Margaret Wood

is honored with a Brick from Mike and Kerri Wood

Margaret Wood, “…is not only the fountain of grad school knowledge, but faithfully and promptly returns all calls and patiently shares her understanding of the graduate policies and procedures with those, like me, who need her help.” (WSU Faculty member)

Margaret Ellen Wood was born March 25th, 1948, in Independence, Kansas. Margaret was the youngest of four. Her mother Nina was a homemaker, and her father Myrl worked at the local cement factory. Margaret grew up around her mother’s wonderful cooking and the hot house vegetables grown by her father.

Margaret was a proud member of the local 4-H club, working on baking, sewing, and redecorating projects. One summer at the state 4-H Roundup, Margaret met a fellow 4-H’er, and her future husband, Mike Wood. Mike was from the small town of Cherryvale, just ten miles from Independence. Mike and Margaret dated while at Independence Community College, and then they both eventually moved to Manhattan to attend Kansas State University.

Mike and Margaret were married in 1969. Margaret graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Home Economics in 1970 and began working as the coordinator of KSU’s Telenet, an audio conferencing system, offering credit courses throughout the state. Mike and Margaret’s daughter, Kerri, was born in 1976.

Soon after Kerri’s birth, Mike and Margaret packed their bags and headed for sunny California. Mike worked on a Masters Degree at the University of Southern California, and Margaret supported the family as the assistant to the Dean in the College of Education at USC.

Margaret somehow managed to still find the time to lead Kerri’s Girl Scout troop, sew Halloween costumes, plan elaborate birthday parties, and help with school and church functions. Many holidays were spent flying or driving to Kansas to see family, and summers always included a driving vacation. The family toured the Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, the Sand Dunes, and Mount Rushmore.

In 1985 Mike, Margaret, and Kerri moved back to Kansas to be closer to family. Mike took a job at the Media Resources Center at Wichita State, where he is now the Executive Director. Margaret soon began working at the Graduate School, and has been helping students ever since. Margaret is the Assistant to the Dean of the Graduate School at Wichita State University.

Margaret has received thank you notes from many of the students she has helped “get through the graduate process.” The following excerpts reflect students’ appreciation of the help and support Margaret has provided:

“You went the extra mile for me…during your vacation.”

“I admire the peaceful manner with which you deal with students. It makes a great difference in our hasty times.”

“You are always so helpful! I know I can count on you to help me with each situation.” (Faculty member)

Margaret completed her own Masters Degree at Wichita State, in Liberal Studies, graduating in 1998.

Margaret has always been very involved with a church community. She enjoys listening to Mike play the organ every Sunday, and through the years has taught classes, organized events, and was named Bible Woman of the year in 1995. She served as Chair of Christian Education at Calvary United Methodist Church and has taught Disciple Bible studies at Calvary. Mike and Margaret joined fellow church members in 1999 for a trip to The Holy Land, and they were recognized with the UMW Special Mission Recognition in 2002.

Margaret joins her mother-in-law, Fern Morrow Wood in the Plaza of Heroines.