UofL Alumni Lois Adams-Rodgers ’72, ’74, ‘94
October 9, 2022
By Advancement Office
Lois Adams-Rodgers ’72, ’74, ‘94 grew up on Arcade Avenue, just a few blocks from the campus of the University of Louisville, and even while attending Fraser and Prestonia Elementary Schools, education was extremely important to her. “I liked learning. I liked being a student. I really enjoyed how it opened my eyes to things and to people,” Adams-Rodgers said.
After graduating from Durrett High School in 1964, she first worked in an accounting office where her father worked and then began working at the Jefferson Country Public Schools, where she earned the nickname of “Flicka” because she bounced around so much and was able to do anything that was asked of her.
Following a short period working full time, she decided to enroll at UofL. Her father had made her a very generous deal — he would pay for the first year, but then she had to figure it out on her own.
Adams-Rogers had always been a good student and was excited to continue her education, but there was an incident at the registrar’s office that provided her with motivation for the rest of her life.
“I remember going to the registrar’s office and a gentleman told me, ‘I don’t think you are capable of being a strong student here’. I remember being so insulted. My goal was always to prove him wrong. I am, in fact, a very good student and I worked hard and that’s what you need to be successful.”
Of course, she did prove him wrong.
After her first full year of school, she got a job as a receptionist in the Dean of Students Office allowing her to take two night classes with one at no cost because she worked at UofL.
“It took me a little longer to get through my first degree, but I stuck it out because I wanted to teach,” she said. “I had wonderful professors at UofL that were so encouraging. When I thought I was overwhelmed because I was going to work and school and the other things that needed to be done, my professors were always there to tell me I can do it and encourage me and sit down and look at my schedule with me.”
In 1972, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education; two years later she earned her master’s. Eventually in 1994, she received her doctorate in education.
While in college, she married Harold Adams, whom she had met while working in the registrar’s office, and they had a son, Josh. Adams-Rogers and her husband both were stalwarts in the Kentucky educational community.
She worked for 32 years as a Kentucky educator, serving as a teacher, principal, superintendent, associate professor and a state department official in various capacities, including deputy commissioner in the Kentucky Department of Education. She also served as the Deputy Executive Director for the Council of Chief State School Officers in Washington, D.C. from 2003 until 2010, where she focused on educational leadership and international educational opportunities.
Adams-Rogers served on a variety of boards, including UofL’s College of Education and Human Development Dean’s Advisory Council, the National Association of State Science and Math Coalitions, Appalachian Math and Science Partnership, National Community Education Association, the Steering Committee of the Arts Education Partnership and the Center for Research, Evaluation and Advancement of Teacher Education.
Harold Adams’s relationship with UofL spanned nearly 30 years and encompassed most of his college and professional life. He went on to earn degrees in history, education and law, and in 1962, began serving as an assistant coach for John Dromo and the UofL men’s basketball team.
He accepted his first administrative post in 1966 as Director of Housing. In 1970, he was appointed Associate Dean of Students, and in 1976, was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs.
Harold Adams tragically passed away in 1986. His passing was felt across campus among students, faculty and staff. A year later, Adams-Rogers established the Harold Adams Memorial Scholarship Fund in his memory.
“It’s hard to describe how many people cared about Harold and the work that he did. He was a kind person, he invited you in, he listened to you, he appreciated you. I think that, above all else, will never go away from all of us who knew him.”
Adams-Rogers retired in 2003 after a 32-year career as an educator and in 2010 was appointed as the Alumni Fellow for the College of Education. During her career, she always did her best to motivate her students.
“I could never imagine saying anything to not motivate a student,” Adams-Rogers said. “Those negative moments (like the one in the registrar’s office) are emblazoned in my head, and they are still there. Number one, it’s how you treat people and secondly, you have such an influence that you don’t realize as a teacher.”
For more than three decades, Adams-Rodgers educated and motivated students in the classroom. Through additional scholarships, she discovered a way to influence students forever.
Her brother, Don Carson, a 30-year UofL employee, passed away in 2010. In his memory, she helped establish the Don Carson Legacy Fund. Much like her late husband Harold, her brother had a huge impact on the university.
“Don was such a beloved person,” she said. “When they had the program for him in the Red Barn my mother was so taken by how many people were there. He had a lot to give to people.”
In addition, she set up the Women in Leadership Development Fund.
“Many of us came up during a period when women were not expected to be in positions of authority, but luckily that has changed in recent years,” she said. “It’s a program that enables women to do things they didn’t think they were able to do. My hope is that someone can take advantage of the resources provided and that it will really have an impact on their life.”
Having these scholarships set up at UofL, which has been such a big part of her life, along with so many of her family members means that much more.
“The university means a lot to me because I have several anchors there,” she said. “I have anchors from people I have met who have since passed away. I love this university because it felt like it surrounded me, because it helped me feel like I could do it. I felt like I did my best work there.
“The university itself just has a place in my heart and soul.”
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