The First Ladies of The Florida State University
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Virginia Wetherell, Wife of President T.K. Wetherell Virginia Bacon (b. 1947) was born in Anniston, Alabama, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a master’s degree from Jacksonville State University. She also studied at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. She and T.K. Wetherell married in 1988. Prior to entering public service she had a successful business career. In 1982, she was the first woman elected to the Florida House of Representatives from Pensacola. In 1991, she was named Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources, the first woman to ever hold that position. In 1993, she was appointed as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Regulation and was later appointed Secretary of the newly created Department of Environmental Protection, where she served until 1998. Since then, she has been president of Wetherell Consulting, Inc., providing governmental consulting and lobbying services before executive agencies, the legislature and the Florida Cabinet. A gifted designer and decorator with boundless energy, a keen eye for detail and execution, and top-level management skills, she served as the guiding force for the development, construction and furnishing of the privately funded new President’s House. She envisioned the house, which opened its doors in 2007 filled with symbols of the University’s heritage, as a place that would be elegant and efficient for entertaining large groups of students, faculty and staff and also comfortable for the first family as a private home. In the words of this warm and gracious hostess, “I wanted this house to feel like it’s always been here — to feel like the University grew up around it.” In 2003, the Wetherells announced they will leave their Oak Hill Plantation in Jefferson County to help countless Florida State students pursue their dream of a college degree. This gift is the largest personal donation in the nation to a public university by a sitting president. |
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Patsy Palmer, Wife of President Sandy D'Alemberte Patsy Palmer (b. 1949) was raised in Missouri. She and Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte married in 1989. A former children's policy coordinator in Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles' office, she also worked as a journalist, legislative aide and White House staff member. In love with learning throughout her life, she received a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri in journalism, a master's degree from the Harvard Divinity School and a master's degree in conflict resolution from Antioch University (earned during her time as First Lady). She received her J.D. degree from the College of Law at The Florida State University in May 2007 and practices law in Tallahassee. As a trusted advisor to President D'Alemberte, she cared deeply about the educational and cultural functions of The Florida State University. Her admiration for people who lead lives of accomplishment — people who contribute to others — led her to a special regard for the alumni who attended Florida State College for Women. She came to understand that the high standards of FSCW are the foundation for so much of what makes Florida State great today and she, in turn, was recognized by the Emeritus Alumni organization for her contributions and involvement. The President's House had deteriorated over the years, and President D'Alemberte and Ms. Palmer moved out of the aging structure, paving the way for its renovation as the Pearl Tyner Alumni Welcome Center and the construction of the new President's House. |
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Marilyn Kay Lick, Wife of President Dale Lick Marilyn Kay (b. 1937) and Dale Lick began life together as hometown sweethearts and married on September 15, 1956, in Marlette, Michigan. Mrs. Lick attended college at St. Clair County Community College (Michigan), Riverside Community College (California), the University of California, Los Angeles, and Georgia Southern University. Mrs. Lick brought years of First Lady experience to Florida State, having served in that capacity at Georgia Southern College (now University) and the University of Maine. During the Licks’ time in the Presidents’ House, their daughter Diana was a graduate student in social work. Mrs. Lick was actively involved in numerous community endeavors, and one of her principal efforts was with her church, where she served over the years as an ordained minister as well as many other positions. With a deep belief in the worth and dignity of all people, Mrs. Lick opened the President’s House to everyone — students, faculty, staff and the community. With a lighthearted spirit and joie de vivre, Mrs. Lick took her First Lady responsibilities seriously and forthrightly, assisting the President and others in the full range of problems and opportunities that confront a major university and its community and friends. |
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Ruth Margareta “Greta” Taube Sliger, Wife of President Bernie Sliger Ruth Margareta “Greta” Taube Sliger (b. 1924) was raised in Newberry, Michigan. She attended Cleary University and Eastern Michigan University. She and Bernie Sliger married in 1945. In 1978 the Sligers moved into the President’s House (now the Pearl Tyner Alumni Welcome Center) with their two teenagers, Greta Lee and Sten, and lived there longer than any other first family. The President’s Ice Cream Social, now a venerable tradition that has moved from the President’s House to the campus, was born in 1980, the brainchild of President Sliger. Among President and Mrs. Sliger’s noted house guests were British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, Lillian Carter (mother of President Jimmy Carter), Andrews Sisters singer Patty Andrews, and Florida State alumni Robert Urich and Burt Reynolds. The Sligers enjoyed the grounds, maintaining a vegetable garden and a rose garden. Mrs. Sliger was honored for her loving and tireless support of the University with the 2006 Mores Torch Award, which honors respect for customs, character and tradition. |
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Shirley Anne Slade Marshall, Wife of President Stanley Marshall Shirley Anne Slade (b. 1932) was raised in Gladewater, Texas, and attended the University of Houston and Laval University in Quebec City, Canada. She worked for J.H. Whitney and Co. in New York City and then for Pan American World Airways, where she advanced from stewardess to purser to management supervisor. She and Stanley Marshall married in 1966. With five children — one of whom was born during the Marshalls' time in the President's House (now the Pearl Tyner Alumni Welcome Center) — family activities included tennis, baseball, touch football and swimming. The Marshalls enjoyed entertaining and may have set a record for the number of events they hosted at the house, which included visits by the Italian ambassador, actress Helen Hayes and noted athletes. Easter egg hunts for the children of faculty and staff were an annual event. During the Marshall years a swimming pool and tennis courts were added to the facilities. As they moved into the President's House, the Marshalls were confronted by the campus unrest of the “tumultuous sixties.” The situation had calmed by the end of their tenure. |
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Mary Lanier Champion, Wife of President John E. Champion Mary Lanier (b. 1931), a graduate of Auburn University who majored in clothing and textiles, married John Champion in 1955. The following year the couple moved to Tallahassee so that John could join the faculty of the College of Business. By the time John became President in 1965, Mrs. Champion was well acquainted with the President’s House (now the Pearl Tyner Alumni Welcome Center). The Champion children, Sally and John, were nine and seven when they moved into the house, and they enjoyed their interactions with students and VIP guests. A Southern lady born in West Point, Georgia, Mrs. Champion brought grace and elegance to Florida State University and loved living in the President’s House, keeping it filled with fresh flowers. She made most of her own clothing, even formal attire, and believed in dressing properly for the role of First Lady. She hosted spring egg hunts and a Halloween party for faculty children and welcomed new graduates at post-ceremony receptions. She acquired chandeliers for the house from Gov. Claude Kirk when the Governor’s Mansion was renovated. She had been a member of Kappa Delta sorority at Auburn and was active in the Kappa Delta Alumnae Association at Florida State. In recognition of her service to the university she was selected for membership in the Garnet Key leadership honorary society. |
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Elizabeth Blair Lyles Blackwell, Wife of President Gordon W. Blackwell A native of Spartansburg, South Carolina, Elizabeth Blair Lyles (1913 - 2000), known as “Lib” to her many friends, was a 1935 graduate of Converse College in North Carolina. She and Gordon Blackwell married in 1937 and had four children, two of whom lived in the President’s House (now the Pearl Tyner Alumni Welcome Center). In addition to Florida State University she served as First Lady of The Women’s College of the University of North Carolina and Furman University. Active on campus and in the community, she joined the Tallahassee Garden Club to learn more about taking care of the 16 acres of grounds and gardens. She called the lawns and gardens “perfectly beautiful” and took great pride and enjoyment in caring for them. President and Mrs. Blackwell celebrated the Yuletide with an official lighting of a large outdoor evergreen on the grounds. With the President’s House reflecting her warmth and outgoing personality, the couple often entertained students and faculty families with garden parties featuring special themes and student hostesses in appropriate theme costumes. She was an honorary member of the Florida State University Dames Club, which, in the ‘60s, was a group of working wives of students. She maintained her many Tallahassee friendships until her death in 2000. |
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Margaret Burnett Strozier, Wife of President Robert M. Strozier Margaret Burnett (1911 - 2008), who was born in Boulder, Colo., dreamed of becoming a doctor like her father. Instead she earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Colorado. After trying her hand at teaching, she returned to school, this time at the University of Chicago, to earn a master’s degree in medical social work. It was there that she met her husband. When Mrs. Strozier arrived at Florida State in 1957, she immediately began working on the President’s House (now the Pearl Tyner Alumni Welcome Center). Using her love for music, books and the arts as inspiration, Mrs. Strozier completely transformed the house with a blend of modern and traditional art styles. While serving as First Lady, she enjoyed touring the state with her husband on “get acquainted” trips. She hosted small tea parties for her fellow Florida State wives, but her main focus was her family, which included a daughter, two sons, a step-son and step-daughter. After her husband’s death in 1960, she returned to Chicago to become director of admissions for the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration, later serving as its Dean of Students and Director of Alumni Affairs. |
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Edna Simmons Campbell, Wife of President Doak S. Campbell Edna Simmons (1897 - 1978) and Doak Sheridan Campbell were married in 1941, just two months before he was named President of Florida State College for Women, which became The Florida State University during his administration. She earned her B.S. from Peabody College in 1928 and her master’s degree from Peabody in 1932. Prior to marriage she served for many years as teacher, principal and supervisor in the Mississippi public schools, then as a member of faculty of Martha Washington College, Fredericksburg, Va. At the time of her marriage she was the director of the training school of Wilson Teachers College in Washington, DC. Capable, versatile and armed with her professional experience as educator and leader of professional associations, Mrs. Campbell fulfilled her responsibilities as the wife of a college president with insight and vigor. In 1948, when the McIntosh House was moved from downtown Tallahassee to the campus, she became the first President’s wife to live in an official Florida State University President’s House (now the Pearl Tyner Alumni Welcome Center). An enthusiastic gardener, she was responsible for the oldest trees and plants on the President’s House and Alumni Center property, which had been an open pasture, and she worked diligently on campus beautification. An avid athletic fan, especially of football and baseball, she was responsible for restoring an old athletic field to new use. Mrs. Campbell was active in the American Association of University Women and local church and garden clubs. She was a gracious hostess who was at her best welcoming students, faculty or legislators into the President's home. She was so highly involved in President Campbell’s administration that she was sometimes referred to as Doak's “unpaid consultant.” |
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Augusta Grothaus Conradi, Wife of President Edward Conradi Augusta Grothaus (1873 - 1928) studied fine arts at a convent school and taught public school in Ohio. She and Edward Conradi married in 1898. As First Lady, Mrs. Conradi took great interest in the students of Florida State College for Women. She was a charter member of the College Dames Club, established in 1926 to allow the wives of faculty and administrators to get to know one another and welcome newcomers to campus. The club established a fund for college seniors who needed financial assistance. Upon her death, the fund was named the Conradi Fund. The organization continues today as the Faculty and Friends Club and gives money to the Southern Scholarship Foundation rather than to individual students. Mrs. Conradi took an active role in the social affairs of Tallahassee and served as president of the Women’s Club. The theatre in the Williams Building was given her name because of her love and interest in the arts. The Conradi family included two daughters, Elizabeth and Louise. |
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Jennie Henderson Murphree, Wife of President Albert A. Murphree Jennie Henderson (1877 - 1921), a graduate of the Seminary West of the Suwannee River with a bachelor of letters, was the daughter of Col. John A. Henderson, a lawyer and railroad counsel who served as a trustee of the Seminary. Henderson introduced his daughter to young educator Albert A. Murphree. The two hit it off, and Murphree proposed during a buggy ride on Thanksgiving Day in 1896. The couple married in 1897, the year Murphree was selected as third President of the Seminary. The couple had five children, one of whom died young. Mrs. Murphree, who played the piano and who insisted that all her children learn to play various musical instruments, merged her love of music with her fondness for entertaining. In 1909, when Murphree became President of the University of Florida, the family moved to Gainesville. After Mrs. Murphree died suddenly in 1921, a Florida State College for Women dormitory was named in her honor. Residents of Jennie Murphree Hall were referred to as “Jennie Roses.” Her daughter, Martha, was a member of the FSCW Class of 1925. |
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Rebecca C. Fry Edgar, Wife of President George Mathews Edgar Born and reared in Lewisburg, W. Va., Rebecca C. Fry (1845 -1910) was a descendant of Col. Joshua Fry, who commanded the Virginia troops in the Indian War of 1754. She married the first President of the Seminary West of the Suwannee River, George Mathews Edgar, in 1861. They had six children, including Elizabeth Bessie Randolf Edgar, who graduated from the Seminary West of the Suwannee in 1891.
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Florida State University and its predecessor institutions: 1851 — Florida Institute |