Biographical Text
Professor Emeritus of Education John Glenn Barden (December 20, 1900 - ) retired college professor and administrator, was born in Goldsboro Township in Goldsboro, North Carolina, the third child of John Calhoun and Minnie Alice Edgerton Barden. Barden attended the Goldsboro Public Schools and graduated with honors from the Goldsboro High School in 1918. Barden was married on September 9, 1930 to Imogene Barrett (September 5, 1904 - in Greene County, North Carolina), in Stantonsburg, North Carolina. Mrs. Barden graduated from Duke University, Durham, North Carolina with an A.B. degree in 1924, and received an M.A. degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, New York, in 1931. She’s a retired teacher. The Bardens are blessed with two sons and five grandchildren. The older son is Reverend Lawrence Edgerton Barden (October 30, 1932 - in Wembo Nyama, Belgium Congo (now Zaire)), who holds an A.B. degree from Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 1953, and a B.D. degree from the Duke Divinity School, 1956. He married Martha Caroline Witherspoon (February 8, 1929 - ), who holds the A.B. degree from Lenoir Rhyne College, 1951, and the M.R.E. degree from the Duke Divinity School in 1956. The couple have three children: Mark Lawrence Barden (October 30, 1957 - in Taylorsville, North Carolina), John Witherspoon Baiden April 23, 959 - in Statesville, North Carolina, and Anna Lynn Barden (January 30, 1963 - in Danville, Virginia. The Barden's younger son is Milton Barrett Barden (July 18, 1936 - in Greenville, North Carolina), who holds the A.B. degree from Pfeiffer College, Misenheimer, North Carolina, 1956, and the M.A. degree from Appalachian State Teachers College now Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, 1962 . He married Martha Rose Hanson (January 5, 1937 - ) of Gadsen, Alabama, who holds the A.B. degree from Birmingham Southern College, Birmingham, Alabama, 1959, and the M.A.T. degree from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, 1960. The couple were married March 12, 1960 in Gasden, Alabama, and have two children: Elizabeth Rose Barden (April 27, 1965 - in Milford Delaware), and Stephen Barrett Barden (March 22, 1974 - in Asheboro, North Carolina). In 1918 John Barden entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he received his A.B. degree in 1922. While there he was a member of the University Glee Club, the track team for two years, the Y.M.C.A. Cabinet, the Tar Heel Board, and the Carolina Playmakers. After graduation he taught mathematics in the Rocky Mount High School, Rocky Mount1 North Carolina, for a year. Barden then entered Teachers College, Columbia University where he earned an A.M. degree in 1924 and Ph.D . degree in 1941. After the completion of the A.M. degree and the beginning of work on the Ph.D. degree, he was an instructor in mathematics in the College of the City of New York (now University of the City of New York). During this time he also engaged in social work at one of the East Side Presbyterian Churches in New York Clty. There he worked with boys clubs and assisted with church music on Sundays. After leaving New York, Barden served as principal of Smith Chapel School, Mount Olive, North Carolina for a year and also taught high school mathematics. At the close of the school year he went to the Headquarters of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was commissioned to go to the Belgian Congo to serve as Director of Education of the Methodist Episcopal Congo Mission. He was not only Director of Education but served in many other activities as well. He served in this capacity for 10 years with the exception of one year on furlough in the United States when he completed his residence requirements for the Ph.D. degree, While in the Belgian Congo, he established a normal school for the education of teachers for the schools or the mission. In a very recent letter from Ukita DJamba a former pupil the following tribute was expressed to Barden: "Most of the old people (the villagers in the villages) do not stop mentioning your name on their lips, even those who did not see you with their own eyes, they know you from the good training or education of youth which their children received from you. Up to the present, you are certainly much appreciated by the old villagers, your name remains an unforgettable sign in all their conversation for the education of the children." In 1936 Barden resigned the position as Director of Education of the mission and returned to the Unitea States. In 1936-37 he taught science in the Snow Hill High School, Snow Hill, North Carolina. In 1937 and 1938 he served as instructor in the Duke University Summer School at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, and as visiting instructor in education at Duke University 1937-39. In the fall of 1939 Barden was appointed as head of the Department of Education and director of the Glee Club at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, and served in that capacity until the fall of 1944. Barden came to Appalachian State Teachers College (now Appalachian State University) in 1944 as a teacher in the Department of Education, and later as head of the Division of Secondary Education. He taught a variety of courses on both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Barden has been listed in Who's Who in Education in three editions: 15th. (1951-52); 17th. (1955-56); and 19th (1959-60). He also received recognition in Leaders in Education (1948); Who's Who in Methodism (1952); and Personalities of the South, Outstanding, Distinguished 1969 . His publications include: "Program of Teachers Training for Mission Schools Among the Batetela," in Bureau of Publications, Teachers College Columbia University, New York, New York, 1941, "Building Buildings for Human Beings," in Outlook, 1928, "The Belgian Congo," in the National Beta Club, 1938. At Appalachian Barden was active on many faculty committees, including: Committee on Registration; Committee on Admissions; chairman and member of Assembly Committee, chairman of State Advisory Committee of Future Teachers of America; sponsor, Edwin A. Alderman Chapter of Future Teachers of America; and, faculty advisor or Alphi Chi, Barden also had a very active professional life as he was president of the Appalachian State Teachers College unit of the North Carolina Education Association (now the North Carolina Association of Educators), National Society for the Study of Education, American Association of University Professors, National Geographic Society, Southern Appalachian Historical Association, Phi velta Kappa and Masons. Dr. Barden also represented Appalachian State Teachers College at a conference on education at Longwood College, Virginia. He also delivered the commencement address to the graduates of tfie class of 1950 at Appalachian State Teachers College, Dr. Barden retired from Appalachian State University in 1967 after 23 years of service. In the Boone community Barden has served as a member of the Kiwanis Club and a member of its Board of Directors. Dr. Barden received the first annual "John Glenn Barden Distinguished Service Award" from the Boone Kiwanis Club. He is a past-president of the Clinton, South Carolina, Kiwanis Club. The Bardens are active members of the Boone United Methodist Church where Barden has served as a member of the Official Board and was chairman for three years, He also served on the Board of Directors of the Appalachian Wesley Foundation . He has also held the position of superintendent of the Boone United Methodist Church School, taught a class for many years, was a member of the church choir, and is currently an honorary member of tne Administrative Board of the Boone United Methodist Church. He is also an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church, The Bardens, in retirement are currently trying to catch up with some of the things they have had to neglect or postpone for many years and at the same time keep up with current responsibilities. They have traveled extensively and shared their experiences with friends and neighbors. Barden took a course in woodworking in Appalachian State University's lndustrial Arts Department during his first year of retirement and made several useful articles for their home. He is also an avid gardener, growing both flowers and vegetables as long as physical strength permitted. He still cares for his roses and shares them with others. For many years he has been a visitor at the local hospital and helps to bring encouragement to those who are sick . He has also served as chairman of the Watauga County Chapter of the American National Red Cross, president of the Watauga County Senior Citizens Club (now the Watauga Golden Age Club, an president of District No. 8 of Senior Citizens of North Carolina--he received a nice plaque of appreciation at the end of his second year of presiding in 1982. In 1985 Dr. John Glenn Barden received the Outstanding Senior Citizen Award from the Boone Chapter of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Sources: Appalachian State University files, long association, and personal interviews. - Dr. Richard D. Howe
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