Shirley Beggs

is honored with a Large Paver from Don Beggs.

Shirley Beggs enjoys being an advocate for Wichita State University after previous opportunities as a business owner and a public schoolteacher. After Shirley completed her bachelor and masters degrees at Southern Illinois University, she owned and operated a children's clothing store before starting a 15 year career as a public schoolteacher. She was recognized as a quality teacher who cared for her students and emphasized student responsibility for student success. She helped her students to develop an attitude of doing the best you can and then more.

Shirley is the mother of a son, Brent, and a daughter, Pam. She has maintained a strong personal relationship with her children and continues to be supportive of them and their families. She has a wonderful relationship with her grandchildren, Jacob, Brendan, Heather and Sydney. Her life has been enhanced through her family and she enjoys supporting the efforts of all her family. She has indeed made the most of being a mother and a grandmother.

After retiring as a teacher, Shirley has been an active partner with her husband Don in leadership roles in two doctoral research institutions, Southern Illinois University and Wichita State University. Although she was never a salaried employee in either institution, she worked hard to be a positive ambassador for each institution. She enjoyed interacting with students, faculty, staff, alumni and university friends. She gave invited presentations in classes and to various groups who were interested in the university as well as Shirley's special interests in nutcrackers, unique antiques and paperweights. Shirley worked with university staffs in planning and hosting special events to honor and recognize persons who were supportive of the university. Shirley has a genuine interest in others and has served both institutions well.

Shirley and her husband Don enjoy being a team at work and in life. They enjoy doing things together and learn from each other. They both enjoy the privilege of living and working in a university environment and recognize the benefits of being surrounded by creative and thoughtful people. They enjoy the arts, sciences and athletics that are present on the university campus.

Shirley appreciates the honor of being recognized in the Plaza of Heroines.

Submitted by Donald L. Beggs, Wichita State University president

June 7, 1999