Ramsden leaves a legacy of dedication and inspiration

Throughout Ginger Ramsden's career, she has worn many hats: kindergarten teacher, member of numerous boards and committees concerning early childhood education, and as the former director of the Center for Education Services and Partnerships in Outreach and Engagement.  She worked at USI for nearly 24 years before retiring in 2012. During her leadership, USI's Children's Learning Center added a classroom for two-year-olds, the Super Summer program for children expanded, as did the College Achievement Program (CAP).

She recently added another honor to her achievements, the Sapphire Award for Individual Impact from 4C of Southern Indiana, a child care resource and referral agency.

Her mark can be felt by those whom she has helped and those who have been fortunate enough to work with her. "She took the time to give me more responsibility and push me along to help me become more confident and gain different skills," said Jaclyn Dumond, manager of school partnerships. "Not every boss sees potential in their staff and finds places for them to grow and flourish and encourages them to get involved in other things."

"People would always come and ask her for advice," said Dana Drury, program coordinator. "She was like Lucy off of Peanuts. People would seek her out and she always knew the right thing to say. She was very nurturing and caring."

"Ginger was a pleasure to work with because she always had a positive attitude, was a terrific mentor, leader and employee, and established a tremendous legacy for children's programs and dual credit programs at USI," said Mark Bernhard, associate provost of Outreach and Engagement.  "She is exemplary in every way."

Colleagues rarely mention Ginger's name without an accompanying "Ginger story." It seems that adventures as well as misadventures often accompany her. One example is when she led the first Super Summer program and agreed to assist the instructor in her "What's Inside Your Body" class by picking up cow parts at Dewig's Meats in Haubstadt, Indiana. The first biological study was eyes, so Ramden picked up 12 frozen cow eyeballs, which were given to her in a Chinese takeout box. During her drive she was cut off by a car and the container flew over and opened. "All the eyeballs were rolling on the floor," said Ramsden. "I'm trying to drive and I'm screaming. I'm trying to figure out where to pull off the road and what I didn't know was there was a sheriff behind me, and he pulled me over for erratic driving. I told him it was because of the eyeballs and he started to reach for his pistol." After explaining why she had eyeballs rolling around her floor board, the amused officer donned rubber gloves, gathered up the eyes and put them back in the container for her.

Despite the mishap, it illustrates the lengths Ramsden would go to in order to benefit children's education. "It didn't matter what it was, if it was going to be something beneficial to kids she would do it," said Dumond. "She's the most productive, hardest worker, and that's how she was able to get so many initiatives going. She was tireless."

So how does someone with boundless energy and a zest for life spend her days after retirement? She continues to volunteer her time to Outreach and Engagement, as well as community organizations, such as 4C and Evansville Arc. She also keeps her mind sharp and body active by playing bridge, golfing, traveling with her husband of 46 years, Don, to visit her children in Alabama and California and line dancing. "I like meeting new people in new environments," she said. "Line dancing makes my brain think and my feet move. There are a lot of little old ladies who can boogie," she said.

Ramsden compares retirement to having a knee replacement. "You know when it's time. I feel so good about leaving Jaclyn and the team because they were ready to soar."

Dumond realizes that although Ramsden's shoes were big ones to fill, she and her staff were inspired to mirror some of what they learned from her. "We are more willing to see how we can make things work and find ways to collaborate, and that's the legacy of Ginger," she said.