SEPTEMBER
2001
A BELIEVER IN THE FAMILY HELPS FSU PASS THE WORD
Virginia Bert, a Florida State alumna who has worked hard for her beliefs, is advancing one of her deepest convictions-the importance of a strong family -with a contribution of money and energy to the university.
"Florida State is the ideal place for the gift because the administration, students, faculty, staff and friends foster the strong feeling of family," said Bert, who is well known for handing out "hearts and hugs" wherever the family feeling is needed.
"The family is defined as a support system for an individual,"
she explained.
In 1994, Bert committed the proceeds from the sale of $1 million worth of her land to establish an eminent scholar chair in the Family Institute of the College of Human Sciences at FSU.
The 1998 sale of part of the Bert family tobacco farm in Gadsden County created the Bert Family Eminent Scholar Chair. But Bert's contribution didn't end; her agreement included her participation in programs at FSU to develop models of families.
"Families of today are not a mom, pop and two kids," she said. "Each individual ... needs a support system that may be relatives, friends, other individuals, organizations or a community."
Bert believes that the Family Institute should educate for strong families through the development of the strengths of the families: commitment to each other; appreciation of each other; communication; sharing time; physical, mental and spiritual wellness; and managing resources.
Following family tradition, Bert enrolled at Florida State College for Women in 1946.
"It is quite a tradition," she said. Her mother, five aunts, some cousins, two nieces, other kin, and students she has taught are all graduates of FSCW or FSU.
Bert earned a bachelor's degree in home economics education in 1950.
She began teaching at Union County High School at Lake Butler. Then she couldn't resist when the principal of Havana High School asked her to come home to teach.
A few years later, Bert returned to FSU to earn her master's degree and a Ph.D. in home economics education.
In 1967 she began work with the Florida Department of Education where, for more than 15 years, she hunted grants for vocational education programs and developed model programs and curricula. Eventually she was promoted to director of research and development for vocational programs. In 1980, she moved to a position to hunt for external funds for vocational programs in school districts, community colleges and universities.
In 1985, she became state director for home economics education. In that position, she supervised the redevelopment and upgrade of a home economics education curriculum and supervised the largest number of enrollments of home economics programs in the United States.
At the heart of the programs was the goal to emphasize the structure of a family and motivate students and faculty to work together as family members.
"I have always thought that you need examples to follow, " Bert said. And she believes the major role of the Family Institute is "to educate for strong families by developing unique systems to provide models of family-friendly activities."
In 2000, she retired from the Department of Education.
Bert says she is excited about the future of the Family Institute.
"I'll keep working at strengthening families to honor my
family and my profession," said Bert, who placed a red-heart
sticker on a visitor's lapel and opened her arms to give a hug.
The visitor had come on business, but left as a friend, almost
a family member.
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VIRGINIA BERT