.

SOURCES:
Goehner, David. “The Graceland College Book of Knowledge: From A To Z.” Pp. 405-06. Herald House. Independence MO. 1997.

"Love for Graceland Drives Freemans To Give Back." GU Yellowjackets. Graceland University. Lamoni IA. Ocober 10, 2013.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2016

Decatur Biographies maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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