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A Life of Service to Others
Norrine Bailey Spencer

The Virginia Network has been an active, thriving organization for more than 30 years, providing a wide range of programming and networking opportunities to women administrators throughout Virginia. For 20 of those years, Norrine Bailey Spencer served on the Executive Board (1988–2007) and in every possible leadership role. She, along with Teresa Gonzalez, provided the organizational wisdom—and glue—that held the Network Board together over many years, and gave it such a solid foundation on which we continue to build. Norrine mentored dozens of members of the Network, but her reach went far beyond this organization to touch the lives of many others through her work in her church, on the board of Susquehanna University—her alma mater, raising her voice in song with the Blacksburg Master Chorale, and devoting endless hours to non-profit boards and causes.

Virginia Tech has been the beneficiary of her tireless commitment to students, where she served more than 20 years as Associate Dean of the Pamplin College of Business, and where she is currently Associate Provost and Director of Undergraduate Admissions. In every role, she brings her unique blend of energy, optimism, and professionalism. Her shoes will be difficult to fill as she moves toward retirement in the coming months.

Shirley Glover, a long-time colleague from the Network Board, shared this thought: "Today both Norrine and I face life-changing health challenges. Stories of Norrine's positive attitude, courage and strength inspire me to live every day to the fullest." Norrine clearly models for all of us the importance of focusing on what matters most, in cherishing her grandchildren, her husband and family, friends near and far, her cats, and the beauty of the world around her.

"She has never been too busy to support those of us facing our own crises," says Meta Braymer, a dean at University of Mary Washington. "She listens to and remembers the concerns of colleagues and friends; she is a genuinely warm and caring person." Indeed, Norrine is constantly in search of the right card to send her thanks or wishes for a speedy recovery, or simply to say "I'm thinking of you…" On our many road trips together to Network Board meetings, there would be a basket of goodies (always artistically arranged) to snack on as we drove. Frequently, there was also a beautifully wrapped gift that needed to be dropped off to someone on the way. She never travels out of town without trying to connect with distant friends or former colleagues or students. She remembers and acknowledges so many occasions in the lives of others, and she and her husband are the consummate hosts to friends and co-workers.

This tribute is a "thank you" for the inspiration she provides to all of us and for the talent, energy, and care that she has shared so generously with so many others.

—Submitted by Pat Hyer
   Virginia Network Executive Board
   Associate Provost, Virginia Tech