Irene E. Feak

is honored with a Brick from the Registrar's Office.

Born: December 2, 1917
Graduated: June 6, 1939; B.A. in Psychology, University of Wichita
Hired at WSU: October, 1953
Retired from WSU: November, 1986
Died : June 5, 1996

The following is the citation given in 1979 by C. Russell Wentworth, Dean of Admissions and Records, when Irene was inducted into the Order of the Bender of Twigs after 25 years of service at Wichita State University:

I accepted the invitation to present Ms. Feak to this select company with mixed emotion.

First I was amused: Bender of Twigs indeed! Irene Feak is a shredder of trees, a decimator of forests. She was described by one of my favorite authors, Anonymous, as follows: "She lifts tall buildings and walks under them; kicks locomotives off the track; catches speeding bullets in her teeth and eats them; freezes water with a single glance. She is God."

Now I note that some of you are skeptical. Well, how do you explain the fact that she has directed 25 outdoor commencement exercises and has never been rained on?! Secondly, I was totally intimidated by the charge. Introduce Irene Feak-- to whom? Who does not already know this gentle, quiet, shy creature? Only those who have never needed a classroom, or enrollment data, or a class card, or a transcript, or posted grade, or needed an after-the-deadline favor on a Sunday morning. And besides, how do you introduce a legend, especially one still living who has the lowdown on everyone present and past, and who plans to supplement pension income with blackmail checks upon retirement?

Irene Feak began her WSU career on October 20, 1953, after a successful elementary teaching career and a stint in the accounting department at Boeing. She was interviewed by Registrar Worth Fletcher and, incidentally, gave as a reference the name of a high school classmate who she felt might help her cause but whose whereabouts were unknown to her at the moment. The name - Harry Corbin.

She, thank heavens, got the job and WSU has profited by her presence and dedication ever since. Irene has at one time or another held every position in the Registrar's Office and, fittingly, now occupies Dr. Fletcher's office. She began by registering 3,319 students in the fall of 1953 in Henrion Gym and, as of spring semester 1979, has assisted in the enrollment of 597,960 students.

In addition to her many office responsibilities and commencement activities, Irene also served as a sponsor for the WSU award-winning Army Blues from 1959-1964, and has been awarded both a Certificate of Appreciation and Certificate of Achievement from the WSU Army ROTC. Incidentally, her women's drill team was the first ever to compete in a men's marching competition. Who would have doubted her potential as a drill sergeant?

Irene has served her alma mater with distinction for many years. Yes, I did say alma mater. Truth is she graduated in that extraordinary 1939 class which produced at least one other University employee. Let's see, I believe the name is Ahlberg. She has even been around long enough to remember winning football teams.

Finally, there is really no way one can adequately summarize a quarter century of faithful, loving service in these few minutes. Suffice, I hope, to say these things about this good lady:

1. Ms. Feak is a tough taskmaster. She expects total dedication because she is totally dedicated. She demands much because she gives much, and woe be unto the careless, slovenly or indifferent who would serve her or WSU.

2. Irene will remain in the Registrar's Office (for a long time, we hope) and those who know her will continue to seek her assistance with that assignment which needs an extra mile, a superhuman effort.

3. There is a scrapbook which I have seen crowded with letters and notes from students and faculty alike that offer eloquent testimony to her tireless devotion.

Joseph Conrad wrote: "Efficiency of a practically flawless kind may be reached naturally in the struggle for bread. But there is something beyond--a higher point, a subtle and unmistakable touch of love and pride beyond mere skill; almost an inspiration which gives to all work that finish which is almost art--which is art."

The work of Assistant Registrar Irene Feak is art and we, her colleagues and friends, present her now with pride, affection and much love.

Irene is survived by a son, Robert J. Jr., and a granddaughter, C. Michelle Daley.

August 31,1998