Biographical Text
Professor Emeritus of Social Science and Registrar Emeritus Herman Roland Eggers (October 4, 1898 - ), college professor, Registrar, and Dean of Student Affairs, was born in the Mabel community of Watauga County, North Carolina. His parents were John F. Eggers (May 1,1867-October 28,1932) and Maude Bailiff Eggers (April 19, 1877 - June 14, 1917). Eggers attended East Tennessee State University where he was a member of the Student Army Training Corps, which was an equivalent of the modern ROTC. He received the A.B. degree from Carson- Newman College, Tennessee, in 1922 and the M.A. degree from George Peabody College in 1927. He also attended Columbia University in 1928. The Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters was conferred upon him at the May, 1971, commencement exercises by Appalachian State University. Eggers married the former Miss Elizabeth Pennington (February 5, 1903, in Sweetwater, Tennessee ), in 1927. She attended Carson-Newman College and Dr. and Mrs. Eggers are now both retired and reside in Boone. They remain active in the First Baptist Church where Graydon once served as chairman of the Board of Deacons. After some 45 years of service to Appalachian State University, Graydon is now enjoying a much-deserved retirement. taught in the public schools of Sweetwater for four years. They are the parents of two daughters: Isabel Eggers Zuber, and Elizabeth B. Eggers Hill. Isabel Eggers Zuber (July 28, 1932, in Boone, North Carolina -) graduated from Appalachian State University in 1954 and married Richard Zuber on August 29,1954. She taught in the Durham, North Carolina, public schools and is at present a librarian at Wake Forest University. Their children are: Jonathan Zuber (August 26,1963 -), and Elizabeth Zuber (January 16, 1966 -). Their second daughter, Elizabeth Bonham Hill (June 22,1935, in Boone, North Carolina -) graduated in music from Appalachian State University in 1957 and married Jerry Hill. She also earned her M.A. degree from Appalachian State University and has taught music in North Carolina, Texas, and in Virginia where she is presently employed at Oak Hill Academy. Their children are: Colleen Hill Thompson (January 11, 1959 - ), David Hill (September 20,1960 -), and Julia Hill (April 15, 1962 -). They also have one grandchild, Lance Thompson (December 26, 1979 -). Herman and Elizabeth Eggers have five grandchildren and one great grandchild. Mr. Eggers began his career as a teacher and coach at Cairo High School, Cairo, Georgia; Charlotte Hall Military Academy in Maryland; Hay-Long High School, Mount Pleasant, Tennessee; and was principal in the Parker School District in Greenville, South Carolina. Since 1929 Dr. Eggers served, successively, as a teacher, Registrar, and Dean of Student Affairs at Appalachian State University. Just prior to his retirement, Eggers was part-time adviser in the General College and was editor of the Self-Study Report of Appalachian which was submitted to the National Commission for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. Also, during his last year at Appalachian he published The History of The First Baptist Church of Boone (1970). He has been a member and vice president of the Southern Appalachian Historical Association (Horn in the West), for many years and has served many times as chairman of the board of deacons of the First Baptist Church of Boone. He has also been a member of the board of trustees of Mars Hill College and the board of visitors of the Baptist Orphanage at Thomasville, North Carolina. He retired in 1970 after serving Appalachian State University for 41 years. The students at Appalachian honored Dr. Eggers with the dedication of the college annual in 1953: To a person we all come in contact with, and to one who has taken a personal interest in our problems during our four years on campus, and has gained our undying admiration as a leader, and our highest esteem as a friend, we, the staff do fondly dedicate this volume of the 1953 Rhododendron to our Registrar, Mr. Herman Eggers. In 1971 Eggers Residence Hall was dedicated to Dr. Herman Roland Eggers and his brother, Dr. Graydon Poe Eggers. Eggers Residence Hall, rising nine stories above the campus, and costing more than $1,170,000, is the tallest building at Appalachian State University. It has been said by many students over the years that Herman Eggers could identify and recall the names and records of more students than could any other administrator or faculty member of the institution. In retirement, Dr. and Mrs. Eggers reside in Boone, North Carolina, where he studies birds and wildflowers. He has many beautiful slides reflecting these interests and has often lectured to clubs and organizations. He has been active in community work in the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and the Hunger Coalition. Mrs. Eggers shares her husband's interests in community activities and church work, as well as being an avid reader. Sources: Appalachian State University flies, long association and personal interviews. - Dr. Richard D. Howe
Comments