Plemmons Medallion

Appalachian State University employees Joe Carter, Edith Fuller and Kelly Rhodes and recent alumnus Matthew Dull will receive the universitys W.H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion during convocation Sept. 8, 2005.

Joe Carter is director of University Recreation at Appalachian, a post he has held since 1996. He was Coordinator of Intramural and Club sports from 1994-96.

The University Recreation program is comprised of five units: Intramural Sports, Club Sports, Outdoor Adventure Programs, Aquatics, and Fitness and Informal Recreation, which includes the Quinn Recreation Center and Mount Mitchell Life Fitness Center.

Carter earned a bachelors degree in health, physical education, and communications from the University of North Alabama. He has a masters degree in administration from the University of Mississippi.

Joe has consistently exhibited outstanding leadership through the enhancement of University Recreation at Appalachian, wrote his nominator. He demonstrates his dedication to student development through continuously expanding the program and increasing the opportunities students have for safe, enjoyable recreational activities.

Under Carters leadership, the universitys recreation and intramural programs have grown in quality and participation. The university developed eight acres for playing fields, enhanced three softball fields, improved the recreation fields located off State Farm Road, and developed outdoor challenge, group interaction and team development courses. Outdoor offerings during fall, spring and summer break have also been expanded.

Carter also has overseen construction of a new $25 million, 116,900-square foot recreation center on campus that will contain an indoor walking track, ball courts, 50-meter indoor pool and climbing wall. The new facility is scheduled to open in late 2005 or early 2006.

With more than 450 student workers, University Recreation is the second largest employer of students on campus. Students graduate with real work experience and skills that are highly valued in the workplace. He is keenly aware that students are our first priority and he values their input, a nominator wrote.

Edith Fuller has been director of nursing services with Shook Health Service on campus since 1983, working with a student population that has grown from 9,800 to more than 14,000 students. Under her leadership, Health Service provides nursing care of the highest caliber and teaches students how to participate in their own good health by making thoughtful and careful life choices.

Fuller practices nursing as an art form through her non-judgmental and respectful interactions with her patients and their families, wrote one nominator.

Fuller also was described as someone who enriches the quality of student life and learning. She nurtures and leads a team of nurses who deliver quality nursing care and solicits their ideas, suggestions and concerns regarding the care provided to patients.

Fuller fully participates in the care of her patients and doesnt focus solely on the administrative and managerial role of a Director of Nursing. She has comforted and encouraged sick and injured students, dressed wounds, administered medications and otherwise facilitated their medical care, wrote one coworker. She accomplishes all of these tasks with a consistently pleasant and professional demeanor, always placing the needs of students and staff above her own.

Indeed, Fuller is known to end staff meetings with the statement, Remember, we are here for the students.

Fuller received her nursing diploma from Portsmouth General Hospital School of Nursing. She holds College Health Nurse national certification.

Kelly Rhodes is a reference librarian and assistant professor in the Carol Grotnes Belk Library and Information Commons. Rhodes joined the library staff in 1997.

She earned a bachelor of arts in journalism degree from Clark Atlanta University, a master of science in Information Science from the University of Tennessee, and an Educational Specialist degree in higher education from Appalachian.

As a reference and instruction librarian, Rhodes often provides students their first introduction to the library.

Rhodes helps students navigate the librarys catalog and many databases and she teaches them to evaluate Internet sources. She provides undergraduate and graduate level bibliographic instruction, designs in-house library exercises and handouts, collaborates with faculty on library-based assignments, provides research assistance at the librarys reference and information desk, and serves as a thesis research assistance librarian for the departments of communication, management, psychology, and human development and psychological counseling.

Rhodes initiated and coordinates the librarys Research Advisory Program, which provides opportunities for students or faculty to receive one-on-one assistance from a research librarian. She also is the thesis research assistance librarian for the departments of Art, Communication, Family and Consumer Science, and Theatre and Dance.

Kelly is the perfect example of a faculty member who reaches out to groups of students, her nominator wrote. Kellys rapport with students is universally recognized, and her service as a role model for minority students in invaluable. She has continually demonstrated a strong commitment to the enrichment of student life on campus.

Rhodes is the faculty advisor for the student service organization Ladies of Black and Gold, and the group Dancing for Jesus -- a praise dance group that performs at area churches and campus events.

Rhodes is a long-term member and current chair of the universitys Diversity Scholarship Committee which interviews and recommends students to receive university scholarships. She serves on the universitys Summer Reading Committee, has been a book discussion leader, and has taught in the Freshman Seminar program.

While a student at Appalachian, Matt Dull was an active member of the student body, excelling in several areas of student leadership. In fact, others describe him as a superior student and someone whose leadership skills set him apart from others.

There are many students who make a difference at Appalachian, but there are few who have impacted the university in the last few years like Matthew Dull, a nominator wrote.

A member of the Appalachian Ambassadors for three years, Dull assisted with special activities coordinated through Appalachians Admissions and Alumni Affairs offices and UNCs Office of the President. He coordinated the universitys Chancellor for a Day Program, was an admissions events coordinator and introduced prospective students to Appalachian during campus tours.

Dull revived the Center for Student Involvement and Leaderships Club Council, restructuring the organizations staffing and funding allocations and rebuilding its membership and improving programming.

As a Freshman Seminar Peer Leader, Dull was a co-instructor providing mentoring and leadership to freshmen in and out of classroom. Peer Leaders are selected for their ability to serve as a bridge between the student and instructor, and to model the behavior and attributes needed to succeed in college.

Dull also was a member of the W. H. Plemmons Fellows Program, coordinating membership development, assisting with class service projects and creating the organizations Web site. He also worked on a middle school leadership program that provided a one-day leadership experience for middle school students in Caldwell County.

Dull graduated Cum Laude in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Management.