Generosity of the Folwell Family

The Folwell Chair, Scholarship, and Lecture

Folwell Scholarship and Endowment

The Frank and Dorothy "Jane" Folwell Scholarship is available to full-time undergraduate students interested in public and community service who have at least a 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and have financial need. The award amount varies between $500-$1000 per academic year.

The application period for the Folwell Scholarship is generally between February and March each year. Click here to apply for the scholarship.

For more information about the Folwell scholarship please contact Chairperson Bill Parsons.

About the Folwells

Frank and Dorothy "Jane" Folwell

The Frank and Dorothy "Jane" Folwell Scholarship reflects Jane's life-long commitment to community and public service.

After a 30-year career as a congressional staffer in Washington D.C. from 1951 through 1972, Jane Folwell retired and relocated to the Quad Cities. She then devoted another 40 years to quietly serving her native Quad Cities as an active volunteer and earnest philanthropist. Her husband, Frank, also was an active civic volunteer and philanthropist. The Folwells devoted their energy and gifts to many worthy efforts including Junior Achievement, Genesis Health Services Foundation, and St. Ambrose University.

Following Frank's death in 1997, Jane became more interested in St. Ambrose University and established the Frank and Dorothy "Jane" Folwell Chair in Political Science and Pre-law in 2001. After her passing in 2013, the Frank and Dorothy "Jane" Folwell Scholarship was created to provide support to students with financial need, academic ability, and a commitment to community and public service.


The Folwell Chair in Political Science and Pre-Law

The Folwell Chair is the first academic chair established at SAU and honors the teachings and life of SAU's namesake. As such, the Folwell Chair promotes political science and pre-law studies.

Initiatives supported and funded by the Folwell Chair include: the annual Folwell Lecture; Mock Trial; Model U.N.; paid internships and research projects for qualified students; faculty research and development; funds for students and faculty to attend academic conferences; and advising for the University's 3+3 agreement with the University of Iowa School of Law. All of the Folwell activities are driven by the Department of Political Science and Leadership Studies' commitment to helping students interested in careers in community and public service.

The Folwell Chair also oversees the Folwell Academic Scholarship awarded annually to students with financial need who excel in the classroom and demonstrate an interest and commitment to community and public service.

About the Folwells

The Frank and Dorothy "Jane" Folwell Chair was established in 2001 by Jane Folwell, an energetic volunteer and generous benefactor for educational, health, and community groups and initiatives, including Junior Achievement, Genesis Health Services Foundation, and St. Ambrose University.

Folwell's interest in political science and pre-law stems from her 30-year career as a congressional staffer in the U.S. House of Representatives and in the United States Senate. Mrs. Folwell's husband, Frank, was a highly respected Quad City businessman and philanthropist who passed away in 1997. The legacy of Jane Folwell, who passed away in 2013, continues in the many important initiatives made possible through the Folwell Chair.

Folwell Lecture

The prestigious Folwell Chair Endowment was established in 2001 by Jane Folwell, an energetic volunteer and generous benefactor for educational, health and community groups and initiatives, including Junior Achievement, Genesis Health Services Foundation, and St. Ambrose University. Mrs. Folwell's husband, Frank, was a highly-respected Quad Cities businessman and philanthropist who passed away in 1997.

Endowed academic chairs are among the most esteemed resources at universities and colleges. Endowment funds are invested in perpetuity, with their earnings applied toward faculty salaries, lectureships, scholarships, and other academic resources.

Past Lecturers

(2023) David Archer, PhD, University of Chicago

(2022) Ronald J. Pestritto, PhD, Hillsdale College

(2021) Dianne Bystrom, PhD, Iowa State University

(2020) Kelly M. Kadera, PhD, University of Iowa

(2019) Gerard Wegemer, PhD, University of Dallas

(2018) J. Martin Rochester, PhD, University of Missouri-St. Louis

(2017) Joseph Alulis, PhD, North Park University

(2016) Dr. Thomas G. Weiss

(2015) Professor Amaney Jamal, Princeton University

(2014) Carson Holloway
Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Nebraska at Omaha

(2013) Justice Thomas Waterman, JD
Iowa Supreme Court Justice

(2012) Joel Glassman, PhD
Associate provost for academic affairs, director of the Center for International Studies, and associate professor of Political Science
Univesity of Missouri-St. Louis

(2011) Rev. James Schall, author and professor
Department of Government, Georgetown University

(2009) Dr. Susan Martin, The Donald Hertzberg Associate Professor of International Migration
Georgetown University

(2008) Dr. James W. Ceaser, Professor of Politics
University of Virginia, Charlottesville

(2007) Dr. Michael Palmer, Professor of Political Science
University of Maine

(2006) Jean Bethke Elsthain, Political Philosopher
University of Chicago Divinity School

(2005) Dr. Berthold Rittberger, Professor of Political Science
Technische Universitat Kaiserslautern, Germany

(2004) Dr. Tung Yin, Professor of Law
University of Iowa

(2003) Linda Neuman, Former Iowa Supreme Court Justice

Contact


L. Joseph Hebert, PhD, Department Chair

Political Science and Leadership Studies
Folwell Center
518 W. Locust St.
Davenport
563-333-6402
HebertJosephL@sau.edu

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