Joanne F. Van Sant, 1946
B.A., Denison University
M.A., The Ohio State University
LL.D., Albright College
Citation awarded June, 1996
Joanne Van Sant has devoted her professional life to higher education as a teacher, administrator, coach and artist. Two years after her graduation she accepted a position at Otterbein College, where she has remained for nearly five decades.
Her teaching field was physical education. As Associate Professor she also served as Departmental and Divisional Chair. Administratively, she served as Dean of Women and Dean of Students. She has choreographed over forty musicals at Otterbein including several children’s productions. She is currently Consultant for Institutional Advancement, and Vice President and Dean for Student Affairs Emeritus.
Active in civic affairs as well, Joanna has served in local, regional, and international offices for Zonta International, including a two-year term as President of the Columbus Club and later as Governor of District 5. A past president of Directions for Youth and the North Area Mental Health Board, and currently president of Vocal Arts Resource Network, she has also served on the boards of the Westerville Civic Symphony, Otterbein Theatre Guild, Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio, Westerville Women’s Music Club, AAUW, and Friendship Village of Columbus. She is an ordained Presbyterian elder.
In 1953 Joanne earned her M.A. from the Ohio State University in Higher Education Administration. She received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Albright College in 1975, and has been awarded numerous honors from academic, dramatic, and social service organizations.
Joanne serves as a Reunion Manager for her Denison Class, and has taken a particularly active role in this year’s Reunion celebrating the Golden Anniversary of the Class of 1946.
