The van Steenderen Family Atrium Endowment

Martha (Marty) van Steenderen

Martha (Marty) van Steenderen joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the fall of 1961 as an Assistant Professor of Physical Education with the special assignment of directing the Women’s Recreation Association.  Marty seized this opportunity to dedicate her life to providing and improving athletic opportunities for women.  Under her direction, the women’s athletic program grew from a casual intramural structure to an intercollegiate athletic program including nine varsity sports. 

Marty was a founding member of the Wisconsin Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WWIAC), served as its president in 1978, and helped make WWIAC one of the top National Collegiete Association Division III conferences in the nation by the mid-1980’s.  Marty also found time to begin the annual Lady Warhawk Golf Fundraisers, serve on the Affirmative Action Committee, and to author Bowling for Fun and Accuracy.  Until her retirement in 1989, Marty continued as a full-time faculty member of the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. 

The Marty van Steenderen Award was created from funds she generously donated.  The award is presented to outstanding Physical Eduation-Teaching Licensure majors.  Her generousity extended to the arts as well.  To honor her family Marty donated a portion of her funds to refurbish the Atrium of the Greenhill Center of the Arts.  Her great aunt, Isabel Moore Kimball, sculpted “The Merchild” figure, which graces the fountain located in the Atrium.