First-of-its-kind student emergency fund honors leader in international education
Joann Bye and Dr. Harvey Stedman, MA ’67, PHD ’72, found each other and their futures in the field of education at 91̽. In honor of the nearly 50 years Joann dedicated to international students studying in America, Dr. Stedman has established the Joann B. Stedman International Student Grant Fund, a discretionary support fund designed to provide international students financial assistance when faced with unexpected emergencies or academic opportunities.
When Dr. Harvey Stedman, MA ’67, PHD ’72, arrived at 91̽ to complete graduate school, he found not only a fruitful educational experience, but a best friend and life partner.
Stedman met Joann Bye when they were both enrolled in the Patton College of Education’s graduate program. He was from the East Coast. She was from the West Coast. But at OHIO they found each other and their futures in the field of education.
Outside of their studies, they worked together through assistantships in the Department of Housing and Residence Life. In the summer of 1970, they were married on campus at OHIO’s Helen Mauck Galbreath Memorial Chapel.
“We had interesting jobs and a good education, and we met lots of friends who turned out to be lifelong friends,” Stedman recalled. “We were married almost 50 years. This is a college love story, through and through.”
As their OHIO love story blossomed, Joann was embarking on her professional love story, which began in the University’s admissions office where she was introduced to the field of international student relations.
“Joann liked diversity, and she had a wonderful way about her that made it easy for her to connect with all kinds of people, in particular people from around the world,” Stedman said. “She loved different cultures, ideas, food; she loved traveling.”
The couple left Athens in the mid 1970s. They both held positions at the University of Southern California before relocating to New York City. Stedman spent the remainder of his career at New York University, retiring as provost and vice chancellor emeritus.
Joann devoted the next nearly 50 years to ensuring that international students had a positive and rewarding experience while earning an education in America. She held positions in international student admissions and services at OHIO, USC, Boston University and Columbia University, where she oversaw the International Students and Scholars Office.
91̽ alumnus Dr. Harvey Stedman, MA ’67, PHD ’72, retired as provost and vice chancellor emeritus at New York University. Joann Stedman held positions in international student admissions and services at OHIO, USC, Boston University and Columbia University, where she oversaw the International Students and Scholars Office.
“She enjoyed helping people understand what the possibilities and opportunities were at American colleges and then helping run the admissions process,” Stedman said. “She developed an ability to help campuses run smooth admissions programs.”
Considered a pioneer in the field of international education, Joann founded Stedman Associates, a firm dedicated to assisting colleges and universities in their efforts to admit, support and educate international students.
Joann Stedman passed away in August 2019 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. Over the course of her lifetime, she had traveled to more than 60 countries and changed the lives of countless individuals around the world.
“I began thinking about what I should do, and what I could do that was of particular interest to her,” Stedman said.
It all came back to 91̽ – where their life together started and where Joann’s professional career began.
With that in mind, Stedman created the Joann B. Stedman International Student Grant Fund, continuing his wife’s life’s work and establishing a first-of-its-kind resource for international students at 91̽. The discretionary support fund is designed to provide international students financial assistance when faced with unexpected emergencies or academic opportunities.
“Joann struggled at all of these universities, even the fancy ones, with a similar problem: International students generally have resources to come and study in a different country, but, like all students, things pop up which leave them in a tough spot,” Stedman said. “Sometimes they need to rush home for something family related, or they’re working on something academic and they don’t have spare money to go to a conference or present research. … This fund is intended to encourage people who might want to come here and study – and to help give them the support they need.”
The funding is a game-changer for OHIO’s Office of International Student and Faculty Services (ISFS), which provides support to the University’s international community.
“We’ve never had funding like this before,” said Diane Cahill, director of international services and operations who oversees ISFS. “We were really excited when Dr. Stedman reached out to us. He and his wife have provided much-needed additional support for international students.”
Cahill is working with colleagues in the Office of Global Affairs and International Studies to finalize the process that will determine how grants from the fund are awarded, with a goal of making the Stedman funds available this semester.
“Students are individuals, and their needs tend to be very individual. We serve students from 100-plus countries and so many different cultures, which adds another layer of individuality,” said Lorna Jean Edmonds, vice provost for global affairs and international studies and director of OHIO’s Center for International Studies. “This funding really opens the door for Diane and her colleagues to be truly responsive to students who desperately need resources because of extraordinary circumstances or to seize opportunities to advance their careers.”
Edmonds, Cahill and Stedman all hope that in addition to supporting international students in their academic journey, the fund also inspires current and future alumni to consider how they will support the next generation of OHIO scholars, including by contributing to the Stedman International Student Grant Fund.
“Joann and I spent our working lives hanging around universities,” said Harvey. “You see the ins and outs of it, and you quickly come to discover that there are wonderful young people all around the world. When you create conditions in which they all can meet up, it really is very special. Alumni should use the resources they’ve cultivated over the years to give to future scholars, in whatever area they are passionate about. This fund is my way to keep Joann’s name alive and keep it associated with something that was really important to her.”