Webster University’s Daniel Webster Society Annual Dinner

Webster University held its annual Daniel Webster Society Dinner at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel’s Khorassan Ballroom, Wednesday, November 5, 2014. The evening not only recognized the commitment of the university’s top donors to the scholarship program but also marked another occasion to celebrate the year-long journey towards Webster’s 100th anniversary.

The night did belong to the arts and francophile culture. Dr. Julian Z. Schuster hosted a French themed trivia contest, played at each table, to set the tone. Then he shared some perspectives on Webster’s first 100 years before turning the program over to Todd Kohlbecker, MA ’93, president of the Daniel Webster Society, and Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble, to present the 2014 Visionary Awards to Jean Hobler and Jane Robert, BA ’69, and Bruce Robert. Afterwards, the Stars of Tomorrow Performers enchanted the audience with a toe-tapping, stirring routine.

Since the Daniel Webster Society Dinner will take a hiatus in 2015 because of the 100th Anniversary Gala, this year the university decided to honor two of its outstanding supporters, Jean Hobler and Jane and Bruce Robert. The Visionary Award was established to recognize the unwavering commitment of individuals who have proven indispensable in helping advance the institutional mission of Webster University. Webster is pleased to present the Visionary Awards to Jean Hobler and Jane and Bruce Robert in recognition of their decades of committing their professional passion, expertise, artistic enrichment and philanthropy with Webster. Their example embodies what it means to share your time, talent and treasure in unwavering commitment to Webster’s mission.

Jane Hobler began her love affair with dance as a child and took dance classes throughout childhood, continuing to practice in her adult life.

Her story of devotion to Webster University began when, as a proud Webster parent, Jean and her late husband Wells Hobler’s son Edward attended Webster University and their daughter Linnard (Nardi) graduated with her Bachelor inn Art Media at Webster University’s College of Fine Arts in 1970. Their daughter Leigh currently is enrolled in Webster’s Master’s in Professional Counseling program.

Jean’s friendship with Leigh Gerdine, namesake of the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts, treasured leader of the arts at Webster University and the St. Louis community, served as the catalyst from which she engaged in her deep personal relationship with Webster University. In 1986, Jean and Wells became Charter Members of the Daniel Webster Society. During 1987, Jean’s friends, Leigh Gerdine and George Herbert Walker III, invited her to join the Board of Trustees, on which Jean maintained her service leadership for nearly two decades.

In 1999, Jean and Wells initiated conversations with Peter Sargent, Dean of the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts, and Webster University’s executive leadership to begin development of the idea to fund generously a portion of the expansion of the Loretto-Hilton Center. Their desire revolved around benefiting and enhancing the excellent dance instruction of the department led by Gary Hubler and Beckah (Voight) Reed. This exapnsion, as Jean made her intent clear, was not providing a “bricks and mortar” named opportunity for her and Wells. They wanted to ensure an improved social environment, including improving the Summer Dance Institute for the underserved youth; the proper, above ground facilities to offer a studio that allows for observation; and the space needed for teachers. They gave the supreme gift of the Jean and Wells Hobler Center for Dance, an impetus for growth with gorgeous natural lighting through windows and skylights.

“We always loved to dance”, commented Jean in a 2007 interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “and this floor in the Loretto-Hilton dedicated to dance truly has provided a home”, a place to study and relax between classes that encourages and inspires students.

Scholarship support remains a priority to Jean. She has donated a two-time Daniel Webster Society Annual Scholarship, having financed support to dance student, Abby Ellison, BFA ’14. During lunch with Jean and Abby in 2012, Abby mentioned how excited she always feels to have the opportunity to thank Jean.

A dedicated philanthropic leader on the College of Arts & Sciences Advisory Board and long-time DWS member, Jane Robert began her collegiate studies at Webster University, earning her BA in French Language and Literature in 1969.

Currently a member of Webster’s Board of Trustees, Jane has stated on numerous occasions that the defining point in her life involved her year-long study trip to Paris, made possible by a scholarship arranged by a Webster University Professor, Jacques Chicoineau (1919-2004). This turning point helped shape Jane’s professional and personal initiatives.

Her studies in France paired with her robust career pursuits as educator and cultural and civic leader remain the mainstays of the financial support that Jane and her husband Bruce have provided to Webster over the past 20+ years. Bruce always credits the educational opportunities that they have received in St. Louis for instilling their interest in the world and putting them on a successful path. Bruce’s advocacy for education, combined with Jane’s passion for French, led to their creation of an International Relations thesis prize, and their decision to establish Webster’s first endowed professorship in 2010.

“People who are donors do not give money away, they invest”, Jane has stated of their giving. “We felt that every dollar we gave to Webster would come back a thousand-fold, with good students and good citizens in the community.” Completing this endowment in 2014, Jane and Bruce have brought Jane’s sentiment to life through the Jane M. and Bruce Robert Endowed Professorship in French and Francophone Studies.

Since its creation under the leadership of Inaugural Robert Professor of French and Francophone Studies, Lionel Cuille’, Le Centre Francophone, developed an online hybrid course with a study trip to Nice, France and a dual-credit partnership with Ritenour High School. It has brought experts to lead discussions on topics of contemporary importance in a global context.

Le Centre Francophone also includes community engagement as well as human rights studies and awareness. From engaging Webster’s French students in the community by reading children’s books-in French-to students of the St. Louis Language Immersion Schools, to sponsoring and hosting The International Art Exhibition of St. Louis-Lyon Sister Cities, Inc., this work is positioning Webster as a hub for French culture and engagement in St. Louis. When possible, Webster’s French students are invited to programs for which Cuille’ presents as a field expert and are introduced to dignitaries such as the Consul General de France.

The financial support of the Robert Professorship, along with Webster and Jane and Bruce Robert’s structural latitude for program development, have provided real freedom for Cuille’s innovation and allowed Le Centre to influence both the intellectual lives of growing cohorts of Webster’s French students and countless others in the community.

Webster University, a worldwide institution, ensures high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global leadership and individual excellence. Webster is approaching its centennial year with a vision to make a global impact over the next century.