Biographical Text
Associate Professor Emerita of Home Economics Vivian Wood Welborn (June 20, 1921-), retired college professor, was born in Hazlehurst, Georgia, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Raleigh Wood. Her father was an insurance agent for 55 years with the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, and her mother was a homemaker. Welborn attended Hazlehurst High School and graduated in 1937. Mrs. Welborn is married to John W. Welborn, past manager of food services at Appalachian State University, and the son of Nellie Mae and Greene Welborn of Wilkes County, North Carolina. His father operated a country store and a farm; his mother was a postmaster for 26 years. The couple have six children: four boys--Mack, John (J.W.), Raleigh and David-and two girls-Luci and Rachel. Two of the boys attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Appalachian State University, and the two girls and a boy attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Three of the children have masters degrees-one from Appalachian State University, one from Georgia State University in Atlanta, and one from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. The Welborns have six grandchildren, two boys and four girls. John has three children: Pam, Johnny and Lynnsie. All three are in college at East Carolina University (ECU). John is assistant athletic director at ECU. Raleigh has one daughter, Michele; and Luci has two children, Jacob and Meghan. Vivian Welborn received her B.S. degree in home economics from Georgia State College for Women in 1941. After receiving her degree Welborn took a position as a vocational home economics teacher at Glennville High School in Glennville, Georgia until 1944. She sponsored the Beta Club, supervised the school lunch program, and worked with the Fort Stewart entertainment program on weekends. For two summers she worked as co-director of the Community Canning Plant in Glennville. Welborn entered the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in the summer of 1944 to work on a M.S. in nutrition with a minor in institutional management and textiles. That fall she came to Appalachian State Teachers College (now Appalachian State University) as an instructor in the Department of Home Economics. During this time the college cafeteria was needing some help so she started assisting with menu planning. After finishing her degree in 1948, during the previous summers and one winter quarter, Welborn began working full time as the dietitian at the cafeteria and teaching institutional management courses. In 1963 she returned to full-time teaching. While at Appalachian State Welborn taught courses in nutrition, institutional management and food preparation. She received certification as a Registered Dietitian from the American Dietetic Association in 1958 and was promoted to associate professor in 1961. Her publications include: "School Lunch Manual." by University of Tennessee, 1948. "Choose Your Green as a Nutritionist." (Pamphlet) by the North Carolina Dietetic Association, 1962. She served on local and state committees, served on Governor Dan Moore' s North Carolina Study Commission on Education and served on the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Committee to Write Guidelines for the State School Lunch Program. Welborn also served two terms on Appalachian's Faculty Senate, served on the Library Committee, and served as acting chairperson of the Department of Home Economics during the 1972-73 academic year. She even took time to teach Sunday school classes at the First Baptist Church of Boone to college students and older adults during this period. Welborn held professional membership in the American Dietetic Association, North Carolina Dietetic Association, Society of Nutrition Education and the Winston-Salem Dietetic Association. Welborn also held membership in the local chapter of the Business and Professional Women's Club. She was a charter member of the American Association of University Women and, later, was a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa, an educational sorority. Welborn retired from her position at Appalachian State University in 1974 and was granted emerita status by the Board of Trustees in 1975. Mr. and Mrs. John W. Welborn established the Scholarship Fund for home economics majors upon Mrs. Welborn's retirement. Mrs. Welborn served as adjunct professor in the Department of Home Economics during the 1978 fall semester following her retirement from the University. The Appalachian State University food services building was dedicated to the Welborns in 1981 and is known now as Welborn Hall. Mrs. Welborn has the distinction and honor of having served under all four presidents/chancellors of Appalachian State University. In her retirement Mrs. Welborn enjoys visiting with her children and grandchildren. She serves as a judge of the Boone 1 precinct. Also, she consults on occasion regarding nutrition matters and is "thinking" of writing a book on bacteria count in food. She resides in Boone with her husband, John. Sources: Appalachian State University files, long association, and personal interviews. - Dr. Richard D. Howe and Miss Mary Elizabeth Gragg
Comments