Betty Holzendorf doesn't consider herself to be anyone special. "I'm an
ordinary person. When I see something that needs doing, I do it." That attitude
has propelled her to extraordinary accomplishments helping her community and the
University of North Florida.
From Jacksonville to Tallahassee, Holzendorf has established a reputation of
succinctly stating the problem and working hard to find potential solutions. In
many cases those solutions include enhancing educational programs for everyone
from toddlers to university students. Because of her work, her legacy will live
on in future generations both in Jacksonville and in Florida.
The generations of her own family are testament to the value she places on
education. Three of her four children are UNF graduates and her grandchildren
make the third generation of Holzendorfs to attend the University.
Holzendorf attended Edward Waters College for two years before taking a job
in a medical lab. After working in the lab for a time, she went back to EWC to
finish her bachelor's degree. She and her husband King Holzendorf then started
raising a family. After having two young children, Holzendorf gave into her
mother's wishes and returned to college. Since UNF was not in existence at the
time, it was not possible to get her master's degree in Jacksonville. As a
result, she went out-of-state and received a master's degree in biochemistry
from Atlanta University.
She worked as a teacher in the Jacksonville public schools for a time
teaching biology but decided she wanted to be an administrator. Dr. Andrew
Robinson, a driving force in the early years of UNF, convinced her to come to
the University to get a second master's degree, this time in educational
administration. She was a member of the charter graduating class in 1973. "I
never would have launched my career and gotten so involved, if it weren't for
UNF."
Holzendorf didn't become a school administrator but did enter public service
in various city positions for Jacksonville mayors Hans Tanzler and Jake Godbold,
whom she considers her political mentor. She entered political life almost by
accident. After the resignation of a representative from Jacksonville, she was
asked to serve the remainder of his term as a "placeholder." As it turned out,
she was anything but a placeholder, going on to be elected to her own terms in
the House and the Senate while championing numerous educational causes. "I've
always enjoyed helping people and the community."
At the City Council level she was instrumental in the establishment of
community centers throughout Jacksonville. At the state level she conceived a
project for latchkey children which eventually became the Florida Safe Schools
Program. At UNF she worked with then President Dr. Adam Herbert to establish
extended internships for student teachers, a program which continues today as
the highly successful Urban Internship Program. She also was a tenacious
advocate in the statehouse for UNF securing appropriations for construction of
UNF's University Center, which today is served by Betty Holzendorf Drive. Her
educational experiences at UNF and Edward Waters College also prompted her to
work hard over the years to promote a partnership between the two
institutions.
Although she is no longer in public office, Holzendorf has not stopped
helping her community. She is co-chair of the Jacksonville Journey, a community
effort to find solutions to Jacksonville's rising crime rate. Once again
education is one of her top priorities in finding solutions.
"I look at high quality, well-funded public education as the best way to
solve many of our problems. A good public education gives our children a broad
base of experience and produces well-rounded individuals. I see UNF as playing
an integral part of that education system."
Throughout the years, whether in public or private life, those who know
Holzendorf realize when she wants to vent her frustrations she goes to the
kitchen and cooks. In Tallahassee she earned a reputation for feeding many
lawmakers as she championed various bills through approval. Holzendorf sees
cooking in the same way she views life: A measure of commitment, spiced with a
touch of perseverance is the recipe for repeated success
