By Christi Mays
When senior pre-occupational therapy major Anna Hoecke decided to come to UMHB, it seemed befitting, and maybe even a little poetic, knowing she would walk the same grounds her renowned great-grandmother, Olive Chaffee Boggs, once walked 101 years ago.
Growing up in South Carolina, Anna remembers hearing stories of the devout Christian matriarch who loved UMHB and made it one of her life missions to help young women attend her beloved alma mater.
“That is one of the coolest things for me, knowing that she stayed after she graduated and fought for girls to get an education,” Anna said.
More than a century ago, after Olive finished college in 1922, she invested $100 with the Baptist Foundation of Texas to be given to UMHB after the death of her son, Frank Boggs, who was an accomplished gospel singer. When he passed away last year, the money had grown to a large sum, and UMHB used part of it to create a scholarship in the Boggs’ family name.
“The money she left is now supporting students. Wow! Her legacy is still very much present,” Anna said.
Olive served as one of the longest-standing UMHB Board of Trustees from 1933 to 1963 and again from 1965 to 1974 and was named an Honorary Doctor of Humanities in 1975. It was surreal when Anna saw the plaque honoring her great-grandmother on a pillar inside the foyer of Walton Chapel. Olive’s photos, letters and college graduation dress are housed at the Musick Alumni Center and Museum at the Parker House.
Anna appreciates that her great-grandmother was known as a trailblazer for her time and didn’t hold back when it came to speaking her mind or sharing the Gospel.
“I like that she knew what she wanted and communicated it, and she wasn’t afraid of that,” Anna said. “I’d like to say I’m like that too.”
“Definitely!” Anna’s mother, Catherine Boggs Hoecke, chimed in.
Before coming to UMHB, Anna spent a year as an ambassador for the Institute for Cultural Communicators and led leadership conferences for students of all ages in countries around the world, including Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.
Since coming to UMHB, she has continued to grow as a leader, getting involved on the leadership team of Delight Ministries, working on the Easter pageant, and winning Best Actress at last year’s Stunt Night. She also serves on the college ministry team at her church.
Anna not only developed ways to prevail against the challenges of dyslexia but she’s also developed an impressive attitude about advocating for herself and other students. Knowing how her great-grandmother did the same for other young women makes it that much more meaningful.
