Biographical Text
Associate Professor Emerita of Music Elizabeth Fox (January 12, 1924 - ), retired college professor, was born in Russellville, Arkansas, the daughter of Ilah Pless and Ernest C. Fox. Fox attended Russellville High School and graduated in 1942. Miss Fox has one sibling, John E. Fox, who resides in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Fox attended Arkansas Polytechnic College (now Arkansas Tech University) from 1942-43 and received her B.M. in music degree from North Texas State University in 1945. After graduating Fox taught general music and private piano (first grade through high school) at the public schools in Hartford, Arkansas for a year. Fox was also a choir director at the Hartford Methodist Church. In 1946 Fox went to Arkansas Polytechnic College where she was hired to fill in a leave of absence position opening for one year. While there, Fox taught piano, theory, music appreciation and music methods. Fox then became a member of the faculty at the Demonstration School at Arkansas State where she taught music (kindergarten-high school). She also taught music methods courses for elementary education majors and music majors in the college. While working at Arkansas State, Fox did some graduate study at the University of Indiana (1948) and George Peabody College (1949) during the summers. In 1950 Fox went back to North Texas State where she worked on her M.M.Ed, degree and taught secondary piano. While at North Texas State, she organized and conducted the Denton children's choir. Fox graduated in 1951 and took a position as supervisor of elementary music for Ector County Public Schools, Odessa, Texas until 1957. Fox played the cello in the Odessa-Midland Symphony Orchestra and served as church organist at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Odessa, Texas. Fox came to Appalachian State Teachers College (now Appalachian State University) in 1957 as an assistant professor in the Department of Music. Fox taught a wide variety of undergraduate courses as well as many upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses. While at Appalachian Fox spent time to broaden her knowledge of music through graduate work at the University of Denver (summer, 1951), Arkansas State University (summer, 1961), and the University of Delaware (summer, 1967). Fox devoted much of her time to the University by serving on the following committees: Music Honors Committee, Music Curriculum Committee, Music Library Committee, Academic Policies and Procedures Committee, Ad Hoc Committee on Student Relations, Publications Committee, Artist and Lecture Committee, University Campuswide and Public Programs Committee, May Day Festival Committee, Graduate Thesis Committee, Departmental Personnel Committee and Music Graduate Committee. Fox was the freshman advisor for all but one year of her tenure, an advisor in the General College and financial advisor to Sigma Alpha Iota. She was also the sponsor for the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) student chapter and the advisor to a Folk Dance Club. Professionally, Fox has been a member of the North Carolina Music Educators Association, MENC (state advisor for student chapter), Sigma Alpha Iota, Pi Kappa Lambda, Alpha Chi, Kappa Delta Pi, and Watauga Music Teachers Association. Fox also served as advisor to the Rhododendron staff for six years and served as organist to the First Presbyterian Church. Fox served as music consultant in Buncombe County, Sparta and also in Gastonia. North Carolina. Additionally, Fox conducted service workshops in Johnson City, Tennessee and Marion. North Carolina and taught two elementary school classes for one year in addition to regular college classes. Fox was promoted to associate professor in 1975 and retired in 1979. She was chief faculty marshal for the 1979 commencement and was honored with emerita status by the Board of Trustees in 1982. In her retirement years Fox has been very active. She spent one year (1979-80) in Russellville, Arkansas taking care of her mother. She now resides in Boone but spends her winters in Arizona and Arkansas. She works as a volunteer at Watauga County Hospital, and she is active in the RSVP program, Greater Boone Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, the Boone United Methodist Church, and as an accompanist to the Presbyterian-Methodist children's choir. She is enjoying reading mysteries, walking, and enjoying life to its fullest Sources: Appalachian State University files, long association, and personal interviews. - Dr. Richard D. Howe and Miss J. Beth Carlton
Comments