Mansfield University Home Page
The Elsie Burke Service Award, established in 1983, recognizes outstanding leadership, loyalty and service to Mansfield University. Barbara Shenk discovered her passion for teaching and learning while a student at Mansfield, where she earned a BS in Home Economics Education in 1966. She went on to earn her Master’s of Education from Pennsylvania State University, and completed additional graduate work at Marywood College and at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
For over 30 years, Shenk taught Family and Consumer Sciences to students at Hempfield High School in Lancaster County. In addition to teaching there, she also served as the department supervisor from 1982 until her retirement in 1998.
Shenk has been very active as a Mansfield alumna. She was a dedicated member of the Alumni Board of Directors from 1998 to 2004, serving in the leadership roles of president and vice president and on numerous committees including the alumni house committee, the alumni weekend committee, the Homecoming committee and chair of the membership committee.
Shenk was instrumental in helping to develop a strategic business plan for the Alumni Board that continues to guide the Alumni Board's efforts. Shenk has assisted MU Admissions by attending regional Admission's receptions, participating in the "Welcome to Mansfield" postcard writing campaign and presenting MU scholarship certificates to high school seniors in the Lancaster area.
She has assisted with many Alumni Weekend and Homecoming events, was the alumni guest speaker for the 2002 Graduation Celebration Brunch and served on a MU vice presidential search committee. Shenk is also an active member in her local community and has served as president and vice president of the Lancaster County Family and Consumer Sciences Association.
She was recognized as one of five Most Outstanding Home Economics Teachers in the United States in 1994 by the American Home Baking Association, presented in appreciation for her excellence as a teacher and role model. She received the Outstanding Educator Award from Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science in 1995, and in 1998 she received the Mansfield University Distinguished Educator Award, in recognition of her outstanding commitment and service to education.
She resides in Lititz, PA with her husband, John.