A Continuing Love for the Arts

If there was one thing Iowa State University lacked while Doris Riehm was a student on campus in the 1940s, it was a focus on the arts.

In the years since, the current Tucson resident has attempted to put more focus on the arts through her philanthropy.

“The arts keep your interest going in things other than what you’re studying,” said Riehm. Since graduating from Iowa State in 1942 with a bachelor’s degree in child development, Riehm has been an active contributor to Iowa State. She has supported a multitude of programs, but one fund in particular has been a favorite for the past 35 years.

The Alvin Edgar Fund for the Performing Arts not only focuses on Riehm’s desire to elevate the arts at Iowa State, it also has roots from her days on campus as an undergraduate.

“I worked for Dr. Edgar while I was in college,” Riehm says, “and when a fund was established in his name, I knew I wanted to help support the performing arts.”

The Alvin Edgar Fund for the Performing Arts was established in 1973 by friends and associates of the longtime Iowa State music faculty member to assure that his name would continue to be identified with the campus’ cultural life. Edgar was the head of the department of music for 13 years and a faculty member for 38. During his tenure he served as director for the Symphony Orchestra and director of concerts.

Edgar was actively involved in a number of Ames cultural events including the Town and Gown Concert Series, the Ames International Orchestra Festival Association and the Celebrity Concert Series. He was the president of the Iowa Bandmasters Association, Iowa Music Teachers Association and the College Band Directors National Association.

The Edgar Fund continues to enhance the performing arts to this day by providing support for the department of music and the Iowa State theatre and dance programs above and beyond that which is available from department budgets, student fees and ticket sales. The program annually supports 15 different performances.

“The fund brings in world-class artists and working professionals,” said Michael Golemo, chair of the department of music. “These interactions are a wonderful opportunity for our students to get a perspective other than what they get in a classroom.

“For example, when the National Symphony Orchestra was on campus a few years ago, four principal players from that ensemble worked with our students. That experience wouldn’t have been possible for the students without the Edgar Fund.”

The department of music works collaboratively with other Ames arts organizations to bring in special artists while utilizing Edgar Fund resources. So a guest conductor for the Central Iowa Symphony may also stop by the Music Hall to meet and work with Iowa State music students.

“Without this fund and the cooperation of other arts organizations in the community, many of these events absolutely wouldn’t happen. We just don’t have the budget to bring in these types of world-class artists without private support like the Edgar Fund,” Golemo said.

Riehm didn’t have that same opportunity to partake in the arts while she was a student at Iowa State. A trombone player in the Iowa State band, she says she had been interested in music from her high school days. “When you grow up in a little town in Iowa, music in high school is one of the few activities that inspire people to think about broader issues.”

She expanded her interest in music by working as Edgar’s assistant during her four years on campus. She even babysat for his daughter on a number of occasions and was able to observe Edgar’s love of teaching and interest in his students.

“I soon became aware of the relationship Dr. Edgar had with his students,” she said. “He was so interested in his students. He seemed to inspire many of us to be our best — not only as musicians, but also in life in general.

“How does a professor inspire his students? They become interested in them as a person and get to know their professional desires. I think he was unusual in that respect.”

Edgar and Riehm remained friends long after she graduated from Iowa State. He would visit Riehm and her husband in New York City. She remains close to Edgar’s daughter, Margaret McWilliams.

So it was natural that when a fund was established in Edgar’s name at Iowa State, Riehm would take a leading role.

“Dr. Edgar taught me a lot and he cared about me and other students,” she said. “Giving back and allowing his name to be carried forward to future generations of musicians and performing artists is a small way we can honor him.”