(Lopez Island, WA) — Dr. Barbara Brock, a veteran in educational leadership, recreation management, and community development, is being recognized for a career spanning over 42 years of achievement and dedication. Her impact as an educator, adventurer, and advocate for human connection has left a lasting legacy at Eastern Washington University (EWU) and beyond.
A Celebration of a Long and Glorious Profession
Professor emeritus at EWU, Dr. Brock, spent nearly 30 years guiding and inspiring future leaders in recreation management. Her out-of-the-box thinking and skill at connecting with students of any age and background won high praise in all corners of campus and university life. Her hands-on mentoring and problem-solving skills prepared many students for significant careers and showed them, through her life, about work-life balance.
Her work received many accolades, including a Trustee’s Medal, EWU’s most prestigious faculty honor, and a Washington Park and Recreation Association’s Honor for a Lifetime of Contributions.
A Life of Adventure and Universal Influence
Away from campus, Dr. Brock’s free spirit took her to every state in the U.S. and corners of the planet, including Australia, England, Wales, the Phillippines, Nepal, New Zealand, Switzerland, France, Italy, Sweden, Israel, Mexico, Canada, and Central America. She’s climbed Mt. Hood five times and delivered path-paving and life-changing studies about TV-free families at international conventions. She even shared a stage with journalist Katie Couric during an invited appearance on the Today Show and shared a meal (in a castle, no less!) while co-presenting with Harvard’s Dr. Robert Putnam at a World Leisure Convention in Sweden.
Her global experiences have shaped her life’s mantra: living life to its fullest and searching out meaningful contacts wherever life takes her.
Advocating for Community Well-being
Dr. Brock’s dedication to community service is as inspiring as her professional accomplishments. She is a pianist at Sacred Heart Hospital, rocks babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and has been a tireless advocate for Spokane’s homeless community. Her active and supporting role in Rick Clark’s Giving Backpacks, Jewels Helping Hands, Outreach International, HealthEd Connect, and the Coast Salish Youth Coalition nonprofits exemplifies her commitment to uplifting those in need.
Her latest endeavor, the book Creative Dates: The Why, The How, and The Reason for Now, aims to combat loneliness and promote face-to-face interactions. Brock calls it her love letter to our increasingly socially disconnected and lonely world. The book offers readers creative and budget-friendly ideas to strengthen relationships and build a sense of community.
Living with Purpose and Passion
Dr. Brock resides on 30 picturesque acres with her husband Vern, a veterinarian-turned-woodworker. Their two children, Adam and Sydney, have followed their passions as a musician and a primary care OB family physician, respectively. When she’s not volunteering or writing, Dr. Brock enjoys kayaking, hiking, sailing, biking, and gardening.
Her favorite question, “Are you really living? Or just pumping blood?” reflects her belief in living a life filled with purpose, joy, and connection.
Media Contact
Name: Barbara J Brock
Email: bbrock@ewu.edu
Phone: (509) 263-7593