Page 22 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2024 - Online Magazine
P. 22
LOCAL LEGENDS
A Citizen of Distinction
and a Woman of
Service and Significance
Elizabeth (Bess) Haley, Ed.D.
by June Hogue
Claiborne Parish. Her parents, F.C. roles in the Association of Women
Haley and Gladys Murphy Haley, Students and then became the
were both educators who reared chair of a judiciary council, which
three outstanding professionals to dealt with student misconduct.
become well-known in their chosen She gained ability in handling
fields. Bess had two older brothers, complicated issues as she worked
both of whom chose professions with the council to seek reasonable
in medicine and encouraged solutions, listen to individuals, and
their young sister to consider a conclude with fair and equitable
similar career path. However, she decisions. She continued to develop
charted her own course in life. leadership skills which would
The brothers watched Bess thrive impact her future accomplishments
in the high school band, chorus, as a decision maker.
and ensemble performances. She
twirled as a majorette and enjoyed Bess Haley also became a state
both art and piano. Bess also joined officer in the organization for Home
Future Homemakers of America Economics students and established
and learned skills in planning, friendships with older adults as
Dr. Haley in 1988 during her tenure as Dean organizing, and working with well. Such contacts would prove
of the TTU College of Home Economics.
others to accomplish important valuable later in her career. Haley
ho would have believed goals. These skills would serve her once commented, “I feel blessed;
that a tiny, young girl well in the future. it’s almost as if every opportunity
Wfrom Homer, Louisiana, turned out to be valuable in
would become a powerful Upon graduation from high school shaping the opportunities I had in
university administrator, chair in 1962, Bess entered Louisiana the future.” She graduated from
elite community and national Tech University, studying Home Louisiana Tech University at the top
boards, and command the esteem Economics Education. In addition, of her class.
of peers and supervisors, as well as her father encouraged her to As Haley approached graduate
respected educators, across multiple become proficient in typing, school, she considered the advice
states. bookkeeping, and shorthand, which
also would support her success in of a mentor who encouraged her to
Elizabeth (Bess) Haley was the third future endeavors. While in college, “Go out and find a new place with
child of a school superintendent in she was tapped for leadership a different environment, a different
geography, and a different heritage.
22 Lubbock Senior Link
