Who Was Neva Barnhart?
When Rho Chapter dissolved, their members wanted Neva to be remembered for her leadership and love for The Delta Kappa Kappa Society International. The remaining chapter funds were given to the state to be the seed money for an ongoing leadership seminar which would encourage Iowa women educators to become leaders in their communities, schools and Delta Kappa Gamma.
Neva Barnhart was born November 4, 1907, at Rose Hill in Mahaska County. In 1952, she graduated from William Penn College where she later was employed as a visiting instructor of elementary art for several summer sessions. Graduate work was done at Drake University, Northwest Missouri State Teachers’ College and Iowa Wesleyan College.
Mrs. Barnhart taught at Keswick, Correctionville, and Rose Hill before employment at Oskaloosa Junior High where she was an instructor for English and art classes from 1959-1973.
A charter member of Rho Chapter which was organized in 1949, Neva had formerly been initiated as a state member in 1948. At the state level she held the offices of first vice-president (1959-1961) and president (1961-1963). She chaired committees on Necrology and Program of Work.
As state president, Mrs. Barnhart organized Alpha Sigma Chapter in Van Buren County in 1963. Following her term as state president, Neva remained active in both the chapter and state organization. She chaired the State Expansion Committee (1977-1979) and continued to serve on the committee the following biennium. At the international level, Neva served on the Program of Work Committee (1964-1966) and assisted with the writing of the program manual.
Neva Barnhart was a life member of both ISEA and NEA. In addition to educational affiliations, she was a member of the First Christian Church and the William Penn College Auxiliary.
Mrs. Barnhart died November 13, 1986, at Siesta Park Nursing Home in Oskaloosa. Burial was at Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa beside her husband, Ira C. Barnhart. Neva’s state president’s pin was returned to the state organization after her death with the request that it be reserved for a future member of Rho Chapter who might be elected state president. (1.)
1. from The History of Upsilon State Iowa, 1986-2011; 2011; page 13.
Neva Barnhart was born November 4, 1907, at Rose Hill in Mahaska County. In 1952, she graduated from William Penn College where she later was employed as a visiting instructor of elementary art for several summer sessions. Graduate work was done at Drake University, Northwest Missouri State Teachers’ College and Iowa Wesleyan College.
Mrs. Barnhart taught at Keswick, Correctionville, and Rose Hill before employment at Oskaloosa Junior High where she was an instructor for English and art classes from 1959-1973.
A charter member of Rho Chapter which was organized in 1949, Neva had formerly been initiated as a state member in 1948. At the state level she held the offices of first vice-president (1959-1961) and president (1961-1963). She chaired committees on Necrology and Program of Work.
As state president, Mrs. Barnhart organized Alpha Sigma Chapter in Van Buren County in 1963. Following her term as state president, Neva remained active in both the chapter and state organization. She chaired the State Expansion Committee (1977-1979) and continued to serve on the committee the following biennium. At the international level, Neva served on the Program of Work Committee (1964-1966) and assisted with the writing of the program manual.
Neva Barnhart was a life member of both ISEA and NEA. In addition to educational affiliations, she was a member of the First Christian Church and the William Penn College Auxiliary.
Mrs. Barnhart died November 13, 1986, at Siesta Park Nursing Home in Oskaloosa. Burial was at Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa beside her husband, Ira C. Barnhart. Neva’s state president’s pin was returned to the state organization after her death with the request that it be reserved for a future member of Rho Chapter who might be elected state president. (1.)
1. from The History of Upsilon State Iowa, 1986-2011; 2011; page 13.