Board Stiff (Pt. 3) by Patsy Hejl

Board Stiff (pt.3)

Biographies of New ΤΒΣΤΒΣ ΤΒΣΤΒΣ ΤΒΣ Board of Trustees

by Patsy Hejl, ΤΒΣ Board of Trustees Chair

Debbie Baker

Debbie Baker is the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for Tau Beta Sigma. A life member of Beta Xi, University of Florida and honorary member of Theta Lambda, Auburn University, Debbie enjoys working with music on the collegiate level through the sorority. Most people know Debbie as the co-coordinator of the National Intercollegiate Band in 1999. Together with Al Sergel, she will again coordinate the NIB at the 2001 convention in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Debbie is the band director at Flat Rock Middle School in Tyrone, Georgia. Her band program includes over 250 members in five different music ensembles: three concert bands, a pep band, and a jazz band. Debbie has received many accolades over the years, including the George Angelucci Award for Outstanding Educator andTeacher of the Year, and is listed in Who's Who in American Educators. Debbie is a member of MENC, GMEA, NBA, WBDNI, and an Honorary of Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity. Debbie and her husband Glenn enjoy collecting miniature lighted houses. They have organized several collectible gatherings and events, raising over $25,000 for Ronald McDonald charity and Family Haven, a home for abused women and children. Debbie and Glenn enjoy watching their daughter Belinda play soccer, sing in the school choir, and this year joining the BAND!!

Patsy Hejl

Patsy Drury Hejl is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. While a student at UT, Patsy was a member of the Longhorn Band, Tau Beta Sigma, Longhorn Singers, and Alpha Omicron Pi. She received a Master of Education in Instructional Leadership from Mississippi State University. Before assuming the office of National President for the 1967-69 biennium, Patsy served as National Secretary, and Second and First Vice-President. She has served as the Beta Gamma sponsor, District Counselor, and had previously served on the Board of Trustees as chairman. Presiding over the 1969 National Convention at Oklahoma State University, Patsy presented Kappa Kappa Psi, which celebrated its 50th Anniversary at the convention, with a new set of ritual robes on behalf of Tau Beta Sigma. During her term as president, the Outstanding Service to Music Award was developed, and the first award was given at the 1969 convention. At the same convention, the Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi presented Patsy with a savings bond for her two-week-old son’s college fund with the hopes it would be used to pay his dues in Kappa Kappa Psi!

As an instrumental music teacher in Texas, Iowa, and Mississippi, Patsy has taught at all levels from beginning band to high school band. Her choral music teaching assignments include elementary and junior high general music and choir. She also taught church youth choirs and handbell choirs.

Patsy and her husband, James, who is also a band director, met at UT and have worked together as a team since college. Patsy has accompanied many of James’ high school students on the piano at contests. At the high school and college levels, she taught and oversaw the drill team and guard units of James’ bands.

At present, Patsy is principal of the Primary School in Fredericksburg, Texas. Previously she served as a middle school assistant principal and elementary school principal in Angleton, Texas. Her elementary school was rated exemplary by the state of Texas and a Four Star School by Texas Monthly magazine. Patsy is an active member of TEPSA, the state principals’ association, serving as first vice-president at the district level. She is a frequent presenter at state and district conventions. The University of Texas chapter, Beta Gamma, has honored Patsy by creating and naming a scholarship for her; the scholarship is given annually to an outstanding