Maitlands honored at ISU Founder’s Day ceremony

Posted on February 20, 2015

Several students, faculty and community members were honored during the Founder's Day ceremony at the Bone Student Center Thursday. (Joe Ragusa/WJBC)

By Joe Ragusa

NORMAL – A former state senator and a former Illinois State University board member were honored with honorary doctoral degrees at Illinois State University's Founder's Day ceremony Thursday. John Maitland served in the Illinois legislature for 24 years and his wife, Joanne, served on the ISU Board of Trustees for 11 years.

Joanne said early on in their marriage, they had several opportunities to help the community.

"The opportunities led to meeting and working with many people at this university," Joanne Maitland said after receiving her honorary doctorate. "We were active in church work, social service work, education, health and government. Our joy came not from the praises, but from doing something worthwhile, contributing to making the present and future better."

The school now known as Illinois State University was founded on Feb. 18, 1857.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

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