Jane Roth has deep roots in Iowa, but her life experience extends beyond the Hawkeye State. Her parents are University of Iowa graduates: her mother, Bernice “Bunny” Weede Havlicek (40GN), was born and raised in Bloomfield, Iowa, and was president of her nursing class and secretary of student government when Nile Kinnick (40BA) was president. Her dad, Frank Havlicek (48BSPE), is the man behind the face of the university mascot, having spearheaded efforts to create the first University of Iowa mascot, which became known as Herky. Jane has cemented the legacy of her parents through her philanthropy to the university.
Born in Iowa City, Jane lived in University Heights until she was six years old on Koser Avenue. From there, her family moved to the Twin Cities. Before high school she moved to Washington, D.C. She returned to the Midwest to attend Rockford College while her parents made their way to Chicago. Jane returned to Washington, D.C., to work on Capitol Hill after her college graduation. She served as an executive assistant in both the House of Representatives and the United States Senate for over fifteen years. She recalls, “I love the politics of it, meaning how people and processes work and come together.”
Jane’s Time on Capitol Hill
Life on Capitol Hill was never boring for Jane. Times were different back when Jane worked in Washington. “People spoke to each other more often, allowing for more communication between the different congressmen and senators; there was respect for differences of opinion,” she explained. One example Jane gives is how then-President Ronald Reagan would share a St. Patrick’s Day libation with Rep. Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, then Speaker of the House of Representatives. “It was very different as their views were not at all aligned, but they had respect for each other and could enjoy each other’s company,” states Jane.
There were significant moments Jane remembers when working on Capitol Hill. One was when she sat behind the podium when Oliver North gave his testimony on Iran-Contra. Jane was also working on the Hill during Watergate. She had a seat on the entrance of the Capitol for Nixon’s second inauguration. Other experiences included a congressional picnic the Carters hosted, interactions with Senator Goldwater while working for Rep. Barry Goldwater Jr., and meeting Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia when she worked for Senator James McClure. “It was a special time with unique memories,” shares Jane.
Moving Down a New Career Path
Through her interactions, Jane was able to see firsthand how politics and the legislative process worked, but eventually, it was time to move on. At this time, she married and moved her career into the private sector, working for Datatel, a software company focused on support for higher education. She was hired as manager of administration, and although she had no corporate experience, the hiring executive believed anyone who could maneuver a Capitol Hill office could successfully manage this office. Jane shared, “That was smart and forward-thinking as he did not know me. I was hired on a handshake.” This position launched Jane in a new direction, a path to philanthropy with a footprint at the University of Iowa.
Jane's boss at the software company was looking to the future, intending to establish a foundation to award scholarships to students attending client colleges and universities. The Datatel Scholars Foundation was born, and Jane was named executive director. “For fifteen years, I managed corporate administration and led the foundation. It was very rewarding and made me realize the impact of philanthropy, and that I wanted to expand my role in that direction,” shares Jane.
Jane moved into a new role with Datatel after they purchased another company, which expanded the real estate portfolio beyond the United States. The company was later rebranded as Ellucian, and she became the senior director of global real estate. “This was the role I retired from, and my philanthropy hat has gotten much stronger ever since,” says Jane.
Jane’s Mission
Jane learned about the difference she could make through the Datatel Scholars Foundation. It did not take much money to make a difference in a student’s life. “One thousand or two thousand dollars meant the world to a student,” shares Jane. However, before ever stepping into her role in the private sector, Jane had begun donating to the University of Iowa while she was still working on Capitol Hill. The amounts were small to the College of Nursing, but Tom DePrenger, who is now the vice president of principal gifts at the University of Iowa Center for Advancement, would stop by and visit Jane on his trips East.
One piece of information Jane shared with me will help readers understand her history of giving back. Like her mother, she has been a member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) for many years. P.E.O. is a charitable and educational organization that awards educational grants, loans, and scholarships to women furthering their education. Jane was president of the District of Columbia Chapter and later was a member of the Board of Trustees of P.E.O.’s Educational Loan Fund. These experiences again showed Jane the power of giving and the difference that outreach meant in the life of a student. This led her to personalize her philanthropy to the University of Iowa to honor her parents.
Giving to Iowa
Through time working in philanthropy and giving to the University of Iowa early in her adult life, Jane built relationships with people at the University of Iowa Center for Advancement. Those initial conversations with Tom DePrenger expanded over the years to others at the center and focused on her goals. “They listened to me, recognizing where and how I wanted to give,” says Jane. These conversations led to the scholarship in Bunny’s name at the College of Nursing. Now around 33 recipients have received these scholarships. When she returns to Iowa City, connecting with a scholarship recipient is always a highlight. “It’s so heartwarming to meet with them and hear their story, and they are so interested in my mother's story,” says Jane.
In 2018, she and her mother donated over 50 original pen and ink Herky drawings to the Special Collections at University Libraries. These drawings had been given to her father by Dick Spencer, who created the original caricature of Herky. This connection with the libraries led to Jane establishing the Jane H. Roth Libraries Special Projects Fund to benefit students and promote research and scholarship.
Importance of Legacy
Her parents’ legacy lives on through Jane’s giving. Jane is now divorced and does not have any siblings or children, so when it comes to a legacy, it is rooted in her mother and father. “It’s all about the University of Iowa and my parents, and that matters to me greatly,” shares Jane.
Now, continuing her parents' legacy, Jane has established the Frank J. Havlicek Marching Band Fund. Fun fact: Her father was behind the creation and recording of the Iowa Fight Song, as he worked to integrate it into the Iowa sports program in conjunction with Herky, as there was a desire to step away from the Iowa Corn Song. Jane donated the original “78 record” to University Libraries, which was then restored by Katie Buehner, director of the Rita Benton Music Library. “When Katie played [the song] for me, I just lost it,” says Jane.
It was through this sentimental moment that Katie connected Jane with Eric Bush, director of the Hawkeye Marching Band. Over time, this relationship developed, and now there is an internship opportunity for students in the Hawkeye Marching Band through the Frank J. Havlicek Marching Band Fund. Jane has met with students from the College of Nursing and University Libraries, but this spring looks forward to meeting with one of the first student recipients for the Marching Band Scholarship.
Jane’s Work on the Campaign Advisory Board
Jane makes it clear she likes to give back and make it possible for students to find the same opportunities her parents did while at Iowa. She joined the campaign advisory board for the College of Nursing. She brings a different perspective. “I didn’t graduate from Iowa; my parents did, and I am not a nurse. My participation is a credit to Dean Zerwic in understanding there needs to be a broad spectrum of life experience at the table,” says Jane.
Jane’s Advice for Others
Through life experience and being a philanthropist, she has gained knowledge that is valuable to others. One thing Jane shares is the importance of stepping back and taking the time to think about the decisions you make. Looking at the big picture is something Jane has learned over the years and still works to practice this even after retirement. Secondly, if you have a different approach or a question on an idea raised, speak up. Typically there is always someone else thinking the same thing. It's OK to disagree, just always be respectful when do you. Lastly, Jane shares the importance of listening to others. “Listen and stop talking,” says Jane. These are all things Jane had to learn over the years, so much so that she has even sat on her hands to stop herself from speaking when she knew that remaining silent was the better approach.
Looking to the Future
Currently, Jane has many projects at the University of Iowa, from scholarships to sitting on the College of Nursing Advisory Board and the Council of Advancement at University Libraries, and she is excited about what is to come. She looks forward to more interaction with the Csomay Center and recently met with Dr. Harleah Buck, director of the Csomay Center, to discuss future projects. Jane also shared her experiences with caregiving and aging during a meeting with other friends of the Csomay Center, where she also listened to others' stories. “That was a very powerful call for me; all it did was make me want to get involved,” states Jane.
If it weren't for the work Jane was doing with the College of Nursing, she never would have met Dr. Buck. Now, looking ahead, Jane is focused on the scholarship in her mother’s name and getting it to the point of sufficiency, allowing her to focus on other projects with the Csomay Center. Jane’s dedication to honoring her parents' legacy and her passion for philanthropy continues to drive her efforts. She remains committed to making a difference in the lives of students and the broader community, ensuring that her parents’ contributions to the University of Iowa will be remembered for generations to come.