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Joan P. Brock & Macon F. Brock, Jr.'64 |
Randolph-Macon College President Robert R. Lindgren is pleased to announce that both Macon F. Brock, Jr. ’64 and Joan P. Brock will both receive the Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree at the college’s Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the Frank E. Brown Fountain Plaza at R-MC.
“Through their involvement and support with Randolph-Macon and their community, Macon and Joan are excellent role models for our students on how to live life to its fullest by serving others,” said Lindgren. “They have both so richly earned and deserve this recognition.”
Macon F. Brock, Jr. ’64 has served as an exemplary member of the Randolph-Macon College Board of Trustees since 1992 and as chair from 1999–2009. He is also a former member of the College’s Board of Associates and recently received the Distinguished Service Award from the Socity of the Alumni. Brock has received many awards and recognition for his outstanding business and community leadership over the years and in May 2009, was officially named the First Citizen of Virginia Beach from the Virginia Beach Jaycees. In February 2009, the Virginia General Assembly passed a resolution acknowledging Brock’s lifetime contributions to his community and country. Brock graduated from Randolph-Macon College in 1964 with a B.A. in Latin. He went on to Quantico, Virginia for Marine Corps Officer training, served in Vietnam and was a special agent with the United States Naval Intelligence at the Norfolk Naval Station before becoming a successful entrepreneur, co-founding K and K Toys and Dollar Tree, Inc.
Joan P. Brock is a major shareholder of Dollar Tree, Inc. and served for 11 years as assistant secretary/treasurer for the company. Her career began in her father’s variety store, at that time called “K&K 5&10” which eventually became K& K Toys, Inc. She earned a B.A. in secondary education with a minor in mathematics from Longwood College (now Longwood University), and a Master’s degree in Humanities from Old Dominion University. Steadfast in her community work, Brock dedicates her knowledge and skills to organizations and programs that benefit culture, education and community. She is a trustee of the Chrysler Museum, which opened the Joan P. Brock Galleries in 2008 to showcase 19th Century Art; the Access College Foundation, which has helped 13,000 students secure more than $51 million in financial aid since it was founded in 1989; and Virginia Wesleyan College, where she also served as chair of the VWC Board of Trustees. She is the recipient of a Distinguished Alumna Award from Old Dominion University and a Distinguished Alumni Community Service Award from Longwood University.
Macon and Joan Brock are recognized leaders in philanthropy at Randolph-Macon College. They have generously given their time, support and leadership to a number of major projects including the Brock Sports and Recreation Center and the renovation of the Thomas Branch building which includes the Brock Residence Hall. In 2008, the Brocks endowed the Macon and Joan Brock Professorship, which is currently held by Professor Kelly Lambert. They are also members of the R-MC Presidents Society and Heritage Society. Most recently, they made a lead gift towards R-MC’s campaign to help finance a major new capital project.
The Brocks generosity also extends beyond R-MC. At Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia, the Brocks helped transform that campus by creating a pedestrian mall called Brock Commons, which opened in 2004 and spans three city blocks. The couples’ generosity has also benefited Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, Virginia, where they endowed the Joan and Macon Brock Directorship for the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom and the Douglas E. McIntyre Mentor Scholarship.
Macon and Joan Brock live in Virginia Beach, Virginia. They have three grown children and five grandchildren.