Biographical Text
Associate Professor Emerita of the Library Earlene Campbell (December 20, 1941-), was born in Butler, Tennessee, the daughter of Edith Reece and Earl R. Campbell, Jr. She attended undergraduate classes with her father at East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, and he was her first elementary school principal in Carter County, Tennessee. Campbell graduated as valedictorian from Unaka High School, Carter County, Tennessee, in 1959. She graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1962, earning a B.S. degree in secondary education, and then returned to Unaka High School to teach business and English classes for seven years. In 1969, Campbell began taking library courses at East Tennessee State University to renew her teaching certificate. When offered a graduate assistantship to complete her master's degree, Campbell accepted and took a leave of absence from teaching. She then began pursuing her master's degree in library science and she also worked as a graduate assistant in the library at East Tennessee State University. After receiving her master's in library science in 1970, Campbell began her career at Appalachian State University as an instructor and assistant circulation librarian in the Carol Grotnes Belk Library. In 1971, Campbell was promoted to the head of the circulation department, a position she held until 1995, when she became a reference and instruction librarian. Campbell was promoted to assistant professor in 1981; she received tenure in 1981 and was promoted to associate professor in 1986. In 1980, Campbell received her Ed.S. degree in counselor education and student development at Appalachian State University and began teaching a life- and career-planning course. While at the library at Appalachian State University, Campbell assisted in automating the library catalog, thus ending the era of the card catalog. She was a member of several professional organizations: the North Carolina Association of Educators, the North Carolina Library Association, the Southeastern Library Association, and the Western North Carolina Library Network. During her career at the university, Campbell dedicated time and services to the following committees: faculty grievance, departmental personnel, institutional studies and planning, admissions, student judicial board, Phi Delta Kappa, and administrative evaluation for the dean and associate dean of fine and applied arts. Campbell served as the faculty advisor for the Alpha Chi International Honor Society. She was vice chairperson of the equal opportunity task force and Title IX coordinator in the office of equal opportunity programs. Campbell served as the university corporate representative of the American Association of University Women and as president of the Organization on the Status of Women. Campbell developed departmental personnel guidelines that became a model for university departments. She also conducted a pilot study to test staff evaluations that are still used at the university. In 1972, Campbell received the Trustees' Award for Outstanding Teacher. Campbell retired from her position at Appalachian State University in 2000, after thirty years of service to the university, and was awarded emerita status by the Board of Trustees. Campbell now enjoys participating in mission trips, having traveled to Poland, Macedonia, South Africa, Moldova, and Malaysia. She has traveled in the continents of North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Since retirement, she has completed her goal of traveling to all fifty states and has participated in mission trips and disaster relief in various states. She also enjoyed participating in the Appalachian State University Institute for Senior Scholars. Campbell was active in the First Baptist Church of Boone, where her participation on committees included finance, personnel, worship, missions, long-range planning, library, and pastor search. She served as Sunday School director and was on the board of deacons. Campbell also was active in the Three Forks Baptist Association. In the community, Campbell served as secretary of the Rotary Club of Boone, and as a member of the Friends of the Watauga Public Library, of the Richard T. Barker Friends of the University Library, and of the Southern Appalachian Historical Association. Finally, she volunteered at the outdoor drama Horn in the West. In December 2004, Campbell moved to Southport, North Carolina, and is enjoying the beach scene. She is active in Trinity United Methodist Church, where she serves as an usher and greeter, participates on the Missions Committee and the church newsletter team, and is active in a women's mission circle. Campbell is also active in the Southport Rotary Club, and she volunteers at Dosher Memorial Hospital. Finally, Campbell participates as a member of the Brunswick County Retired School Personnel. Sources: Appalachian State University files, personal correspondence, and long association. -Dr. Richard D. Howe
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