By Kate Sundstrom

For 20 years, the NIRSA Foundation has carried on a tradition inspired by Sue Ivie Boling, retired Director from Virginia Commonwealth University and 2009 NIRSA Honor Award recipient. Sue thought it would be a fun twist on the annual T-shirt Competition to design and construct a quilt from winning T-shirts to raffle off. Originally, the quilt was auctioned off for a charity. At the inception of the NIRSA Foundation, the proceeds from the raffle went to the Foundation in support of scholarships.

Over the years, depending on the state where the NIRSA Annual Conference has been located, the quilt has been both raffled or sold via auction with the proceeds benefitting the Foundation.  Recipients of this one-of-a-kind quilt have displayed the iconic prize at their campus or in their homes. A quilt is proudly displayed at NIRSA Headquarters as a reminder of the numerous campuses the Association serves. This year’s conference marks the end of an era with our last quilt raffle.

A number of quilters have had their hands on designing, constructing, and putting the finishing touches on the quilts over the years:

  • Sue Ivie Boling, Virginia Commonwealth University (retired), 1987–1990
  • Paula Opal, Texas A&M University, 1991–2004
  • Jacque Hamilton, Texas A&M–Corpus Christi, 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2012
  • Roy Easley, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (retired), 2006, 2008, 2010–2011, 2013–2015

This year’s quilt has been designed and constructed by none other than our own Mama Lee Wasson!

We are so very grateful to our quilters whose time, commitment, and laborious talents have been instrumental in raising money for the NIRSA Foundation. They have been supporting the Foundation’s mission of enhancing the collegiate recreation profession for years.

Who will be this year’s lucky winner?

For your convenience, stop by the NIRSA Foundation Table to view this magnificent piece of artwork designed by Mrs. Lee Wasson. Tickets may be purchased from the Foundation Table and from scholarship recipients. Tickets are $1 each, $5 for six, or $10 for 15. They will be sold until the start of the Closing General Session on Wednesday, April 6 where the winner will be announced. We look forward to your help in celebrating this 20-year tradition!

 

For more information about the NIRSA Foundation Quilt, please contact NIRSA Director of Philanthropy Kate Sundstrom.