Chamness, Ivy Leone

Ivy Leone Chamness was an Indiana University alumna who worked with University Publications and the university's alumni magazine from 1914 until her retirement in 1952.

Ivy Leone Chamness was born on 3 December 1881, in Hagerstown, Indiana. She attended Hagerstown High School and graduated in 1900. She then attended Indiana University in Bloomington and graduated with an A.B. in journalism in 1906. Upon graduation Chamness taught high school in Carlisle and Newcastle, as well as Wayne County, Indiana, from 1906-1911. She relocated to Indianapolis where she served as a proof reader and editorial assistant in the law department of Bobbs-Merill Company from 1911-1914.

Upon her return to Bloomington in 1914, Chamness became Assistant Editor of University Publications at IU, a position she held from 1914-1917. She would become Head Editor of University Publications in 1917. During that time Chamness also served as Assistant Editor of the IU Alumni Quarterly. She was promoted to Associate Editor in 1919 and finally Editor in 1921. She served in this position until 1938. Chamness then worked as Associate Editor of the magazine, now called the Indiana Alumni Magazine, until her retirement in 1952. In her spare time she was a contributor to a variety of newspapers and periodicals.

Aside from her career, Chamness was actively involved in community and national affairs. She served as President of the American Association of University Women (Bloomington Branch) from 1922-23, the Women’s Faculty Club and Theta Sigma Pi Alumnae in Bloomington. She was also a member of the League of Women Voters and the Indiana Historical Society.

Ivy Chamness received the University’s Distinguished Alumni Service Award upon her retirement in 1952 and was named Emeritus Editor of University Publications at IU the following year. She was recognized by the AAUW in 1968 with the establishment of a national fellowship; the organization described Chamness as a “gracious, charming, treasured acquaintance and friend.” She died at her home in Bloomington on 28 May 1975 and was buried in her home town of Hagerstown, Indiana.