Alumna gives over $1 million for student scholarships

A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumna who dedicated her life to education has left the School of Information and Library Science (SILS) over $1 million for student scholarships.

Jane Iris Crutchfield spent her career as a teacher and school librarian. She taught at the Danville, Va Public Schools and later at the Richmond Public Schools. She came to SILS after 19 years of teaching to pursue a degree in library science, graduating with a bachelor of science in library science in 1955.

In addition to receiving her degree from SILS, Crutchfield held degrees from Mary Washington College (Bachelor of Science) and the University of Virginia (Master of Education). She was a school librarian at the Patrick Henry Elementary School in Arlington, Va from 1960 until she retired in the late 1970s.

The $1.12 million gift, given by Crutchfield in memory of her mother, Janie Gammon Crutchfield, who always encouraged Iris to pursue her education, will go to the school’s Susan Grey Akers Scholarship Fund “that assists deserving students admitted to the Master of Science in Library Science (MSLS) degree program and distinguished by evidence of professional promise, character, leadership and high scholastic achievement.”

“This incredibly generous gift will provide scholarships to our most promising students for years to come,” said Dr. José-Marie Griffiths, dean of SILS. “We are grateful for this thoughtful and heartfelt gift that will assist in recruiting the best students into our program, and prepare them for success in ways that were important to Miss Crutchfield.”

Crutchfield was 92-years-old when she died on Dec. 10, 2006. She is remembered fondly by her neighbors and friends.

Ann Lanzillotta, a neighbor of Crutchfield for 40 years, considered the gracious and thoughtful Crutchfield part of her family. “Iris attended graduations, holiday gatherings and other special events with my family,” said Lanzillotta. “She was a warm and very cultured person who loved children. She loved teaching and had a talent for getting them excited about reading and writing. She was a treasure.”

Lanzillotta’s daughter, Mary Kay, described Crutchfield as an elegant lady who was always on the go and actively involved with children’s reading. She was also active in her community especially with the Delta Kappa Gamma Society of Female Educators and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

“Miss Iris [as they called her] thought if she could engage children in exploring through reading, they could do anything,” she said. “If they couldn’t yet read, she would offer reading hours. She would make studying fun and interesting by bringing in artifacts from her many travels to relate to her stories or the book they were reading. She wanted everyone to read, to appreciate and enjoy reading. As a children’s librarian, she always had suggestions of books to read or things to explore for my siblings and me. Each birthday we received a book that had been carefully selected and was meaningful for each of us.”

Her favorite memories of Crutchfield were her tea parties. “She would have my sister and me over for tea,” said Mary Kay. “They were very special occasions for us.”

In honor of Crutchfield and to commemorate the gift the dean will host an annual tea in the name of Jane Iris Crutchfield for the recipients of the Akers scholarships.

About the Susan Grey Akers Scholarship Fund

The SILS Alumni Association established the fund upon Dean Susan Grey Akers' retirement to provide a fellowship that assists deserving students admitted to the MSLS degree program and distinguished by evidence of professional promise, character, leadership and high scholastic achievement.

Akers was the first dean of SILS from 1932 to 1954, and she was the first female dean at UNC. Akers spearheaded the foundation of the library school at North Carolina Central University. She was noted for her work, Simple Library Cataloging. Akers maintained an interest in the School, its faculty and its students until her death in 1984 at the age of 95.

Photo courtesy of the Jane Iris Crutchfield Estate