In Memoriam of Virginia "Ginny" Felstehausen

Virginia "Ginny" Felstehausen, Ph.D., left quite the mark on the lives she touched in her time with us. Dr. Ginny's fierce loyalty to her family, friends, and colleagues was unwavering in all of her days. Her dedication to education, research, and service to her students was met with smiles wherever she went.

Dr. Ginny served as a member of the Family and Consumer Sciences Education faculty for 23 years before her retirement in 2007. During that time, she received many awards including the Texas Tech University President's Academic Achievement Award and the Leader of the Year Award from the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences' Thomas Kimball, Ph.D., says Dr. Ginny was a passionate teacher and professional during his time as both a Texas Tech student and as a colleague in the College of Human Sciences.

"Dr. Ginny was always herself.  She was comfortable in her own skin.  This was true in what she chose to wear and in how she shared her opinions.  I remember always being impressed with her attentiveness when we talked together."

Dr. Kimball says Dr. Ginny's kindness is something he will never forget.

"She was encouraging to everyone regardless of status.  She was a rare person who knew being a kind and real person is more important than anything and transcends all interactions."

Associate Chair for Human Development and Family Studies Mitzi Ziegner thinks back on Dr. Ginny's time with Phi Upsilon Omicron, an honor society in the College of Human Sciences.

"I took over as the College of Human Sciences honor society's Phi Upsilon Omicron faculty advisor after Dr. Ginny filled that role for many years, and she was always so supportive and helpful to me in that transition.  My husband and I used to pick her up and take her to initiation ceremonies with us for several years so she could still remain connected to an organization she loved."

Mitzi says that she will always remember Dr. Ginny as a lovely person who will be sincerely missed.

"She was a truly gracious lady and always so warm and kind. Under her leadership, the Texas Tech Omega chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron became the largest in the country and I was privileged, proud, and very blessed to work with our outstanding college honor students to continue that high standard and tradition."

During her time at Texas Tech, Dr. Ginny taught undergraduate and graduate courses in the Family and Consumer Sciences Education program. Dr. Ginny was a dedicated researcher and the recipient of countless awards. In addition to writing numerous publications in her research, Dr. Ginny co-authored the Skills for Life textbook still being used in the Texas school system.

Dr. Ginny was also known for her love of Red Raider sports and was often seen at Lady Raider basketball games. Dr. Ginny's fervent support of the Lady Raiders did not go unnoticed. She quickly earned herself a spot as one of the first women on the Texas Tech Athletic Council Advisory Committee.

Dr. Ginny was said to never have truly given up her role as an educator and teacher, often offering her expertise and kind advice to those around her wherever she went.

Dr. Ginny's family and close friends celebrated her life on May 19 at the Carillon Clubhouse in Lubbock. In honor of her and in memory of her husband, her family, friends, and colleagues for the academic aftercare of recovering students have established the Virginia Felstehausen-Dick Pagel Scholarship.