Biographical Text
Professor Emerita of Art Marianne Steven Suggs (October 3, 1946 - ) earned her Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in art and art education, from Appalachian State University in 1969. In 1971, she received her Master of Arts degree from The Florida State University, Tallahassee, where her areas of study included Art Education, Aesthetics and Art Criticism, and Fibers. Suggs received her doctorate in 1976 from the University of Maryland, College Park, where her areas of study also included Art Education, Aesthetics and Art Criticism, and Fibers. Dr. Suggs began her career at Appalachian State University in 1973. She taught all courses involved in undergraduate and graduate programs in art education, as well as foundation courses for all art major programs, courses in art appreciation, and various art history courses such as women artists and all levels of fibers studio courses. During the years of 1973-1975, Suggs taught half-time in the local public school system in order to establish an art program in the local system. She also served as a consultant and did curriculum work in adjacent counties. From 1984 to 1991, Dr. Suggs served as chair of the Department of Art; she then served as co-chair from 1999 to 2000. Awards and honors received by Dr. Suggs include: National Art Education Association (NAEA) Student Chapter Sponsor Award, 2003; North Carolina Art Education Association (NCAEA) Student Chapter Sponsor Award, 2001; Graduate School Summer Research Grant, 1998; Fulbright Travel To Caribbean Summer, 1997; Fine and Applied Arts Outstanding Faculty Award, 1994; NCAEA Higher Education Division Award, 1988; National Art Education Southeastern Recognition Award, 1984; NCEAs Mary J. Rouse Young Professional Award, 1979; and Trustee's Award for Outstanding Teacher, 1977. During her professional career, Suggs published numerous works, including: • "Guerrilla Tactics for the Art Educator," in Real World Readings for Art Education: Things Your Professors Never Told You (with G.M. Weitz), 1999, Falmer Press. • Art Education: Content and Practice in a Post-modern Era, (with James Hutchens), Reston, Virginia: NAEA, 1996. • "Art Department Efforts to Diversity the Curriculum" (with G.M. Weitz and M. Smith), in Hubbard Center Research, Appalachian State University. Professional organizations in which Dr. Suggs served include: chair, Higher Education Division NCAEA, 1989-1991; chair, Long-Range Planning Committee NCAEA, 1989-1991; North Carolina Women's Caucus Representative NAEA, 1980-1988; past president and executive committee member, NCAEA, 1983-1985; member, Vice President Election and Nomination Selection Committee, NAEA, 1985-1986; president, NCAEA, 1981-1983; North Carolina State Assembly delegate, Detroit, Michigan, co-chair, Professional Standards Committee, NAEA, 1983; and, member, Distinguished Service Award Committee, NAEA, 1982-1983. While at Appalachian State University, Suggs had many service responsibilities. Some of those responsibilities were co-director of the Summer Reading Program, 2003-04; Provost's Cabinet for Interdisciplinary Programs Council of the Arts AAEP Council, 2002-2004; Reorganization of the Arts Committee 2000-2002 Post-Tenure Review Committee, 2000-2001; Freshman Summer Reading Committee, 1996-2003; Strategic Long-Range Planning Commission member; and chair, Principles and Purposes Task Force, 1995-1997; vice president, Friends of the Library, 1995-1996; Friends of the Library board, 1992-1995, and many others. In December of 2005, Dr. Suggs was granted emerita status by the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees. Sources: Appalachian State University files and personal correspondence. -Dr. Kay R. Dickson
Comments