Halvorsen, Karen Rae (09/24/1939–08/20/1989).
Karen was an active and successful undergraduate at Grinnell. Graduating in 1961 with a B.A. in history, she established an excellent academic record: she was a member of the freshmen women’s honorary society (Tassels, 1958-59), the senior women’s honorary society (Mortar Board, 1960-61) and Phi Beta Kappa (1961). In her senior year she received the Alumni Association Senior Award and the Ladies Education Society’s Citizenship Award. Karen held leadership positions in student government: residence hall governance (Read Hall Baffleboard, 1958-59), president of the women’s governing body (A.W. S. Board, 1960-61) and ex officio member of the overall student government body (Student Council, 1960-61). She was active in the YWCA and the local drama group (Grinnell Players) and was a member of Women’s Honor G that recognized scholastic ability and participation in intramural sports and other extracurricular activities.
After obtaining a MAT degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1963, family responsibilities encouraged her to remain in California. She taught in several California high schools through early 1981 with a hiatus of several years in the administration of the Quail Lodge in Carmel, California.
From 1981 through 1984 she was in the administration of the University of Washington Medical School in Seattle. In 1984 she moved into administration at Stanford University, first with its Department of Dermatology and then with the Office of the Provost, where she worked until her death in 1989. Her titles did not always indicate the important roles she played at Stanford. At her memorial service Karen was eulogized as someone who made a huge difference not only in what she accomplished but also for her humanity and skill in bringing out the best in her staff.
Karen was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 24, 1939. She developed a rare form of cancer in 1988, but she remained optimistic and did not share her condition with many of her friends and colleagues. Karen died of cancer at Stanford University Hospital on August 20, 1989. (Provost’s Office staffer Karen Halvorsen dies, Stanford Univ. Campus Report (Sept. 30, 1989).)
