Thelma "T" Borresen

is honored with a Brick from C. Robert Borresen, PhD.

Thelma "T" Borresen (nee Jasper; Meacham) was born in 1930 in the farming community of Stone Church, Illinois. She was delivered by her father when the doctor was one hour late. Besides doing her "chores" on the family farm, she enjoyed school and playing basketball at Okawville High. Rather than accept a Home Economics scholarship to the University of Illinois, she accepted a job with the Department of Public Welfare in East St. Louis, where, after a few years she became office manager. She married and had a son, Mike Meacham. After a long illness, she moved to Hutchinson in 1957 where she worked as a legal secretary for Wesley E. Brown. When he was appointed Judge of the Bankruptcy Court in 1958, she was appointed Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court and moved to Wichita. When Judge Brown was appointed to the U.S. District Court in 1962, she remained as his Court Administrator. She took early retirement in 1989 after 31 years in the Federal Court system. At that time, she took a part-time position as Executive Director of the Mid-Central States Orthopaedic Society. From the time her son was two, in 1956, she was a working single parent.

In 1965, "T" began night classes at Wichita State University, achieving three degrees: Associate in Legal Assistant, BS in Psychology and Masters in Public Administration. She met and married C. Robert Borresen, Professor of Psychology, in 1966.

"T" has been, and still is, very active in a variety of public service organizations, including Wichita Public Building Commission, Wichita Child Guidance Advisory Board, Project Beauty and WSU Dames. In addition, she is an activist in Lambda Tau Delta, a social and philanthropic sorority.

Her interests include gardening, reading, golf, travel, and at the head of the list, her granddaughter, Katie Meacham , born in 1983.

As a single working parent in the fifties, and throughout the last three decades, she placed her family first while continuing her interest in education and her profession. Mike and I have benefited from her sense of humor, dedication, good-will and loving care. She truly belongs in the Plaza of Heroines, even though the recognition given cannot begin to honor her efforts for family and friends.

Submitted by C. Robert Borresen, husband

June 2, 1998