Expanding Minds, One Trip at a Time

Danish author Hans Christian Andersen once said, “To travel is to live,” and perhaps no one at Iowa State University understands that more than Olivia M.A. Madison (’72 history), Emerita Professor and Library Dean Emerita.

Throughout her almost 40-year tenure at Iowa State University – beginning with her serving as a faculty cataloger for history, law, and political science through her 17-year long term as the Library Dean – Olivia’s professional life was not limited to the library’s four walls. She and her late husband, Gregory S. Palermo, former Emeritus Professor of Architecture, provided extensive university leadership service throughout their careers, notably that each served as an elected Iowa State Faculty Senate President. Their service commitments touched and benefitted almost every facet of the Iowa State faculty community.

Olivia also traveled much of the world. She served as a United States representative to the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) and enjoyed long and varied service with the American Library Association. Her IFLA journeys included conferences held in France, Italy, Sweden, India, Turkey, Cuba and Russia, which included her first-hand experience of the 2005 Russian coup. She continues her professional service as the Governor’s appointee to the Midwest Higher Education Compact, a 12-state member organization whose mission supports the success of higher education.

Throughout his highly successful Iowa State career, Gregory actively enabled the academic successes of the architecture students and faculty, including the College of Design’s Rome program, established by his close friend and colleague, Dean Emeritus Mark Engelbrecht. Finally, during the 2014 spring semester, he taught in the Rome program with Mark. “Gregory loved Rome,” Olivia recalled fondly, “And I think the saddest thing is that he only went that one time. But that one time was so magical because of Mark.” Olivia also had the opportunity to join him for a month. Throughout his career, Gregory served and chaired a broad range of national and international academic accreditation reviews through the American Institute of Architecture.

Olivia and Gregory shared a strong belief in the impact of international travel and the personal growth it fosters. They would honeymoon in Scotland, visit family in Denmark, and explore Italy, Sicily, Greece, and Australia – just a few of their many trips together. As a young, recent college graduate, Olivia traveled to England on her own – an experience she says shaped her. Without family and friends to lean on, she found connection and community wherever she was, however, far outside her comfort zone that may have been.

So, when the couple discussed how they wanted to give back to the university, “it was a no-brainer to give to the Department of Architecture’s international program,” Olivia said. Experiencing firsthand the transformative nature of travel, they were eager to give students the same opportunities. They utilized a dual giving approach through estate commitments and cash giving to establish two continuing scholarships: the Olivia M.A. Madison and Gregory S. Palermo Scholarship in Architecture, and the Gregory S. Palermo and Olivia M. A. Madison Scholarship for International Travel.

“I strongly believe in the joy and the growth of people who travel abroad, particularly when they go under the auspices of a university,” Olivia said, a passion that Olivia and Gregory both shared. She maintains their mutual love of travel and plans to visit Malawi (in Africa), where Gregory’s oldest son currently works for the US Embassy. And Olivia plans to return to Rome – this time in honor of Gregory – to see firsthand the impact of their giving.

“Donor support has given me the opportunity to pursue my passions.”
– Sierra Wroolie

The Gregory S. Palermo and Olivia M. A. Madison Scholarship for International Study and Travel has helped recipient Sierra Wroolie complete her architecture degree by helping her hone her skills among the works of some of Italy's greats.

“I’ve learned so much about the history of Rome and seen countless jaw-dropping works from the ancient Romans and renaissance masters,” Sierra said. “I’ve also been able to improve my technical skills with on-site drawing through observation.”

Coming to Iowa State from Akeley, Minnesota, just affording tuition as an out-of-state student posed a challenge for Sierra – let alone funding studio field trips and a study abroad experience. But, according to Sierra, “donor support has given me the opportunity to pursue my passions.”

Olivia and Gregory chose to use a giving approach that blends a gift of cash now and a gift later through their estate plan. If you, too, would like to create transformational experiences at Iowa State, explore the opinions in our scholarship guide. Our team is also here to help you explore. Contact us at the office of gift planning at 800.621.8515 or giftplanning@foundation.iastate.edu to discover the possibilities.