The Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum of Regional Art, the result of the largest donation to Southeastern Illinois College, opened Friday, Aug. 23, 2019 delighting the more than 500 visitors on hand to take part in the grand opening. Hise and his brother, the late Air Force Brig. Hise, who wished to honor their late sister Ella Elizabeth Hise, who was a pioneer in art education in Illinois and began her
career in Harrisburg Public School. Ella Elizabeth Hise was born on a farm near Omaha April 14, 1908. The family moved to Harrisburg in 1918, and she graduated from Harrisburg Township High School in 1926. The same year, she entered Southern Illinois Normal University, and in 1928 she earned a two-year teaching certificate. She began teaching fourth grade in Harrisburg, which continued until she became art supervisor for the school system. She continued as art supervisor until 1947. She later became art supervisor at the Effingham and Bond County Schools and a member of the extension and workshop faculty of Eastern Illinois State College. She worked closely with the Illinois Department of Education, where she served on virtually every committee devoted to art progression in elementary and secondary schools. In 1948, Gov. Dwight H. Green appointed her to be the Superintendent of the Art and Textile Division of the first post-World War II Illinois State Fair. On opening day of that fair, she received nationwide recognition by showing the innovation of American women in designing and using feed sacks for dress material when materials for civilian clothing were in short supply due to the war effort. In 1945, she became an active member of the national honorary educational society Delta Kappa Gamma. She helped to organize Psi chapter in Harrisburg and Alpha Pi in Effingham. She served as president of both chapters and as the State Corresponding Secretary from 1953-1955. She served as president of the Women’s Association of the Illinois Education Association in 1953. She received her undergraduate degree from SIU and a Master’s Degree in Education from University of Illinois. She died on Aug. 27, 1962, after a long illness. The Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum of Regional Art is open Tuesday- Friday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., the first Sunday of the month from 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. and by appointment and during special events. For more information contact 252-5400 ext. 2536, [email protected], or visit sic.edu/hisemuseum.
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