For those of us fortunate enough to know Paula as a colleague or have her as a professor, we will be changed forever by the light she brought into our lives. Quick witted with a ready smile, she embraced everyone that life put in her path; eager to find the spark, the connection, that makes the human experience so rich. Paula had so many gifts that she shared with the world. She was a scholar, an artist, an activist, and humanitarian; tender of heart coupled with a fierce passion for people and purpose. Paula was invigorated by sharing her knowledge with others, stalwart in her belief that what we invest in others will manifest tenfold. When she needed time to recharge, she turned to nature; whether that be the gorgeous garden in her backyard, walking the trails around Waverly or retreating to the cabin she shared with her husband and sons. When we lose someone so vibrant it is difficult to make peace with that loss and to find a way to make sure that their life is celebrated in a way that mirrors how they lived. As we approach the one-year anniversary of her passing, we plan to create the Paula Survilla Living Classroom. A space that is a fitting tribute to Paula’s life and legacy. A space that embraces the idea that learning can happen anywhere, even in the unlikeliest of spaces, and that our physical environment is a gift to be used, treasured, and protected.
— Dr. Penni Pier and Dr. Mike Bechtel
To build this space, we are launching a Fund the Fortress project to secure the funding to do it right. In order to complete this project, we need your help to reach our estimated goal of *$20,000. Your gift will support an outdoor classroom in the McElroy Center courtyard where faculty, students, and staff will connect with nature while engaging in meaningful learning opportunities. Your gift will also honor the memory of one of our beloved faculty members and pay tribute to the wonderful person that Paula was. You can make a gift by clicking the "Give Now" button on this page. We appreciate your support in memory of Paula and in support of learning at Wartburg College.
The Paula Survilla Living Classroom will be a place where Wartburg College’s liberal arts students can learn outside, surrounded by natural beauty. The main feature is a beautiful male ginkgo tree for shade and beauty with an understory of native short grasses and plants.
A few of the more notable components of the classroom are: