Nancy Parlin '52's Legacy Continues to Provide for Excellence in Education
Greta Cunningham ‘23, Communications Intern
March 25, 2025
During her time at Derham Hall, Nancy Parlin '52 made an impact through both her academics and her many involvements as a student; she was the head of the Girls Athletic Association and other leadership positions. She went on to receive her PhD and spent her career in higher education. Her life of faith and service, formed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, was a hallmark of her decades of dedication working with students. Parlin passed away in 2023.
“Her years at Derham Hall were very happy,” said her sister Pat Parlin Caponi ’48. “She was active in student leadership and the friends that she kept in touch with all throughout her life were the girls she met at Derham and the sisters who she admired greatly as her teachers.”
When Parlin passed away in 2023, the Nancy Parlin ’52 Scholarship Endowment was established. The endowment provides tuition assistance for deserving female students at Cretin-Derham Hall, an extension of her lifelong dedication to women’s education.
Belief in the Changing Power of Education, Especially for Women
“Education was of huge value to her, not only for her herself but for young people,” said Pat. “She saw it as something of great value for young people as they’re starting out in their lives. It was one of her core values.”
In 1956, Parlin completed her undergraduate degree at the College of St. Catherine, after which she received a Master of Arts from St. Louis University and a PhD in sociology from the University of Minnesota.
She taught at Fontbonne College and St. Kate’s, was a professor and dean at Moorhead State University, and was a professor and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She was the first woman to serve as Vice-Chancellor at any of the University of Wisconsin system schools.
“It was a battle for her in some ways because they were not ready to have a woman in that position,” said Pat. “The male administrators would try to set up meetings on the golf course in the afternoon when the men’s league played, so she had to work through that and get it changed. She demanded more from older male faculty members who had gotten comfortable hiding out at their desks all day. She required the best work from everyone under her and supported her professors in every way.”
Parlin was originally reluctant to stop working with students directly but believed she could impact more students, thousands instead of hundreds, if she took on a leadership position.
“I think she felt an obligation as a strong, intelligent woman, to take those steps for other women,” said her niece, Sue Arvidson, a parent of three CDH graduates. “When I was hesitant to move into leadership in my own work, she was the one who encouraged me and taught me how I could reach more people that way. She created those opportunities for herself to make them available for others.”
Parlin also encouraged Arvidson to send her three children to CDH.
“As a higher ed administrator, she believed that if students had a really solid foundation, they could go anywhere for college and be successful,” said Arvidson. “I really took that to heart, and we made the investment to put our kids through CDH largely because of that notion. She told me that if they had that solid foundation, they’d get a fantastic education wherever they went next because they’d be ready to receive it.”
Heart of Service
Beyond her work in education, Parlin was dedicated to service and social justice. She worked with Habitat for Humanity, cared for hospice patients, and volunteered with the Peace Corps. When she taught in St. Louis, she brought her students to sit-ins during the Civil Rights Movement.
“She had this heart of service that always seemed to be without judgment,” said Arvidson. “Sometimes people serve because they think they’re a bit better, but that was never what she brought to it. She was always just asking herself what she could give. We talk a lot about privilege, and I think my aunt understood that concept long before it was a buzzword. She wanted to use her privilege to do good in this world.”
At her parish in River Falls, she was a communion minister, advocated for solar panels to be added to the church roof, and helped serve free meals to anyone who needed them.
“She really was dedicated to trying to make things better for people,” said Pat. “She'd cook and do dishes, whatever was needed. She really felt that they were building community. Some of the folks who came for free meals were kind of isolated, so, beyond food, she wanted to provide them with connection.”
In 1990, CDH awarded Parlin with the Hugh Derham Award, which is awarded annually to a Derham Hall alum who embodies the Sisters of St. Joseph’s call to love the dear neighbor without distinction. Most recently she was awarded the Richard R. Engler Lifetime Achievement Award.
“She really believed her faith-based education had been the foundation for her,” said Arvidson. “She had such fond memories from her time at Derham Hall and felt such pride in being part of a community with so many opportunities for leadership, strong academics, and a fusion of faith throughout.”
$200,000 Nancy Parlin, PhD ’52 Title IX Challenge
Last year, Cretin-Derham Hall announced the Campaign for Raider Excellence to improve health and wellness facilities, the Joe Mauer Field House, the fitness center, and outdoor facilities. The campaign continues to raise money for vital tuition assistance and scholarships.
The campaign features the $200,000 Nancy Parlin, PhD ’52 Title IX Challenge.
A unique part of the Campaign for Raider Excellence is the Title IX Challenge. The campaign is supports renovations to school sports facilities, along with tuition assistance. With her challenge, CDH is also celebrating the legacy of Title IX and women’s sports. Title IX was a landmark gender equity law passed with the Education Amendments of 1972 to ban sex discrimination in federally funded education programs. In addition to increasing women’s access to education, it also significantly increased women’s involvement in athletics through school. The commitment of CDH to these same goals shows in our programming and staff support. CDH has the only Athletic Director in the state of Minnesota responsible for the growth and development of female athletes and 51% of all student athletes are female.
Through the generosity of the estate of Nancy Parlin ’52, all donations to the Title IX Challenge will be matched up to $200,000. Currently, the CDH community has raised over $150,000 toward the match. We invite you to support this fund to help exceed the goal and enhance the opportunities for our students today and for generations to come!
Your gift to CDH impacts each student, by allowing us to continue our commitment to vital tuition assistance and merit scholarships for our students and upgrade campus areas that impact our students' experience every day but are nearing the end of their functional life through the
Campaign for Raider Excellence.