Biographical Text
Dean of Students/Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Development Emerita Barbara Watkins Daye (October 14, 1937-), a first-generation college student, entered Appalachian State Teachers' College (now Appalachian State University) in the fall of 1955. Her goal was to be a secondary school teacher. While an undergraduate, she participated in the usual departmental clubs and organizations. Her favorites were the dance organizations that allowed students to dance in campus productions and programs. She was president of her "dormitory" and served on the governing council. She was a member of the May Court as Maid of Honor. While she was enrolled at Appalachian State, a college of approximately eighteen hundred students, she enjoyed being in the company of faculty and staff who knew her, who were her friends and mentors, and who would spend time with her and other students in informal settings and in their homes. Daye graduated from Appalachian State Teachers's College in 1959 with a bachelor's degree. She remained to complete her master's degree, and then left to become a secondary school teacher, with the desire to return to Appalachian. Daye did return in 1968 and was an academic advisor, a faculty member, and a member of the Student Development staff. Her first appointment in Student Development was associate dean of students. She spent the majority of her time with students, working with them in a variety of ways from curfew violations to deaths in their families. Day also selected and trained resident assistants and did campus programming. While Appalachian State would grow in size, numbers, prestige, and programs, Daye was determined that the Appalachian family concept would continue to be prominent in her work. Students would be important. She would be an advocate to assist them (and their parents) in dealing with issues and concerns, particularly when they were in stressful/crisis situations. While at Appalachian, Daye worked to establish such programs as Family Weekend, the Appalachian Child Development Center, Honors Day, Family Day Memorial Service (a program to celebrate the lives of students who pass away while enrolled as students), Parent Orientation and Parents Association, and the annual Walk for Awareness. All of these programs reach across divisional lines and are supported by faculty, staff, and administrators throughout the campus. Daye was also responsible for being a "first responder" in campus crises and emergencies and for assisting faculty in dealing with student issues. Daye was a member of the following professional organizations: National Association for Women in Education (National Newsletter Editor), North Carolina Association for Women in Education (secretary, membership committee chair, president), National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (Region II Review Editor), and American College Personnel Association. In March 2002, Daye was granted emerita status by the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees. In 2007, she received the Outstanding Center of Influence Honor by the North Carolina National Guard for her work with the Family Readiness Group of the 1451st Transportation Company. Sources: Appalachian State University files. -Dr. Kay R. Dickson
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