Distinguished Alumni
Norma Dell Monzingo Jones
Awarded 1992
Norma Dell Jones is perhaps the best known former Bearkat from Sam Houston. Every dues-paying member, as well as thousands of other undergraduates and alumni know her; most have her autograph! Norma Dell is a unique individual who has served others unselfishly and willingly.
Norma Dell grew up in Lovelady and was graduated from Lovelady High School with honors; she was her class' valedictorian. Deemed "Most Likely to Succeed" by her classmates, she went on to Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she earned an Associate of Arts Degree in 1954, majoring in Radio and Television and minoring in Vocal Music. She returned to Texas and became a Bearkat at SHSTC, earning a Bachelor of Education with certificates in Professional Teaching and Special Education as well as Supervisor's and Administrator's certificates.
Norma Dell was a professional educator for eighteen years in the Crockett ISD (she began her teaching in the Porter Springs Common School District which was later annexed to Crockett ISD). She taught history and also coached girls' Basketball and Volleyball for 18 years and was Choir Director for 10 years. Norma Dell became a member of the Sam Houston Board of Directors in 1970 and served on it until 1977 when the Board, under the presidency of Herman Hitt, offered her the position of Executive Director of Sam Houston's Alumni Association. She held that position for fifteen years; in 1992, she accepted the position of Curriculum Director for Lovelady ISD. She and her husband Jerry now live in her hometown, close to her family: Louis "Binky" and Debbie Monk and their sons Kyle and Brandon; Bruce and Lawanna Monk and their daughters Mandy and Cayla; and Nicole Jones, who is currently a freshman at Tyler College. Norma Dell's mother, Eslie Barron Monzingo, also a Sam Houston graduate, lives around the co rner. (Norma Dell's father, L. H. Monzingo, also went to Sarn Houston until he received a baseball scholarship and attended Austin College.)
Norma Dell has held memberships in many regional, state, and national organizations; some are Houston County Unit Texas State Teachers Association, National Education Association, Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association, Texas Council for the Social Studies, Delta Kappa Gamma, Texas Society of Association Executives, College Alumni Directors of Texas (of which she was former President and a Life Member), and is a life member of the Texas State Teachers Association. In her communities she has served on the Walker County Fair Association, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Daughter of the American Revolution, and a host of other activities which benefited her fellow man and woman.
The phrase "Back Home Again" certainly applies to Norma Dell's return to Lovelady, but she will be the first to tell anyone that home is also Sam Houston State. Using Will Rogers' famous saying as a guide, it is safe to say that Norma Dell "never met a person she didn't know!"