Biographical Text
Dean of Women Emerita Maxie Greene Edmisten (May 7, 1909-) was born in Watauga County, North Carolina to Polly Wanen Greene and Andrew Jackson Greene, who was an English teacher at Appalachian State Teachers College (now Appalachian State University) from 1915 to 1939. She has two brothers, Ralph Gorrell Greene (now of Mountain City, Tennessee) and Doughton Lester Greene (now of Boone, North Carolina). Her grandparents were Elizabeth Lawrence and Hiriam Greene, and Sarah Barlow and Martin Warren. Maxie Greene married Claude Charles Edmisten (1906 - 1953), a native Wataugan building contractor. In 1936 they had one son, William L. Edmisten. Mrs. Edmisten has three grandchildren: Mary Elizabeth Coffey of Charlotte, North Carolina; Sandra Trexler of Boone, North Carolina; and William L. Edmisten, Jr., of Atlanta, Georgia. While attending Cove Creek High School from 1923 to 1927, Mrs. Edmisten was active in both the debate club and the French club. She then did her undergraduate work at Appalachian State Teachers College from 1927-1931, earning her B.S. degree in elementary education during the second year that the bachelor of science degree was awarded by the college. The school was very strict then, but nonetheless, Maxie said, "I always enjoyed school. I enjoyed most of my classes, enjoyed studying and even enjoyed taking exams," and knew on a personal basis her professors, including I.G. Greer, A.M. Norton, and Ida Belle Ledbetter. She graduated cum laude and was a member of the Philaration Society. But she found time, anyway, for the normal girls' rebellion against university rules, such as the midnight picnic in her dorm room after the 11 p.m. lights out. "We ate by flashlight and it tasted good because we were sneaking," she has since confessed! Maxie Edmisten taught in Watauga County schools, North Carolina from 1929-1931, then in Cabarrus County schools, North Carolina from 1932-35. After having a baby and staying home to care for it, she returned to teaching in 1939 at Valle Crucis Elementary School in Watauga County. In 1956 she accepted a position as residence counselor at Appalachian State University. Additionally, while teaching during these years Edmisten worked toward her M.A. degree at Appalachian in elementary education, did post-gradutate work in counseling in 1956-57. Maxie Edmisten was named Dean of Women at Appalachian State University in 1957. During her 14 year tenure as dean, she saw and encouraged many, many changes in the university regulations regarding its women. She worked for equality of rules for men and women, and mediated the natural changes toward more liberalization of rules over the years. "I've always accepted as natural the difference in attitudes between youth and age. It's a natural thing and out of it comes change," said Maxie. The university did change under Maxie Edmisten's wise guidance. Having attended the university during a time when girls could go up town only once a week (and only then with chaperone), had to stay seated at meals until all the boys had left the room, were forbidden to stand near automobiles for extended conversations, and having entered the office of dean of women when co-eds could not wear pants except to P.E. class and 9:00 p.m. was their nightly curfew; Edmisten later marshalled in an era where dormitory curfews were nonexistent except for freshmen, and the woman student--needless to say!--wore what she wanted to. But at listening and caring, two facets of a "woman's role" which have never become outdated, Mrs. Edmisten excelled, as her many letters of thanks from former students and students' parents attest. The character of Appalachian was enhanced by Mrs. Edmisten's warm and compassionate presence over the years, and the women students both administrative and personal. Professional affiliations during this time included membership in the Business and Professional Women's Association, the Admissions and Readmissions Committee, the Financial Aid Committee, the Traffic and Campus Management Committee, and the Student Life Committee, as well as membership in Delta Kappa Gamma. When "Dean Eddy", as she was affectionately called, retired in 1971, she was honored with a reception organized by ASU students to acknowledge the contributions she had made to the university and its women. At that time, one of the many newspaper tributes to her exclaimed: "Dean Eddy" has worked hard for her girls--helping them to face the everyday demands of life. Always a willing listener, she is empathetic with her advice, treating her girls like women... She is a concerned person-concerned for her fellow man. And she is a person of great faith, especially regarding young people. Unlike many of her generation, she does not adhere to the doctrine which considers the young hopeless. A diplomat, a politician, a mother, and a friend, she is a natural negotiator. Her ability to understand makes her a willing compromiser, however, she will not compromise her own values. But "Dean Eddy" is leaving... We will miss "Dean Eddy," and we thank her for all that she has done for students at this University. For these many accomplishments, and being one of those rare personalities who give character to a school, "Dean Eddy" Edmisten received emerita status in 1972, after life-long association with the university. Since retirement, her activities have included reading, limited traveling, sewing, Swedish embroidering, and volunteering with the Red Cross. She recently received a plaque for having taught Sunday school for 50 years at Willowdale Church. Sources: Appalachian State University files, long association and personal correspondence. Dr. Richard D. Howe
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