The Gift of Education
“Ohio University made a huge difference in the quality of my life. It was where I made the transition from a girl to a woman, and it prepared me for meeting life’s challenges.”
To support the university that shaped her, Patty has committed a Charitable Gift Annuity to The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education. She worked her way through college and understands first-hand how the costs of tuition, room and board and books can add up.
“It’s not as easy for today’s students to work their way through college without loans or financial assistance. Any way I can help, I will,” she said.
When she was growing up, Patty’s immigrant father did not encourage her to attend college. He told her that girls didn’t need a formal higher education. She could be a secretary, earn good money, get married and have a family. It was her high school teachers that encouraged Patty to continue her education.
“A few of my teachers were Ohio University alumni and they encouraged me to go to college,” Patty said. “My physical education teacher had a son who was attending OHIO, and she kind of recruited me to attend school there as well.”
Once she made the decision to attend college, and more specifically Ohio University, Patty was filled with gratitude and determined to succeed as a student. During that time, many women majored in either nursing or education, and Cordova stayed within those fields. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Ohio University in 1963.
Cordova began student teaching during her junior year of college at a large elementary school in an urban setting, which was a bit of a culture shock. While she enjoyed her student teaching years, it was not always easy. It made her question if she wanted to be a teacher after all. But she decided to stick with it and soon found herself in a fulfilling career teaching in Denver, Colorado.
Patty Cordova hopes her gift to The Patton College will provide funds for students who are in a situation like she was; no resources to pay for college but a strong desire to learn.
“I hope the funds will help support a future teacher who will be as inspired by the university as I was. Teachers make a difference!”