Bill Text: VA HJR541 | 2013 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Dr. Patricia Holbert Menk.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2013-01-17 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ541ER) [HJR541 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2013-HJR541-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, Dr. Patricia Holbert Menk, a distinguished professor emerita of history at Mary Baldwin College who served the school and the City of Staunton with great grace, intelligence, and dedication, died on July 8, 2012; and WHEREAS, a native of Rutherford, New Jersey, Patricia Menk graduated from Florida State College for Women, now Florida State University, and earned a doctorate in history from the University of Virginia; and WHEREAS, in 1952 Dr. Menk joined the faculty of Mary Baldwin College, became professor and history department chair in 1966, and served as acting president of the college in 1976 before her retirement in 1981; and WHEREAS, Dr. Menk's professional life was marked by learning as much about her field as she could, teaching others what she had learned, and giving back to the community in recognition of how it had helped her; and WHEREAS, countless students reaped the benefit of a superior education as a result of Dr. Menk's commitment to rigorous intellectual study and high academic standards at Mary Baldwin College; and WHEREAS, Dr. Menk served in numerous capacities during her nearly 30-year tenure at Mary Baldwin College and in retirement penned two books on the school's history—To Live in Time: The Sesquicentennial History of Mary Baldwin College 1842 - 1992 and Retrospect: The Tyson Years, 1985 - 2003; and WHEREAS, Dr. Menk broke ground as the first woman to be elected to the Staunton City Council in 1962 and served as the city's mayor from 1964 to 1966; she also provided strong leadership and insight as a member and chair of the Staunton City School Board; and WHEREAS, a charter member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, Dr. Menk also generously gave her time and talents to a wide range of committees and boards in the community throughout her life; and WHEREAS, a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa, Dr. Menk was recognized for her "nobility of character" and dedication to serving others with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award; and WHEREAS, an exemplary role model, Dr. Menk made many lasting and substantial contributions to Mary Baldwin College and the City of Staunton, while positively influencing a generation of students; and WHEREAS, predeceased by her husband, Dr. Karl Menk, Patricia Menk leaves behind to cherish her memory, their children, Karl, Peter, and Susan, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, colleagues, and former students; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of a distinguished historian, dedicated educator, and admired civic leader, Dr. Patricia Holbert Menk; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Dr. Patricia Holbert Menk as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory. |
