Margaret “Hodgie” Bricke Ph.D
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Margaret “Hodgie” Bricke, who retired as University of Kansas Assistant Vice Provost for International Programs in 2012, died Sunday, January 19, 2020 in her Lawrence, Kansas, home. She was 80.
Dr. Bricke, who was known by all as “Hodgie,” (a name she selected for herself as a child), had a life-long passion for international education, her family, cooking, reading, gardening, and all things Scotland.
Born July 2, 1939 in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1939, she spent hours in her father John Bennett Shaw’s Tulsa Book and Record Shop reading, working and perusing his extensive Sherlock Holmes collection. Her mother Margaret Shaw had a Master’s degree in petroleum engineering.
Hodgie attended Catholic schools and was valedictorian of her graduating class at Monte Cassino School, Tulsa, in 1959, earning a full scholarship to attend Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana.
As an undergraduate she majored in history combined with an interdisciplinary program incorporating art history, literature, philosophy and religion. She graduated in 1961. After graduation she took her first international trip to Europe. Using a Eurail Pass, she spent three months with two classmates touring 14 countries.
Hodgie saw studying abroad as a critical way for students to broaden their horizons, learn self-reliance and appreciate other cultures and societies. She told one interviewer, “the best way to promote peace is to promote mutual understanding between people of different societies and cultures.”
After her European sojourn, Hodgie attended Fordham University in New York City to study medieval history and graduated with a Master’s Degree in 1963. At that point she moved to Lawrence to attend KU as part of a doctoral program in European history.
Her education was interrupted when she married John “Jack” Bricke in 1964, and moved to Edinburgh, Scotland, where Jack began his graduate studies at the University of Edinburgh.
During the three years Hodgie and Jack were in Scotland, Hodgie taught history, English, gym and religious studies in a secondary school for two years. She then resumed research at the National Archives of Scotland for her Ph.D. focusing on Scottish history.
The couple returned to Kansas in 1968 when Jack accepted a position in the KU Philosophy Department. Hodgie continued work on her dissertation but was interrupted in that effort by various temporary teaching positions at Baker University and at KU. In 1972, she received her Ph.D. in Modern European History.
In 1975, the couple returned to Scotland so Jack could continue his research on philosopher David Hume. That year their son, Ian, was born in Edinburgh.
Hodgie claimed her career as a professional in international education was accidental. “I was a stay at home mom, doing some occasional work for a publishing firm in Kansas City, when I received a call from [a KU administrator] asking if I might be interested in a part-time job in the Office of International Studies. I was actually mopping the kitchen floor when the phone rang… so, with little hesitation I agreed.”
While Hodgie began as a program assistant for International Programs in 1989, her role steadily increased, first to Assistant Dean in 1991, and then to Interim Co-Associate Vice Provost in 2007, and finally to Assistant Vice Provost in 2009. International Programs is the head office for the three offices that make up international education at KU–Study Abroad, International Student Services, and the Applied English Center.
During those years she assisted in making KU one of the nation’s leaders in student participation in study abroad programs. She did that, in part, by leading the British Summer Institute (a 4-5 week summer program) for seven years, encouraging and training others to develop and lead study abroad programs of their own, and teaching an Honors Tutorial in international education for several years.
Nearly 16 years ago, she was chair of the committee that developed the KU Global Awareness Program, which allows undergraduates at KU to earn special notations on their final transcripts showing “global awareness.” She called the program one of her crowning achievements.
Hodgie eventually focused on the Fulbright program. She worked with 20 to 30 students annually as they applied for Fulbright scholarships to go abroad. She also directed the KU graduate direct exchange program working with Fulbright-nominated educators in diverse countries including the former Soviet Union, Russia, Ukraine, Azirbaijan, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Albania. In all, Hodgie estimated she helped bring nearly 100 foreign educators to KU.
She was also awarded two Fulbright grants herself for International Education Administrators, first to Germany in 1993 and then to Japan in 2000. She received the “Outstanding Service to the Fulbright Program Award” from the Institute of International Education in 2010.
“I was [the Fulbright] coordinator, which was a very rich experience.” she said. “I learned from these folks information about a part of the world about which I knew nothing.”
Hodgie also received Certificates of Appreciation from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of State, and awards for outstanding service to the Junior Faculty Development Program since 1994. She served as President of Middle American Universities International from 2009 to 2011, and as National Vice-President for Phi Beta Delta, the Honor Society for International Scholars, from 1997 to 1999.
Up until her death, Hodgie swam several miles three times a week, was a regular parishioner at St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, and was a weekly volunteer at Small World, a program for international women living in Lawrence, where she first worked with children and then their mothers helping them to learn English and other skills.
She was a life-long Democratic activist and supporter, beginning her involvement in politics as a high school student putting up posters for Democratic candidates in then solidly-Republican Tulsa.
Hodgie is survived by, among others, her husband, Jack; her son and daughter-in-law Ian and Jessica Bricke and granddaughter Pilar Bricke, all of Los Angeles, California; her brother and sister-in-law Pat and Georgia Shaw of Bethesda, Maryland; her sister Barbara Shaw of Minneapolis, Minnesota; her sister and brother-in-law Mary Shaw and Michael Mahar, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; nephews J. Brendan Shaw, of Dayton, Ohio, Mickey Mahar of Berlin, Germany; and nieces Brigid Shaw of Boston, Massachusetts, and Nicole Merrill of Eugene, Oregon. Her parents John Bennett Shaw and Margaret Fitzgerald Shaw and her sister Catherine Shaw are deceased.
A memorial service will be held at St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center (1631 Crescent Rd, Lawrence, KS 66044) at 2pm on Saturday, February 1st. A subsequent celebration of life will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Small World and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.(http://smallworldlawrence.blogspot.com/p/contact.html).
Dear Jack: our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Hodgie was a wonderful, warm, and loving person and will be sadly missed.
Dick and Mo
Dear Jack and Family,
Joe and I send our condolences and have all of Hodgie’s family in our thoughts and prayers. Hodgie made a difference in so many lives, including mine. Her impact will be felt for many years and the GAP program is a lasting legacy. We regret we are out town and cannot attend the memorial service on the 1st. We will be thinking about you.
Diana Carlin
Dear Jack and family,
Joaquin and I send your our love and deepest condolences. For many of us, Fulbrighters, Hodgie was the first and best support at KU. She was incredibly smart, witty, and resourceful. With her help and guidance we created the KU Fulbright Scholar Association back in 2004 and transformed it into the amazing supportive network it has become. She was family! When she asked me to speak at her retirement ceremony, I quoted Maya Angelou, “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” because I will never forget that she and you, Jack, made us feel home; when we had nobody and were new to the US, she was like a momma bear for many of us. She was always there for us, supporting and encouraging us. She had so much knowledge, experience, and wisdom that I can only feel thankful and lucky to have known her, to have had her on my corner, as my momma bear. My heart is broken and I will miss her terribly????????????
Dear Jack and family,
We are so sorry to get the news. Our deepest condolences. I will miss seeing Hodgie at the pool. She was one in a million and her impact has been and will continue to be felt for a very long time.
Hodgie continues to be a light. What a beautiful life she created.
My condolences to her family and friends.
Zaida Ugalde KU SAGE, Costa Rica
Dear Jack and family,
My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Hodgie was an amazing person and I was lucky to know her.
warmest wishes and condolences,
Julie
Dear Jack and Ian and family: I am deeply saddened by the news of Hodgie’s passing. She was a remarkable woman and I deeply admired her wit and humanity. I wish you the best in coping with this loss. Very sincerely, Joe VanZandt
Dear Jack and Ian,
Hodgie was a true friend to hundreds of people. Her brilliance, generosity, hospitality, engaging ways, and wit are unmatched. I’m awed by all she did during her lifetime–all the ways she made the world a better place. When Mike was ill, Hodgie was the one who organized a brigade of dinner-bringers. In earlier years, she drank him under the table. Truly remarkable range of talents!!! May you be blessed with strength, faith, love, memories, and her ongoing presence.
Jack and Family,
Hodgie underscores just how much one person can do to improve the lives of others. Her legacy resides, not only among her family, but also through the countless students and faculty whose lives she changed in so many good ways. We know better than to assume that Hodgie will rest in peace. Hodgie never rested when there was still good to be done. May her memory continue to stir us.
I never met Hodgie but from what i have read, She must have been very devouted to her work . It was a blessing having her work with international students , helping in church and many others . May she RIP till we meet again.
Jack and Family,
A brilliant, deeply caring woman who led a remarkable life and made the world so much better a place for those with the good fortune to inhabit it with her. She will be deeply missed by her extended KU family. Holding you close in our thoughts. May her memory be for a blessing.
Jack and Family – We are saddened to learn of Hodgie’s passing. It was always a pleasure to run into her at Weaver’s, SLC or on Hillcrest. She will be missed. You all are in our prayers.
God bless,
Molly and Brady
Dear Jack, dear Ian and Family,
We are shocked and very sad. Hodgie was such a wonderful woman who touched our lives in such a profound way over the almost 30 years of our friendship. Our thoughts are with you and we hope that the memories of her provide comfort and support. Our deepest condolences and best wishes.
Maribel & Uwe
Dearest Jack, Ian, Jessica, and Pilar, I can scarcely tell you how shocked and saddened I am by Hodgie’s death. Hodgie has been my friend for more than 50 years. Her spirited smile expressing her loyal friendship, her joy in life, her quirky sense of humor, and her lively interest in her community, her friends, and her family will always be with me, in my mind. I will never forget her. She was good at everything she did, whether concerning her work with international programs, her knowledge of British constitutional history, her appreciation of books and music, her love for Jack, her pride in Ian, Jessica, and Pilar, or the dinner she was preparing. She lived a good life of many accomplishments and enjoyed her many interests in retirement. I could always count on Hodgie for advice, comfort, and just plain good conversation. Who will play cribbage with me with her concentrated competition? I grieve with you and for you in the loss of such a fine woman, my friend, but your wife, mother, and grandmother.
Dear Jack, Ian, Jessica, and Pilar,
My life is richer for having enjoyed a friendship with Hodgie. While I’m deeply saddened by her loss, I am briefly comforted by the many memories of time we shared together. May you find peace as you process this change in your world.
With deepest condolences,
Lisa
Jack, Ian, Jessica, Pilar,
She was a very bright light in our lives, and her warmth and illumination shined. We know you are feeling the loss now, as are we. We thank God for having had her in our lives. May we all find comfort in the vibrant memories she left, and use her efforts as examples for our own.
With love,
Georgia and Pat
Dear Jack, Ian, Jessica, and Pilar,
There aren’t words to adequately convey how very special Hodgie was to all who knew her. She embodied the best at every level — personally, professionally, and civically, she showed us the right way to do things. It is such a privilege to have known her. We will miss her deeply but have many, many wonderful memories to share.
With deepest condolences,
Joe, Sheryl, Lauren & Kelsey Potts
Uncle John, Ian, Jessica and Pilar,
We are so sorry to hear about Aunt Hodgie’s passing, but we’re so thankful we got to spend Thanksgiving with her this year and so many running. We can’t make it to Kansas for her memorial but will be remembering her in our own way in New York. Olivia is also pushing to make a memorial for her on our offrenda near Grandma Nora, Grandpa Jack and others. Our thoughts are with you and we hope to see you soon.
The Hartmanns
Hodgie was a wonderful person and it was so great to know her. I will miss seeing her at Small World and her wonderful smile.
With deepest condolences,
Latha Perera
Dear Jack,
Hodgie was an amazing woman and a remarkable contributor to the KU International Program, and the KU and Lawrence International Community.
Wishing you and your family peace and comfort . With deepest sympathy.
Dear Jack and Family,
My deepest sympathy goes out to you. I am one of many international students and scholars for whom Hodgie opened her heart and home. In 1996 she met me at an airport in Kansas City and brought me to Lawrence. Hodgie helped me to adjust to a new country. I could always count on her support and advice. She was family. Fond memories of this remarkable woman will always be in my heart.
May you find strength, courage and peace in this tough time. You are in my prayers.
Jack and Ian,
Julia and I have cherished spending time with Hodgie over the years. She always had a smile for us and was eager to hear how Grace was exploring the world. I have heard from several friends who studied abroad over the years and they have uniformly mentioned Hodgie’s help and insights about being an American abroad. She did much good and our Easters won’t the the same without her.
Jim and Julia Mechler
I wish to extend my condolences to the family of Hodgie, both personally and on behalf of the entire KU Board of Advisors, International Programs, of which I am presently Chairman. Hodgie’s intelligence and respectfully expressed irreverence were a delight. Her dedication to all things international as a means to a better world was an inspiration. I enjoyed greatly working with Hodgie as both a member of the Board of Advisors, International Programs, and as a frequent participant in KU international career day activities, which she organized. One of my daughters earned the GAP certificate at KU, so Hodgie’s energy has even benefitted my family’ personally. Hodgie, a wonderful woman with a one-of-a-kind personality, will be greatly missed by all who had the good fortune to know and work with her.
Dear Jack and Ian,
I so deeply regret not knowing of Hodgie’s passing until today. I can assure you I would have been present at the memorial had I only known. I send you my deepest, heartfelt condolences. I can only begin to imagine the depth of your loss as I am heartbroken by the news.
Hodgie and I met on the first morning of the German Fulbright program in Bonn, bound by a common interest. I think it was 1993? We were the only swimmers in the group, and we set off to find the local pool, which was only a couple of blocks away. At the time, I could not imagine that we would first become great colleagues and even better friends.
I only wish I could have shared her wit, intelligence, laughter, and loving nature one more time, but I am reminded that I was deeply blessed by the simple fact that our paths crossed. I relished ever moment of my time with her.
Be assured, her star shines bright in the night sky.
My thoughts and prayers remain with you always.
Yours,
Kirk Simmons
Dear Jack,
My deepest condolences to you, and the rest of the family at the passing of Hodgie. I really did not have any reason to interact closely with Hodgie during my first ten years at KU, then Fulbright happened. A Fulbright student from Germany took one of my classes and the connection was made! We both kept in touch with the student, post-Fulbright, when she returned for her doctoral studies, and beyond. Often, Hodgie would greet me with, “and how is our friend?” – usually initiating an impromptu call to the student, just to chat. Hodgie also encouraged me to host a couple of Fulbright scholars, and it was a most rewarding experience.
Hodgie was warm, friendly and caring. I will miss her ever present smile, and rich wit. Continue to Rest in Peace, dear Hodgie.
‘Folabo.
My belated condolences. My life has been forever better because of her support in getting me abroad on a graduate exchange in Zurich. I am just one of many she influenced for the better.