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In Memoriam Ilsedore Maria Edse (1918-2015)

December 11, 2015

In Memoriam Ilsedore Maria Edse (1918-2015)

Professor Ilsedore Edse Ohio State German

We mourn the passing of Ilsedore Maria Edse, who died peacefully on December 4, 2015. We remember her great spirit, collegiality and generosity, and her devotion to undergraduate and foreign language education.

Born in Koblenz, Germany, Professor Edse emigrated to America with her family in 1946. She was admitted to The Ohio State University, where she completed her Bachelor’s degree in 1952, her Master’s in 1954, and her Ph.D. in 1960. As a Graduate Assistant Instructor, she had begun to teach in the Department of German at Ohio State in 1952, and soon after finishing her doctoral studies, she joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor.

For Professor Edse, teaching at Ohio State was more than a profession -- it was a vocation which she pursued with passion and pride. She taught German Composition and Conversation, German for Reading Knowledge, 20th-century German Literature, German Drama, Business German, and Intermediate German Language courses in the Department.

In the late 1950’s, Professor Edse had begun to work in radio and television, writing and producing German-language instructional programs and conducting on-air interviews. Lester W. Spencer, Assistant Program Supervisor at WOSU at the time, wrote of his appreciation for her work on the German Course series: "You have a personality strong enough to penetrate the radio barriers which is most difficult to accomplish. You add a great deal in making the programs on both radio and television both informative and interesting."

Throughout her career, Professor Edse continued to work tirelessly in the classroom, in radio and television, and on publishing German language textbooks: the Ja, German Spoken, Let's Speak German, and Wie Geht's? series. She gave talks and presentations across the Midwest and at conferences around the country.

In 1964, Professor Edse was the first woman to receive the "Teacher of the Year" award from the Student Council of the College of Arts and Sciences at Ohio State for "excellence of undergraduate teaching." That same year, she received an Emmy nomination from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for her "Visit to Germany" series. Four years later, she received another Emmy nomination for her "Ja! German Spoken" series.

On the 8th of April 1980, the Consul General of West Germany telephoned the department chair to inform him that Ilsedore Edse had been named a recipient of the  Bundesverdienstkreuz (Order of Merit), the highest award which the German government bestows in recognition for distinguished contributions to international understanding. Professor Edse was, after Dieter Cunz, the second member of the then 100-year-old OSU Department of German to be so honored. She was cited specifically for "her outstanding teaching in the university's German department and her innovative programming on WOSU radio and television." At the award ceremony, David Benseler, chair of the department, said: "The strongest thing one encounters when one meets Dr. Edse is not only her love of life but her love of humanity. She embodies the notion that conflict is avoided when people speak each other's language."

More accolades followed. She received the 1984 Ohioana Citation for her distinguished service to Ohio in the field of intercultural understanding, her innovative teaching accomplishments, and her exceptional abilities as a television writer, performer, and producer in her interpretation of German language and culture. The next year, she was presented with the 1985 Faculty Service Award by the National University Continuing Education Association.

Shortly before her retirement, The Ohio State University selected Professor Edse as a recipient of the 1988 Distinguished Service Award. President Jennings wrote: "For more than three decades, ... as a demanding and inspiring teacher, you have been a mentor, role model, advisor, and friend at Ohio State. To many, your name is synonymous with German at Ohio State. You have worked tirelessly to establish close and fruitful ties between the German-American population of Ohio and the University for the cause of international understanding. Your contributions have brought you the respect and affection of your students and colleagues."

In her final “Annual Faculty Report” for the Department, Professor Edse wrote:
“I will retire at the end of 1988. I started teaching in 1952, Radio in 1954, TV in 1957 and kept up my activities through 36 years. In addition, I was in charge of students in the German House for seven years in the seventies. It was an activity-filled life at OSU. It was very satisfying.”

She retired on December 31, 1988. As a visible sign of gratitude, in deep appreciation and friendship for Professor Edse, her friends and colleagues in the Department and the College of Humanities decided to establish the Ilsedore Edse Fund for support of Undergraduate Students of German. A colleague at the time wrote, "It is so like Ilsedore -- the only gift she would accept from us is one she can give away to others." To date, over 21 undergraduate students of German at Ohio State have been awarded this coveted scholarship.

As we mourn Ilsedore's passing, we also celebrate her achievements and her indelible contributions to our department, the university, and to intercultural understanding. Those who knew her will sorely miss her creative flair, generous nature, and warm humor.

 

If you would like to make a contribution in memory of Ilsedore to the Ilsedore Edse Scholarship Fund Supporting Undergraduates of German, you can do so through this secure link: Ilsedore Edse Fund 308792 , or by contacting the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures at 614-292-6985.