Letter from the

Chair - Joy Hadwiger

 

 

My introduction to Doel Reed came in the fall of 2015 by way of an exhibit of his work at the Philbrook Downtown. I was immediately taken by his aquatints, which were reminiscent of my longtime love of the New Mexico landscape. I immediately began to search for aquatints that might be available for purchase, and to my surprise, I found that Doel Reed had a connection to OSU, my alma mater. Not only was Doel Reed a professor at Oklahoma A & M but the Doel Reed family estate near Taos was also a part of the Oklahoma State University system. Soon I realized that an opportunity to participate in classes at the Doel Reed Center was also possible. Thus, began my involvement with the Doel Reed Center. 

 

In summer 2016, I enrolled in my first leisure learning course and was fortunate to have Malinda Berry Fischer as a classmate. For those who don’t know, Malinda was the interim president at the OSU Foundation at the time of the original inquiry of Martha’s interest in donating the Reed family property. Malinda was deeply involved in the original discussions and she and her husband, Dick, continue to support the Doel Reed Center today. 

 

This leisure learning course offered an opportunity for lengthy conversations as we traveled northern New Mexico to visit many churches and religious sights. Malinda explained how the Doel Reed Center had come to be and the vision Martha Reed had for it. As a longtime visitor to New Mexico and a retired academic, I quickly recognized the potential the Doel Reed Center provided for OSU students, alumni and friends. I was convinced this was a project I wanted to support.    

 

I continue to enjoy activities offered by the Doel Reed Center, attending both summer and fall leisure learning courses, Visiting Artist and Scholar lectures in Taos and on the OSU campus in Stillwater, and participating in events and activities that support the Doel Reed Center. I joined the Center’s Advisory Committee in 2017 and since then have been honored to be involved at an entirely different level. One of the specific areas I am passionate about is providing OSU students with the opportunity to study at the Center.

 

Central to Martha Reed’s vision for her bequest of the family property was that the facility serves as an educational center. The academic courses offered each summer provide an opportunity for students to experience learning in an environment far different from the one they enjoy in Stillwater. Not only does the Doel Reed Center in Taos offer an opportunity for students to engage with the unique arts and culture of northern New Mexico but they also are afforded opportunities to explore courses that are tailored to take advantage of the surrounding area. Doel Reed Center students also benefit from the knowledge and experience of the Visiting Artists and Scholars. Without question, the Doel Reed Center in Taos provides a learning experience unlike any other. 

 

Many students who participate in the Doel Reed Center’s academic programs do so with the generous support of donors. This enriching experience is critical to the mission of the Center. Looking forward, we hope to expand the academic offerings to provide additional courses from more diverse colleges at additional times during the year. As we involve more students in academic study at the Doel Reed Center, the need for additional scholarship support will also grow. 

 

If you would like to help support our students, please contact Deb Engle at dengle@osugiving.com or visit us online to invest in the Doel Reed Annual Scholarship Fund. Thank you, in advance, for supporting the wonderful treasure that is the Doel Reed Center in Taos!