Biographical Text
Associate Professor Emerita of Home Economics Madge Mozelle Rhyne (January 3, 1910 -), retired college professor, was born in Gastonia, North Carolina, the daughter of Grant and Mary Jane Rhyne. Rhyne attended Gastonia Elementary Schools and Gastonia High School from which she was graduated in 1927. Miss Rhyne received her B.S. degree in home economics from the North Carolina College for Women (now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro) in 1931. Rhyne worked on her M.S. degree in home economics education there during the summer months (1939-42). She also later acquired 15 additional hours of graduate work in library science at Appalachian State Teachers College (now Appalachian State University). She spent one summer (1959) studying at Ohio State University. Rhyne spent the first ten years of her professional career teaching home economics at the high school level in North Carolina. In 1931 Rhyne accepted a position at the Country Life Academy in Star. North Carolina as a teacher of home economics for three years. She then moved to Dallas, North Carolina in 1934 where she taught home economics at Dallas High School until 1937. From 1937-42 Rhyne then taught home economics at the Oxford Orphanage High School in Oxford, North Carolina. After receiving her M.S. degree in 1942 Miss Rhyne accepted a position in the home economics department at Brevard Junior College in Brevard, North Carolina. She served there until 1945 when she took a position as a TVA home demonstrator with the North Carolina Extension Service in Marshall, North Carolina until 1947. Rhyne came to Appalachian State Teachers College in 1947 as an assistant professor in the Department of Home Economics. While at Appalachian State, Rhyne helped develop and supervise the home economics student teacher program. She also served as a student teacher supervisor of home economics teachers. Miss Rhyne worked with the child development program and the nursery school program at ASU. In addition, she was the acting chairman of the Home Economics Department for one year, 1960-61. Her publications include: "Improvised Teaching Facilities," in Practical Home Economics, March 1933. "Methods Of Teaching Family Life," in North Carolina Education, November 1953. "Book Reviews," in North Carolina Parent-Teacher, March 1953. Professionally, Rhyne held membership in the American Home Economics Association, the National Education Association, the North Carolina Association of Educators, the Association of Teacher Educators, and the American Vocational Association. Rhyne is a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Boone where she has taught Sunday school and has been active in the church women offices. She also served as a sponsor of the Lutheran Student Association. Rhyne retired from her position at Appalachian State University in 1973 at the rank of associate professor after 26 years of service to the institution. Miss Rhyne was honored with the emerita status by the Board of Trustees in 1973. The same year, a scholarship was established to honor her for pioneering the home economics student teacher program at Appalachian State University. The Madge Rhyne Home Economics Student Teacher Scholarship is awarded annually to a student majoring in home economics. The award was set up to help students meet expenses while doing their student teaching. In her retirement Rhyne has been active in the community. She has served with the Watauga County Hospital, with the Red Cross Bloodmobile, and as a RAM volunteer. She is a life member of the Friends of Library organization. She has also continued her membership in the North Carolina Association of Educators and the American Home Economics Association. In addition, she spends a great deal of her time pursuing her hobbies of reading, gardening, crafts, and visiting the sick and the elderly. The American Home Economics Association recognized Rhyne and others who have served fifty years in the association at its annual meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 2, 1987. She was presented a certificate for her work during a special ceremony at Appalachian State University on June 22, 1987. Sources: Appalachian State University files and personal correspondence. - Dr. Richard D. Howe and Miss Mary Elizabeth Gragg
Comments