TWU Recognizes Distinguished Alumni

3/26/04

DENTON —Texas Woman’s University and the TWU Former Students Association will recognize four distinguished alumni during Honors Convocation ceremonies Thursday, April 15 and at an awards luncheon on Saturday, April 17. The honorees are Dr. Margaret L. Bogle of Little Rock, Ark., Dr. Janie H. Humphries of Ruston, La., Virginia “Ginger” Purdy of San Antonio and Dr. Glenda B. Simmons of Denton.

The ceremonies are part of TWU’s homecoming celebration, April 15-18. Convocation is at 10 a.m. April 15 in the Margo Jones Performance Hall, located at Oakland Avenue and Pioneer Circle on TWU’s Denton campus. The Distinguished Alumni Awards Luncheon is at 11:30 a.m. April 17 in the southeast ballroom of Hubbard Hall. Luncheon tickets purchased prior to March 25 are $15; after March 25 tickets are $20. For more information or tickets, call the TWU Office of Alumni Relations at (940) 898-2586 or visit www.twu.edu/alum.

Margaret Lowe Bogle, Ph.D., RD, LD

Dr. Bogle has a history of outstanding work in the field of community and pediatric nutrition that spans more than 48 years. She earned her Ph.D. in nutrition science at TWU in 1989.

Her first association with TWU was as an instructor and research nutritionist from 1974-77. She currently is an associate professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and executive director of the Lower Mississippi Delta Nutrition Intervention Research Initiative. The research program involves a partnership of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the states of Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. The goal of the project is to improve the health and well being of children and their families in the delta region through better nutrition.

Because of her work, the Agriculture Research Service is beginning a similar program in Texas in the lower Rio Grande Valley under Dr. Bogle’s leadership.

Dr. Bogle was an invited speaker at the National Nutrition Summit held in Washington, D.C. in 2000. In 2002, she was awarded the Marjorie Hulsizer Copher Award, which is the highest award given by The American Dietetic Association.

Dr. Janie M. Humphries

Dr. Humphries is an assertive leader who has had exceptional success working with parents, students and professionals. She is a 1964 TWU home economics graduate and since 1995 she has held the position of McGehee Professor of Early Childhood Education, School of Human Ecology, Louisiana Tech University.

The Louisiana Association for Children Under Six (now Louisiana Early Childhood Association) awarded her the Mildred Souther Award for Outstanding Service to Louisiana’s Children in 1992. Louisiana Tech University named her a University Distinguished Professor for 1995-2000. The Southern Early Childhood Association selected her as their Outstanding Member for 2003.

Most notable is her work with LINC — Lincoln Institutions Networking for Children — a comprehensive early childhood program for children ages 3 to 7. LINC is one of the charter programs of the Excellent Beginnings Early Childhood Program, used in eight states, that includes a research base curriculum, parental involvement, high school mentors and community involvement. Redbook magazine, USA Today and the Louisiana State Senate recognized LINC as a notable early childhood program.

Virginia “Ginger” Purdy

Ms. Purdy is a 1948 graduate of TWU with more than 35 years’ experience in advertising and public relations. Her career started as a fashion artist and she later became advertising manager of the Texas/New Mexico Division of Dillard’s Department Stores. In 1976, she went into business for herself with clients such as the San Antonio Conservation Society.

She also became a full-time advocate for women and children. Ms. Purdy is the founding president of Network Power/Texas, a non-profit corporation that promotes equity and self-sufficiency for women through educational programs and services. She is the founder and president emeritus of the San Antonio Women’s Chamber of Commerce.

In 1992, the International Women’s Forman named her a “Women Who Make a Difference” award recipient. She is a director of SA Inc., formerly the San Antonio Economic Development Coordinating Council, is a past member of the Affirmative Action Council of City Public Service, a past member of the board of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and was one of the founding Advisory Board members of the University of Texas at San Antonio Center for the Study of Women and Gender. Since 1984 she has been a member of the State Steering Committee for Women’s Legislative Days.

While serving on the national board of the Association of Women in Communications she spent two terms as president of the San Antonio chapter, two terms as regional vice president and two terms as national vice president for membership. She received the San Antonio chapter’s Headliner Award for Outstanding Service in 1982.

Dr. Glenda Brock Simmons

Dr. Simmons received her baccalaureate and master’s degrees at TWU (1961, 1962). She served as TWU’s dean of students and vice president for student life for 14 years and was a member of the business and economics faculty for 22 years. On her retirement, she was named vice president emeritus, the only person ever to hold such a title at TWU.

During her tenure at TWU, she was departmental academic adviser; faculty sponsor of Delians Literary-Social Club; homecoming chairperson; faculty representative to the TWU Foundation; chair of the TWU Welfare Committee; an active member and officer of her professional associations; adviser to the Student Government Association, Mortar Board and Alpha Chi; a representative to the Chamber of Commerce and United Way Board member and secretary. She served as a reviewer for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and was a member of every TWU SACS reaffirmation committee during her tenure at the university.

Dr. Simmons was selected by students as outstanding faculty member numerous times and was named the Texas Business Education Teacher of the Year in 1973. Under her leadership, the TWU family housing program was established, the human relations program was initiated, and Neighbors Educated Together (NET), intercultural services, disability support services and conference services were established as university components. Since her retirement, she has served as a member of the TWU Foundation Board, as a board member of Friends of the Family, and has been actively involved as a volunteer with Ann’s Haven Hospice, the RSVP tutoring program and numerous other community social service agencies. She has been a member of the TWU Former Students Association and served as the 2003 homecoming chairman.

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For Further Information Contact:

Roy Kron
Director of News and Information
Tel: (940) 898-3456
e-mail: rkron@twu.edu