October 12, 2017 at 12:34 p.m.
Sister Jane Edward Schilling
Sister Jane Edward Schilling
She received a bachelor's degree in history/social studies from Fontbonne College and a master's degree in ancient history from Loyola University in Chicago.
Sr. Jane began her teaching career in St. Louis in elementary education. While there she helped with teenage volunteers at Homer G. Phillips Hospital, the designated facility for African Americans and also assisted the noted Fr. Dismas Clark with the running of Dismas House, a halfway house for former convicts.
In 1965 Sister Jane transferred to Indianapolis where she served as principal of Holy Angels School. She was known for educational innovation and resourcefulness, experimenting with multi-grade open space education and for starting a drum and bugle corps equipped with donated instruments.
In 1970, she collaborated with Fr. Boniface Hardin, O.S.B.to create Martin Center to provide anti-racism training. She became the chief researcher and administrator for workshops on race education, established an archive of materials on African and African American history and culture, produced print and audio-visual materials, broadcasted a weekly radio show and co-founded the Sickle Cell Center.
She and Fr. Boniface became convinced of the need for a special higher education institution based on social justice and adult learning principles for the underserved and she became founding vice president of Martin Center College. She presided over the successful growth of the college to its designation as Martin University, serving as vice president for 30 years until her retirement in 2007. She was known as the chief philosopher of the Martin educational philosophy, the intelligence behind the grant writing and accreditation efforts, the heart and chef behind the soup served to hungry students and the source of humor that enlivened daily activity at Martin University.
Sr. Jane was a leader in the activities of many community organizations, including the Crispus Attucks Museum, Indianapolis Public Schools, and Martin Center as well as serving for 10 years as the executive director for the Sickle Cell Center of Indianapolis. She was recognized by many groups including the Indianapolis Education Association, the Indiana Christian Leadership Conference, the King-Walker-Wilkins Young Awards Committee, The Red Cross, Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Committee, Wheeler Boys and Girls Club and the Nur Islamic Center.
Sister Jane is survived by three sisters, Sister Mary Mark Schilling, S.S.M.,of Milwaukee; Fern (Duane) Winger of Hazelhurst; and Jane (Jack) Jelinski of Bozeman, Mont., and a brother Edward (Lee) Schilling, Fond Du Lac.
A Memorial Mass was held Wednesday, Sept. 20 at Nazareth Living Center, St. Louis.
WEATHER SPONSORED BY
250 X 250 AD
250 X 250 AD
E-Editions
250 X 250 AD
Events
250 X 250 AD
Comments:
You must login to comment.