A new scholarship at Hobart and William Smith Colleges will honor the memory of Professor Iva E. Deutchman, a longtime political science scholar whose influence shaped generations of students and colleagues.
Established by her brother and sister-in-law, Leonard and Joanne Deutchman, the Professor Iva E. Deutchman Annual Fund Scholarship aims to carry forward her passion for education and commitment to student success.
Deutchman passed away on Jan. 3 following a brief illness. She spent 32 years at HWS as a professor, department chair, and mentor. Known for her deep knowledge of U.S. politics and modern conservatism, she was also celebrated for her wit, warmth, and ability to challenge students intellectually. “In talking with Hobart and William Smith alumni since Iva’s death, what has touched me so much is how many of them said ‘Iva changed my life,’” said Joanne Deutchman.
Deutchman joined the Colleges in 1987 and made a lasting institutional impact. She chaired the Political Science Department, helped launch the Media & Society Program, and led several major academic committees. She founded the campus chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, and co-founded the Day on the Hill Program, which brings students to Washington, D.C. for firsthand political engagement.
Her dynamic courses — including “Modern American Conservatism,” “Media and Politics,” “Campaigns and Elections,” and “Sex and Power” — were known for sparking tough conversations and inspiring critical thinking.
Deutchman’s influence stretched far beyond the classroom. A lifelong Yankees fan who was born in the Bronx and raised in Lakewood, N.J., she even created the course “Baseball and American Culture” to examine American society through the lens of the sport she loved. To celebrate what would have been her 73rd birthday, family and friends plan to attend the Sept. 7 Yankees-Blue Jays game, with a special message in her honor displayed on the stadium’s big screen.
“She may have only been 5 foot, 3 inches tall, but she always had the biggest presence in the room,” said Joanne.
Deutchman held a B.A. from Hofstra University and a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. She was widely published and frequently quoted in both local and national media. Her brother Leonard recalled her powerful influence: “She came into this world, made her mark, and left too quickly.”
The Deutchmans invite the HWS community to support the scholarship and carry on the legacy of a teacher who inspired countless lives.
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