From the fall 2008 issue of UConn Momentum
Although neither Jeanne H. Bartman ’43 nor Raymond Bartman, Jr. ’41 majored in family studies, they decided that was the area where they wanted to make a difference. The Bartman Scholarship in Family Studies was created for sophomores, juniors and seniors who need financial assistance and are committed to helping families cope with the challenges they face.
“It is our hope that the broad field of family studies will interest men and women to study problems and help with solutions which will once again strengthen the well-being of the family,” says Mr. Bartman. “We believe that strong family ties strengthen the culture of a country and in turn help to build a stronger and more cohesive society.”
“We hope that our very small gift will assist students complete their education. We hope that their training will enable them to work for change in guiding and influencing our diverse population to once more understand the value of the strong family unit and its benefit to our entire society,” adds Mrs. Bartman. Ronald Sabatelli, professor and head of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, explains that the Bartmans’ gift will help students go on to become human service providers, educators, counselors and therapists.
“In this day and age, it is apparent that the strength of our society is tied to the strengths present within families. As such, I am extremely grateful to the Bartmans for their effort to make a generative impact on our society through the support of students committed to working in the service of individuals and families,” says Sabatelli.
The Bartmans, who wed in 1944, credit their educations for their successful careers. Mrs. Bartman earned a bachelor’s degree in clothing textile and interior design, and went on to be a teacher and curriculum consultant. Mr. Bartman started at UConn in 1937, and then returned in the mid-1940s after serving in the U.S. Army. After earning a degree in electrical engineering, Mr. Bartman joined Hughes Aircraft, where he worked on instruments for the U.S. space program.
In addition to their educations, the Bartmans are grateful for the extracurricular activities that taught them valuable skills and introduced them to each other and many lifelong friends. Mrs. Bartman was a member of Delta Chi Omega (now Kappa Kappa Gamma), 4-H, the student orchestra and the cheerleading squad. Mr. Bartman was a soccer player and a member of Sigma Phi Gamma (now Sigma Alpha Epsilon), the Engineers Club, and the Husky Network—UConn’s first broadcasting service.
The Bartmans are impressed by UConn’s transformation from a small Connecticut college to a nationally recognized institution.
“We have watched with interest the development of the small college from which we graduated to the great university which it has become. Now UConn is known throughout the academic world for its progress in research and innovative programs. And it is known for its outstanding athletic teams,” says Mr. Bartman. “We are pleased to be a small part of UConn’s growth.”
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