Jean Louise Stellfox '60 was at Dickinson in 1959 when the poet Robert Frost came to campus for a brief residency. The experience had a tremendous impact on her, and after graduation she went on to receive a Master's degree from Penn State and worked as an English teacher at Shamokin High School.

Shortly after her retirement in 2003, she was killed in a hit-and-run accident. Before her death, she had decided to make a gift to Dickinson so future generations of students could hear and learn from renowned authors. She was clear in her wishes that she wanted other Dickinsonians to have the same experience she had when she was inspired by Robert Frost. With her careful savings and wise investing, her estate was worth over $1.5 million.

The gift to Dickinson will establish the Harold and Ethel L. Stellfox Visiting Scholars and Writers Program. British novelist Ian McEwan will come to campus in late September as the first recipient of The Stellfox Prize and Residency for Literary Excellence.

On Wednesday, August 24, 2005 The New York Times featured a story about Jean Stellfox and her dedication to literature and education.

The article is available at The New York Time web site.

On Saturday, August 27, 2005 The Washington Times took note of Miss Stellfox's gift in the Nobles and Knaves section of its editorial page and said "For her gift of inspiration, Miss Stellfox is the Noble of the week."