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GIVING BACK TO FUTURE EDUCATORS: THE IMPACT OF DR. IMOGENE MATHISON MIXSON
By Amanda Coffman
Dr. Imogene Mathison Mixson (Ph.D. ’72) sums up her outlook on philanthropy with the words of John Bunyan, who wrote “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”
Bunyan’s insight into giving back could easily be considered a mantra for all educators. Educators give of their time and their talent to help young people improve and grow without any expectation of reward or recompense from their charges.
Mixson always wanted to be a teacher and was destined to be a leader in education. The Alabama native graduated valedictorian of Ozark High School, earned her bachelor’s in English education at Troy University and spent the first seven years of her career in education as an English teacher at Dothan High School.
While continuing to teach, Mixson earned her master’s in English education from Auburn University in 1963, in the same year that the state legislature formed the Alabama Community College System to provide affordable education and technical training to students across the state.
Mixson saw her opportunity to serve the Alabama Wiregrass community where she was raised and joined Enterprise State Community College as an English instructor in 1966. By 1968, she was chair of the English department. After exploring graduate programs in the Southeast, she chose Florida State University, where she would go on to receive a Ph.D. in English education in 1972.
After completing her first term during her year of residency, she was awarded a full fellowship that provided not only financial assistance, but the encouragement and confidence that continues to inspire her today.
“This moment for me was transformational,” says Mixson. “It’s one among many memories that motivates me to give back to a place that has made such a positive impact on my life, since the summer term of 1967 when I first enrolled in the College of Education.”
Over her thirty-seven-year career in public education, Mixson served as an English instructor, English department chairperson, academic dean and interim president. During her time as an educator, she was honored three times as Teacher of the Year. She also received the Distinguished Leadership Award and Administrator of the Year Award from the Alabama Community College System. In 2016, Troy University named her a Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Auburn University’s College of Education named her the Outstanding Alumnus, and Florida State University’s College of Education presented her with our highest honor, the Distinguished Educator award, in 2016.
Mixson received the College of Education’s Distinguished Educator Award in 2016, presented by Dean Emerita Marcy Driscoll.
her impact as an educator, and no one could blame her if she chose to put her feet up and rest. But even in her welldeserved retirement, Mixson believes in continuing to serve others through her philanthropy. “I’ve always felt I came in the world to be an educator and I want that to be true in all phases of life—even in retirement,” she says.
Her latest gift to Florida State University, the Dr. Imogene M. Mixson Endowed Scholarship in Educational Leadership, provides support to continue the training and education of teachers and administrators who will go on to lead schools, colleges and universities. This new scholarship in educational leadership joins the Dr. Imogene M. Mixson Endowed Scholarship in English Education as her second endowment at Florida State. She has fifteen scholarships awarded annually among seven educational institutions. That includes two high schools, two community colleges and three universities.
Mixson looks at her scholarships as a way of continuing to be an educator and doing what she refers to as “one small thing” to make the world a better place. She believes strongly in doings things for the common good to help as many people as possible.
“There’s never been any question in my mind about whether or not this kind of giving or this kind of educational support would be the right thing to do,” says Mixson. “I know that it is the right thing to do.”
Mixson has seen firsthand the kind of impact that giving has on both students and faculty and keeps careful track of the letters sent to her from all of those she supports.
“I have just stacks of letters of affirmation from faculty and students that these dollars are indeed making a difference. It gives me the assurance that this phase of life matters in a very positive way. These heartwarming responses inspire me to take personal action to enable others to have educational opportunities that can lead to a better quality of life and promote the common good. They also encourage me to achieve my personal commitment to lifelong learning and lifelong service.”
She sees her scholarships not only as financial support, but also a way of telling the recipients that she believes in them. She is hopeful that they serve as a reminder that there is someone in their corner, even if they never meet her personally, and they can make an impact on the world.
In addition to her educational support for students and faculty, Mixson also has a consistent pattern of helping numerous charities throughout the Wiregrass area and beyond. A lifelong active member of the United Methodist Church, she has supported numerous ministries, including the United Methodist Children’s home and various global ministries. Active in the local community, she is an avid supporter of the Ozark-Dale County Library where she has served on the Board of Directors for years, most often as treasurer.
“See, these people that I’m helping, I’m not looking for anything back from them. I’m looking for them to make their contributions and make the world a better place.”
Mixson continues to enjoy and appreciate her relationship with Florida State University. In addition to her association with the College of Education, she is a lifelong member of the Alumni Association, the Strozier Society and the Wescott Society and continues to make a positive impact wherever she goes. n
