Biographical Text
Assistant Professor Emeritus of Librarianship Zebulon Vance Shook (December 1, 1920 -), retired college professor and administrator, was born in Matney, North Carolina, the son of Ruth Michael and Hoyle Hayes Shook. Shook attended Cranberry High School and graduated in 1939. He married Mary Stevenson Shook on March 16,1945. The S hooks have two daughters, Tanya Lee Shook (September 12,1952 -) who married Samuel William Wilder on August 5,1979, and Myra Shook (December 13,1958 -). After graduation from high school Shook worked as assistant manager at the college bookstore at Lees-McRae Junior College in Banner Elk, North Carolina until November 13, 1942 whereupon he entered the U.S. Army. He received his basic training at Ft. Benning, Georgia and was assigned to the 10th armored division. Shook had extensive command training and was made a Sniper, and at this time volunteered for overseas duty. After additional training in North Africa he was assigned to the 1st armored division headquarters battery, 27th field artillery, serving as a forward observer. Shook took part in the Consino campaign, the invasion of Anzio, and the battle for Rome. He left his company in Pisa due to illness, returned to officers candidate school in Fort Knox, Kentucky, and then was discharged on November 20,1945. Shook returned to Lees-McRae Junior College in 1946 as manager of the college bookstore until 1949, when he began work on his B.S. degree in library science at Appalachian State Teachers College (now Appalachian State University). He received that degree in 1953 and began work on his M.A. degree in library science, also at Appalachian. While working on the M.A. Shook had an assistantship in the library at Appalachian High School and the audio-visual department at the college. Shook received his M.A. in 1954 and became a full-time faculty member in the department of library science at Appalachian. Shook obtained the rank of assistant professor in 1955 and became head acquisitions librarian in 1956. During his tenure at Appalachian, Shook wrote the American Indian Bibliography and the Black American Culture Bibliography. He also engaged in research on local nineteenth-century political figures in Watauga County. As head acquisitions librarian, Shook helped the library grow from 100,000 volumes to over 400,000 volumes before his retirement. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Technical Services Division of the Library. He worked closely with Dr. Cratis Williams in establishing the foundation for the present Appalachian Collection. Shook served on the university's Learning Resources Administrative Committee and Learning Resources Personnel Council. Professionally, Shook was associated with Phi Delta Kappa, the North Carolina Library Association, the Southeastern Library Association, the Western North Carolina Library Association, and the American Association of University Professors. In the community Shook served as president of the Watauga County Wildlife Club and was a member of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, the American Legion, the First Armored Division Association, the Ruffled Grouse Association, and the Anzio Beachhead Association. He has served as both deacon and elder at the Boone First Presbyterian Church. He was instrumental in the forming of the Watauga County rescue squad in 1963. Shook retired from his position at Appalachian State University in 1979 and was granted emeritus status by the Board of Trustees in 1980. An avid gardener, hunter, fisherman and sports buff, Shook is enjoying his retirement in Boone. He participates in Retired Citizens Volunteer Programs such as Meals on Wheels. Mrs. Shook retired in 1983 after 36 years of service to Appalachian-and the Mary Stevenson Shook Student Health Center was named in her honor in May, 1983. Together, they enjoy visiting with their children. Sources: Appalachian State University files and personal correspondence. - Dr. Richard D. Howe
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