The Life and Times of Lyle M. Spencer
On a Mission
Presidential History
Name that Board Member
A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That
100

Spencer was born in this city and state on May 10, 1911.

What is Atlanta, Georgia?

100

Spencer said of his hopes for the Foundation: "All" of this "was earned improbably from education. It makes sense, therefore, that most of this [redacted] should be returned eventually to investigating ways in which education can be improved, around the world. Broadly conceived, wherever learning occurs."

What is Spencer dough?

100

The Spencer Foundation has had this many presidents since it was founded.

What is six?

100

They currently serve as the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board.

Who are Pamela Grossman and Richard Murnane?

100

The Foundation awarded its first grants in this year. Other notable events that took place in this year include the opening of the first Starbucks in Seattle, the defeat of Muhammad Ali by Joe Frazier, the launch of both Southwest Airlines and Amtrak, and the opening of Walt Disney World in Florida.

What is 1971?

200

Spencer spent much of his childhood in this city and state, which overlooks Fox River and is home to Lawrence University. 

What is Appleton, Wisconsin?

200

The following statement serves as this for the Foundation: We believe education research is integral to improving education, making education systems more equitable, and increasing opportunities to learn across the lifespan.

What is Spencer's motivation?

200

He is The Spencer Foundation's longest serving president, serving from 1970 to 1985.

Who was H. Thomas James?

200

Her research is multidisciplinary and uses a variety of asset-based conceptual frameworks—funds of knowledge, community cultural wealth and the forms of capital—and of statistical approaches—econometric models, multilevel models, spatial analyses and GIS, and social network analysis—to study the educational and occupational trajectories of marginalized students.

Who is Cecilia Rios-Aguilar?

200

The Spencer Foundation was incorporated in this year. Other notable events that took place in this year include: 1) the first black student, James Meredith, registered at the University of Mississippi; 2) the Cuban Missile Crisis started in this year; 3) the animated sitcom the Jetsons premiered on ABC; and 4) Bob Dylan released his debut album.

What is 1962?

300

Spencer received both his undergraduate and masters degrees at this university, where his father served as President from 1927 - 1933.

What is the University of Washington?

300

The following statements are two examples of this: 

  • Broaden the diversity of scholars and scholarship in education research.
  • Strengthen the impact of education research for improving educational practice.

What are Spencer's goals?

300

Elected as the Foundation's fourth president, she served from 2000 to 2002. After she left the foundation, she was appointed the Dean of Harvard's Graduate School of Education.

Who is Ellen Condliffe Lagemann?

300

He is an accomplished executive leader in both the global financial marketplace and intercollegiate athletics.

Who is Mike Williams?

300

Program officers review approximately this many proposals annually.

What is 1600?

400

Spencer received graduate training in sociology at this university.

What is the University of Chicago?

400

Supporting education research that is rigorous, relevant, equitable, collaborative, and transformative are these type of commitments for the Foundation.

What are Spencer's core commitments?

400

He served as The Spencer Foundation’s second elected President from 1985 until 1990. Prior to the Foundation, he was a Professor of Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he had served on its faculty for forty-two years, and as its President for ten years.

Who was Lawrence A. Cremin?

400

He is the recipient of over fifteen honorary doctorates and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2016.

Who is Eduardo Padron?

400

Across grants (research, training, field-building) and awards (mentorship), the Foundation currently provides funding across this many programs.

What is 9 or 10?

500

Spencer co-founded this educational publishing firm, which provided the basis of his wealth and ultimately made possible the creation of the Spencer Foundation.

What is Science Research Associates (SRA)?

500

Quoting Spencer, Charles Dollard, friend and former director of the Foundation, recounted that "he liked to say that it was quite as important where one went to" for this "as where one went to" for this.

What are kindergarten and college?

500

She was the first woman to be elected President of The Spencer Foundation, serving from 1991 to 2000. Prior to the Foundation, she served as dean of the Radcliffe Institute and as vice president of Radcliffe College. She joined the Harvard Graduate School of Education faculty in 1974 and served as dean from 1982 to 1991.

Who is Patricia Albjerg Graham?

500

He was a sixth grade teacher at Rusk Elementary School in Houston, Texas before attending graduate school.

Who is Rob Reich?

500

This corporation purchased Science Research Associates (the educational publishing firm that provided the basis of Lyle Spencer's wealth) in 1964 for $55 million.

Who/What is IBM?