About Our Namesake

Dr. Bettye Myers was born in Heavener, Oklahoma Sept. 26, 1926, to Jay and Gladys Myers. Her mother was a school teacher and her father was a railroad engineer. She grew up in Heavener with her brother Lt. Col. William G. Myers and a host of family, friends, teachers, and peers who have all blessed her with a lifetime of being loved. Dr. Myers has invested more than 65 years of her life sharing this love with her students.

After completing the 11th grade, Dr. Myers enrolled in college. She finished her Bachelor’s Degree in three years and her Master’s Degree during her fourth year of post-secondary education. Her Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees are from Texas Woman’s University. Her field of study was health, physical education, and recreation. She later earned a PhD in counseling from the University of Michigan. Her career is distinguished by her outstanding teaching and her continued service to others.

Following teaching positions at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, Alabama College, and the University of Michigan, Dr. Myers returned to TWU as a faculty member in 1961. Since then, she has devoted her time, talent and resources to serve many community organizations. She has served in leadership positions with AIDS Services of North Texas, Denton City-County Day School, Family Resource Center, Flow Health Care Foundation, Cross Timbers Girl Scout Council, Kiwanis International, United Way, and the Denton Parks Foundation. She was elected to the Denton Independent School Board and served as president. Her service to the city was recognized when the Mayor of Denton declared Sept. 26, 2006, as “Bettye Myers Day.”

She has received over 30 awards including the TWU Cornaro Award for outstanding senior faculty; Lay Person of the Year, Division 38, Texas/Oklahoma District, Kiwanis International; the Lieutenant Governor Award, International Foundation, Kiwanis International; R.S.V.P. Carol Riddlesperger Community Service Award; American Heart Association, Texas Affiliate, Distinguished Service Award; David K. Brace Award; and The Honor Award from Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Dr. Myers was even named Honorary Member of the American Airlines Association of Professional Flight Attendants.

Dr. Myers is viewed as a great motivational speaker having given over 130 speeches/talks and conducted 245 workshops and seminars with a wide variety of audiences throughout the United States and Guam.

Bettye Myers, Ph.D., was a Professor of Kinesiology at Texas Woman's University. At 85 years young, Bettye said that "she will continue teaching until it is no longer fun." Bettye was a very dynamic leader with a servant's heart. At the age of 92, Dr. Myers passed on Feb. 18, 2019. As an active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Bettye served in many capacities there. Bettye Myers is well remembered in Denton as an outstanding educator, a humanitarian, and a shining example of service and devotion.

Some of Dr. Myer’s favorite quotes include: