Monthly Faculty Bio Phegley Retires after 38 Years with WVC
Faith , Phegley aims to motivate and encourage her readers using Scriptures. Both books are available on Amazon for purchase. Phegley’s hobbies include reading (devotional books, biographies, history), writing (creatively and letter-writing), scrapbooking, walking, and dancing (aerobic-type dancing). Her retirement plans include her continuous love for writing. She also plans to spend time with her grandchildren and become more involved in Operation Christmas Child. Some of her favorite memories from WVC involve Spring Fever Days, her involvement in Phi Theta Kappa, and the golden WVC moment of when the Warriors Basketball team won the national championship in 2001. “I loved teaching at WVC for 38 years,” Phegley expressed. “I felt like I made a difference in the lives of 10,000 students who became leaders in the community, country, and the world.” Phegley has this piece of advice for incoming students: “Aim for success in all aspects of your life and follow your passion. Try to imagine having a career that you would do even if you did not get paid. Then you know you love it! Realize that your path to success may be different from your friends and relatives. Remember to enjoy each day, and do not worry if you do not reach all your goals immediately. Sometimes the detours along the way lead you to better goals in life.”
The 2021-22 academic year marked the last year of teaching for Brenda Phegley at Wabash Valley College (WVC). This year marked the 38th years of Brenda’s employment with IECC/WVC. Mrs. Phegley also served as the WVC Phi Theta Kappa advisor for 36 years. After graduating from Mt. Carmel High School in 1976, Phegley began her college career at WVC. “Attending WVC was one of the best decisions in my life,” Phegley stated. “I assumed leadership roles in Student Congress and the WVC Singers. [I was also] the featured baton twirler at basketball games.” During her two years at WVC, Phegley worked as a lifeguard at the WVC pool and taught baton and swimming lessons. At WVC, Phegley not only made many friends, but also met her future husband of 42 years, Terry Phegley. Upon graduating with high honors from WVC in 1978, Phegley received an academic scholarship to Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale. At
Brenda Phegley presents the Transfer Scholarship to Maggee Bleyer at the 2022 Commencement Ceremony.
SIU, she was a baton twirler who performed at SIU football and basketball games. After graduating with high honors from SIU in 1980, Phegley and Terry married in June of the same year. In August 1980, Phegley began her first teaching job at Bone Gap and West Salem grade schools in Illinois. She decided to advance her education by pursuing a Master of Arts degree at the University of Evansville (UE) in 1981. She graduated with high honors from UE in 1983 and was offered a part-time teaching position at WVC. By August of 1984 Mrs. Phegley was offered a position as a full-time instructor. “When I first began teaching at WVC in 1984,” Phegley said, “I quickly realized that I had much to learn. Even though I had experience teaching part-time classes for WVC, teaching full-time college classes was more challenging. I spent many hours making lesson plans and grading papers; however, I loved what I was doing. I persevered and had a wonderful first year at WVC!” In January of 1985 Phegley and her husband moved into the home they began building in 1984. In November of the same year, Phegley’s first daughter, Julie, was born. In June 1988, her second daughter, Amy, was born. Phegley held many roles at WVC, including Phi Theta Kappa Advisor, Reader for Scholar Classic (20 years), Peer Counselor Advisor (8 years), WVC Cheerleading Sponsor, Transfer Instructor of the Year (5 years), and served on the 50th and 55th Anniversary Committees for WVC. Phegley also enjoys helping her community, such as being involved with Parkview Christian Church (greeter, volunteer for Operation Christmas Child) and being a judge for DAR and American Legion essay contests. As well as being an accomplished instructor, Phegley is also a published author. Phegley loves to write. Through her two devotional books, Prescription for a Cheerful Heart and Venture Forth with
Article by Maggee Bleyer
12 / View from the Valley
13 / View from the Valley
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