Mary Eugenia Askew

Professor Mary Eugenia Askew, 70, of Baldwin City, passed away on September 27, 2012. She was born November, 12, 1941 in Houston, Texas, the daughter of Hubert C Askew and Mary E (Philp) Askew. Mary grew up in Houston, Texas and was a 1960 graduate of Lamar High School, Houston.
As an Assistant Professor of Physical Education, Eugenia, joined the Baker University faculty after teaching English, Drama, and Art at Keyes High School in Keyes, Oklahoma. She obtained a B.S. from Sam Houston State University, a M.S. from the University of Oklahoma and a degree from the Boson Sports Institute (Boson, Sweden). In 1993, she earned a M.A. in History of Art from Kansas University.
Eugenia’s main teaching assignments were Physiology of Exercise, Motor Learning, History and Philosophy of Physical Education, dance courses, and various activity courses in physical education. Prior to that, she taught Biomechanics, Methods of Secondary Physical Education, Movement and Dance for the Elementary School, Theory of Coaching Tennis and Volleyball. Her interterm classes include the Ultimate Athlete, Psychology of Women Athletes, Film Experiences, Dance and Choreography, Ethics in Sport and two travel interterms: Humanities in London and the Study of Sport in Sweden.
The modern era of women’s sports, at Baker, was started by Eugenia. She began the Women’s tennis Team in 1972, winning the first Heart of America Athletic Conference championship in 1983. She was the first volleyball coach, winning the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women championship in 1980 and the HAAC championship in 1978 and 1981.
Eugenia served Baker in many capacities. She was Dean of Women and Panhellenic Advisor and has served on Student Life Committee, Student LegislationBoard,Cultural Events Committee and the Education Programs Committee.
She studied modern dance in New York City; she danced in the Martha Graham Studio and presented a piece of choreography under the teaching of Pearl Lange. Also she studied in the studios of Alvin Ailey and Merc Cunningham and Choreographed several dances at Baker University which include “Reflection”, “Ghosts”, “Reflection On a String”, “Sermon”, “Composition in Three: Variations I and II”, “Buckaroo Bonzi”, “Lilly”, and “Sail Away”.
She is survived by her mother, Mary Askew of Houston, Texas; Brother, Dr. Hubert Askew and his wife, Rebecca, of Houston, Texas; two nieces, Susan Sanders and Nancy Witmer, both of Houston, Texas, and five great nieces.
Eugenia was preceded in death by her father, Hubert Askew.
Memorial services will be Saturday, October 13, 11:00 am at Osborne Chapel-Baker University Campus, Baldwin City.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Baker University Scholarship Fund, c/o Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, 712 Ninth Street, Baldwin City, Kansas 66006. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.
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