2003-2004 Recipients
Dr. John Thomas served as Appalachians fourth Chancellor from 1979 to 1993. During his tenure, the university made great strides in improving students residential, instructional and recreational facilities.
Two residence halls were added, increasing the capacity for on-campus housing. The Miles Annas Student Support Services building, which houses the Post Office, Student Health Services and Counseling Center, also opened. Other additions to the campus landscape include the Quinn Recreation Center, Broyhill Music Center, Raley Hall and Trivette Dining Hall. A new campus cable system provided access to the Internet and cable television programming.
Under Thomas leadership, international opportunities for students grew as partnerships with universities in China and Mexico were formalized. The Freshman Seminar and Learning Assistance programs were developed to aid in student success.
Thomas returned to the classroom in 1997 as a Professor in the Department of Management in the Walker College of Business.
Dr. Scott Meister, now in his 30th year at Appalachian, teaches percussion. His interest in international music has changed the tempo of many functions held on campus. As Director of the Steely Pan Steel Band, Meister has introduced campus and community audiences to the versatility of the steel pan, and to an array of international music through his membership in the group Sundays Well and creation of the music schools mid-east and African percussion ensembles. In addition to his teaching duties, Meister has provided leadership as a faculty advisor to various student clubs and organizations. He has been honored by Appalachians Student Government Association as an exemplary teacher. In nominating Meister for the award a nominator wrote, Scott Meister is indeed a part of the Appalachian Family. He has dedicated his career to our students. He has touched the lives of not just a few of our students, but literally thousands over the years.
A 1988 graduate of Appalachians masters degree program in Student Development and Counseling, Judy Haasrose through the ranks of Appalachians Office of Residence Life. She began her career as an Area Coordinator, overseeing the operation of as many as six residence halls. She later was named an Assistant Director in the Housing and Residence Life Office. Haas currently serves as Director of the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and also directs the university's parent orientation program.
Haas' peers describe her as someone who has made significant contributions to the overall growth, development and success of the Student Development Division and University. She frequently speaks throughout campus and the community on sexual assault, rape, depression, eating disorders and other issues confronting the college population. She also has taught leadership classes on campus, led personal and professional development workshops and taught Freshman Seminar. Judy has always been student-centered and student-focused. Judy has had a tremendous impact on the lives and educational experiences of students, staff, and faculty. She is an exceptional teacher and administrator who loves her work and her university.
As an undergraduate, Amy Dixon was an active member of the university community as a student scholar and a leader. She served two years as President of Club Council, the governing council for more than 200 clubs and organizations on campus. She was President of the Society of Human Resources Management on campus, a member of the Deans Council of Student Advisors in the Walker College of Business, Sigma Kappa sorority executive board member, an Assistant Vice President of the Panhellenic Council and a Student Government Association Senator.
Dixon also was an active volunteer in the community, participating in the Adopt A Grandparent Program at Ivy Terrace Assisted Living Center, serving as a peer leader for the Freshman Seminar, and working as a volunteer with the universitys public service clearinghouse called Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT).
She was a member of the Plemmons Leader Fellows Program, a four-year program that helps students develop their leadership skills.
Dixon completed her undergraduate degree requirements this summer.
Brian Merritt has been involved in student activities since his freshman year at Appalachian. As a resident assistant in Eggers Hall, Merritt helped other freshmen adapt to college life.
He developed and directed an informational video for the Department of Housing and Residence Life, helped housing officials assign more than 4,000 students to on-campus housing, planned blood drives on campus and reformed the Campus Resident Student Association executive board to include a board of directors that served as a liaison to other campus clubs and organizations.
He participated in national Campus Resident Student Association (CRSA) conferences, and served as the CRSA president at Appalachian. He also helped organize the South Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls conference held on campus in 2003. More than 800 students from across the Southeast attended the leadership development conference.
Merritt received his undergraduate degree in May, and is now pursuing a masters degree in higher education administration at Appalachian. He works at the McKinney Alumni Center on campus.
