Joan and Macon Brock
When Macon Brock calls Virginia Wesleyan College a "rib" from Randolph-Macon College, the biblical reference seems fitting.
They are both private schools with deep ties to The United Methodist Church. Wesleyan was founded in 1961, while Randolph-Macon was founded in 1830. Lambuth Clarke, an administrator of Randolph-Macon College, was tapped to succeed Dr. Joseph S. Johnston as president of VWC, soon after the college was established on the Norfolk/Virginia Beach line.
Four decades later, leadership of both colleges has intersected again. Macon Brock is chairman of the Randolph-Macon College Board of Trustees, and his wife, Joan, is chairman of Wesleyan's Board of Trustees.
While it is a coincidence that husband and wife are simultaneously at the helms of the colleges, it is no accident. Both have crafted strong legacies of involvement in higher education, and they make no secret of harboring a passion for small colleges and the value of a liberal arts education. Macon is a graduate of Randolph-Macon located in Ashland, while Joan's alma mater is Longwood College, which recently changed its name to Longwood University.
Macon is chairman and CEO of Dollar Tree Stores, Inc., headquartered in Chesapeake. Dollar Tree is the leading operator of discount variety stores offering merchandise for $1. Joan is a major shareholder and served for 11 years as assistant secretary/treasurer of the $2.3-billion company, which operates 2,300 stores in 38 states. The Brocks, who met in eighth grade and married in 1964, grew up in Norfolk and have lived in Virginia Beach for 27 years. They have three grown children.
"Having experienced a small liberal arts college, I've seen first-hand the kind of education you can receive at that kind of school," says Macon. "The student-faculty relationships that develop, as well as the lifetime friendships you form in that type of environment, are things you just can't get from the large universities. I believe small colleges provide a preferential education for many - not all, perhaps - but many."
Macon says the small student-faculty ratio at colleges like Randolph-Macon and Wesleyan provides a quality that cannot be found in universities that routinely offer large lecture classes "for 600 students."
"Small colleges have faculty who teach because they love teaching, and the students benefit from that. I find that vastly superior to large public universities."
"I believe in small liberal arts colleges," agrees Joan. "Colleges such as Virginia Wesleyan provide a real niche. Since they aren't state supported, the community should share the responsibility for aiding their growth and development."
The former high school math teacher says her involvement in Wesleyan goes back to the days when her uncle, Douglas McIntyre, served as the college's first registrar and was a faculty member for 25 years. Her father, Kenneth R. Perry, served as chairman of the President's Advisory Council (PAC) and continues to serve as a trustee emeritus. Various cousins, nieces and nephews attended VWC.
"I like to think that Virginia Wesleyan is one of the family," she says.
Joan has served as chairman of the PAC and was elected to the Board of Trustees five years ago. She served as a member of the steering committee for Wesleyan's last capital campaign, Consider the Harvest, which ended in December 1998 after raising $36.5 million. The goal was $25 million. She served as vice chairman of the board from 1998 to 2001, then became chairman a year ago.
"Joan Brock may be tiny in stature but she is a giant of a leader," says VVC President Billy Greer. "Her commitment to and passion for higher education in general and Virginia Wesleyan in particular makes it a joy to be in her presence. We are enormously fortunate to have her as our board chairman."
Macon's connections with Randolph-Macon College also run deep. He became a member of the Board of Associates after graduating in 1964 and a member of the Board of Trustees in 1992. In 1999 he became chairman.
"Our son, Macon Brock III, graduated from R-MC in 1995, drawing us even closer to the college," Macon says.
Roger H. Martin, president of R-MC, believes Macon personifies the best of a liberal arts and sciences education. "Macon's major in the classics gave him the intellectual tools to become one of the most successful businessmen in the country," says Martin.
"He then gave back to the college, not only as a philanthropist, but as a leader. He and other people like him are a major reason why independent liberal arts colleges in this country are unequalled in excellence and quality."
The Brocks' philanthropy for higher education is significant. In gratitude for their leadership of the new student sports and recreation center, Randolph-Macon honored them by naming the facility for them. Recently, the Brocks provided a leadership gift at R-MC in the form of a challenge gift in an effort to raise $5 million for the endowment of the college.
At VWC, the Brocks endowed the Joan and Macon Brock Directorship for the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom and the Douglas E. McIntyre Mentor Scholarship, as well as supported all areas of the campus including athletics, general scholarships, music and the Women of Wesleyan, a college fundraising and support group.
In addition, the Brocks gave a leadership gift to Longwood University last year designated for Brock Commons, a beautifully landscaped promenade that will be redesigned to create a pedestrian mall that will serve as the central focal point for the college.
Both Brocks agree financial pressures are the biggest challenge confronting R-MC, VWC and all small, private schools. "There is no state money to help private institutions other than the Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) for Virginia residents, and TAG money is decreasing," says Macon. "So private schools are striving to tell their stories in a sea of public universities who have more resources."
The Brocks do not view the fact of their simultaneous chairmanships as posing any conflicts but rather as opportunities to "share and contrast ideas" about similar issues and problems.
"Randolph-Macon is the granddaddy of Virginia Wesleyan," Macon says. "While the two schools do compete for students somewhat, they are still complementary. Joan and I believe in teamwork, and there really are no secrets in education."
While the Brocks' religious affiliation is Episcopal, Macon says they have "a high appreciation for United Methodists. Their teaching of values is as important as academic education, and they show that with their support of these schools."