Homemaker of Science, DP Wilson bids farewell

MT. PLEASANT — A sea of purple poured out of the overflowing Iowa Wesleyan Howe Student Activity Center’s Social Hall Friday evening as former students, faculty and staff, community members and friends gathered to celebrate the 60-years Science Professor Dr. Delores Graf Poulter Wilson spent with the school.

With plans in place before the announcement of the University’s closure, DP still wanted to gather with her IW family to celebrate her lifelong career and those that supported her along the way.

Throughout the evening, DP spent time sharing memories and laughter with the individuals throughout the large crowd.

Following a brief musical performance from Primae Voces, IW Professor of Psychology Cyndi Walljasper shared exactly how she saw DP as a true Homemaker of Science.

Sitting in a purple chair, DP smiles broadly as she listened to Walljasper and others deliver kind words and reminiscence about their shared time at the beloved University.

According to Walljasper, DP once won the Betty Crocker All American Homemaker of Tomorrow Award, which she noted as exceptional inconsideration of DP’s own admissions to her cooking skills consisting of a pot roast which she makes for New Year’s Eve.

“When we think of a homemaker, we think about maybe a woman wearing a dress and high heels and an apron carrying a casserole to a beautiful table,” Wallsjaper said. “I don’t know about you, but that’s not the image I get when I think about DP Wilson.”

Following Walljasper’s discovery of this part of DP’s history, she researched the definition of a homemaker.

“According to the dictionary, the homemaker is a person who manages the household of their family,” she said. “The family manager of shopping supplies that apply to maintain the property.”

“This sounds a lot like managing the science department,” Walljasper said with a smile.

“As her students and colleagues can attest DP has spent these 60 years at Iowa Wesleyan managing the household of her lab and her family here.”

“So in addition to being a role model for her pursuit of knowledge, she changed the way we think about botany and the world,” Walljasper said. “By sharing her curiosity and her vast knowledge of the natural world, she has inspired us …”

Walljasper commended DP’s resiliency, ability to be in the moment, and to approach life as a miraculous adventure.

“Whether she's giggling on a roller coaster like she did this last year with me or enjoying her favorite meal at Bonaparte Retreat or another favorite restaurant, DP is always enjoying life,” she said.

According to Walljasper, DP’s spirit of positivity, generous, and support all attribute to the impact she made during her time with IW.

“For all of these reasons, I think the award that DP actually deserves is the Homemaker of Science award,” Walljasper concluded.

As DP closes this chapter, she looks ahead to days of retirement when she will “do what I want, when I want.”

She plans to enjoy time on her family farm with aspirations to renovate the home into a retreat which allows others to enjoy the classroom of the great outdoors.

DP continues to dream big of a future where she might continue to welcome others into her sphere of influence with a space that gives individuals a rest from the modern world.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com