Hobart and William Smith Colleges

January 5, 2025

Dear Members of HWS Community,

I am saddened to share the news of the passing of retired Professor of Political Science Iva Deutchman, a vibrant member of the Hobart and William Smith community whose tireless dedication to our students and graduates made a lasting impact on the Colleges. 

Professor Deutchman’s impressive tenure at HWS began in 1987, and over the next 32 years, she dedicated herself to shaping the academic lives of students and the intellectual life of our campus. In addition to her teaching and scholarship, Professor Deutchman committed herself to faculty governance of the institution chairing the Committee on Academic Affairs, as well as the Honors Committee, serving on the Grievance Committee, and chairing the Political Science Department. She founded our campus chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national honor society for political science.

An expert on Modern Conservatism and U.S. Politics, Professor Deutchman’s work was widely published in academic journals and featured in national and local media. Her scholarship informed her dynamic teaching in courses such as “Introduction to American Politics,” “Modern American Conservatism,” “Media and Politics,” “Sex and Power,” and “Campaigns and Elections.” 

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to co-teach her “Campaigns and Elections” course and I learned a great deal from her as I observed her engaging presence in the classroom.  Through her classes and seminars, she challenged students to think critically, engage deeply, and see the world through multiple perspectives.

Her colleagues appreciated this engagement as Professor of Sociology Renee Monson recalls: “Early in my career, Iva kindly invited me to observe a session of her “Sex and Power” course. I listened to her deliver a masterful 90-minute overview of the core tenets of second wave feminism, complete with detailed and accurate descriptions of specific debates about pornography and sexual expression—all delivered without any reliance on lecture notes. Her students, and I, were riveted.” 

In 2007, Professor Deutchman co-founded our flagship program, Day on the Hill, with Associate Professor of Politics DeWayne Lucas. This transformative program continues to provide students with a firsthand view of politics and policy in Washington, D.C., and has launched countless careers in public service, law, and beyond. 

Beyond her professional achievements, Professor Deutchman’s passion for teaching and mentoring was her hallmark. Her office in Stern Hall became a second home to many students, who benefited from her academic guidance, encouragement, and wisdom. She supervised numerous Honors projects, Senior Symposium presentations and independent studies, leaving a lasting legacy in the lives of her students. 

Professor Lucas aptly conveys the meaningful impact Professor Deutchman had on our campus: “Since the moment I first stepped onto campus, Iva has been a guiding presence at HWS. Iva was, above all, an unwavering advocate for her students. She championed their experiences both on and off campus, encouraging them to pursue a political world that embraced a spectrum of perspectives—conservative, liberal, and everything in between. Her classrooms were as demanding as they were sought-after, filled with students eager to understand the political. Writing assignments took weeks and multiple drafts to perfect, and every seat was always taken. Yet what truly endeared her to so many students was her genuine investment in their personal and academic growth. She cared deeply about their stories, celebrated their accomplishments, and helped them to build bright futures.”

“For those of us who knew her, Iva was both our most steadfast ally and our most blunt critic—the first to champion our efforts and the one to tell us, without hesitation, when she believed we were in the wrong. She spoke her mind with unfiltered honesty, never shying away from her truth. She was no-nonsense, fiercely opinionated, and deeply passionate about her beliefs. Yet, those who embraced her friendship understood that this honesty and directness always came from a place of love and support.”

I join with Professor Lucas in affirming that those who knew Professor Deutchman will always remember her unmistakable laugh echoing through the halls of Stern Hall, her vibrant personality, intellectual rigor and boundless support for her students that made her an unforgettable presence on our campus. 

Details about her memorial service will be shared as they become available. Our thoughts are with Iva’s family, friends, and all who had the privilege of learning from and working alongside her.

Sincerely,

Mark D. Gearan
President