Biographical Text
Professor Emeritus of Secondary Education James Monroe Cole (April 2, 1922-), was born in Itta Bena, Mississippi, the son of Ruby Knott and Richard M. Cole. Cole attended high school in Itta Bena, Mississippi, and graduated in 1939, having played football (co-captain), basketball, and baseball. He was also on the track team and was a member of the high school band. Cole is a widower living in Hampstead, North Carolina. Cole has seven children: three daughters, Susan H. (February23,1948-), Jennifer H. (December 29, 1953-), and Catherine Ellen (September 12, 1961-), and four sons, Richard M. (January 9, 1946-), James K. (January 9, 1955-), Michael C. (January 4, 1955-), and Thomas Sidney (March 30, 1959-). Susan, a state employee, is married to J.C. Triplett, and the couple has two boys: Larry V. Neill (February 2, 1968-) and William J. Triplett (February 6, 1972-). Jennifer is married to Chris Reed of West Palm Beach, Florida, and they have one daughter, Jessica Anne (November 27, 1983-), and one son, David Alan (May 19, 1985-). Richard is married to the former Sharon Karricoff, and they have two children, Jonathan and Erin. After graduating from high school, Cole attended Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi, until he was inducted into the United States Army in 1940. He spent his first two years in the infantry, serving as a bandsman until 1942. Cole then successfully completed pilot training, qualifying him as a heavy bomber pilot in the Air Corps. He served overseas and was decorated with the Air Medal four times; he also received the Distinguished Flying Cross. Cole served in the Air Force until 1945, when he was honorably discharged at the rank of first lieutenant. Weeks after he left the service, Cole enrolled at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (now a part of the University of Cincinnati) to study public-school music. He received his certificate of completion in 1948 from the conservatory and earned his B.S. degree in music education and English from the University of Cincinnati the same year. While at the conservatory, Cole played with the conservatory orchestra, band, and chorus. Cole also played the French horn professionally with Dr. Frank Simm's band and with the Huntington, West Virginia, Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Cole taught English and music at a union school in Morrow, Ohio, during the 1947-48 academic year. From 1948 to 1957, Cole worked with the Burlington, North Carolina, city schools as band director. During this time he attended the University of Cincinnati in the summer months of 1952 to 1955, earning his M.Ed, degree in administration and supervision in 1955. Cole was selected as a member of the first Ail-American Bandmaster's band in 1955. In 1957, Cole took a position as zone manager with Investors Diversified Services in Burlington, North Carolina, where he trained salesmen until 1960. In 1960, he accepted a position with the Alamance County schools in North Carolina, serving as coordinator of music for Alamance County and band director of Southern High School until 1963. He also served as assistant principal of Southern High School during 1962-63. Cole came to Appalachian State Teachers' College (now Appalachian State University) in 1963 as an assistant professor in the Department of Education and as college supervisor of student teaching. He was promoted to associate professor in 1973 and to professor in 1978. He was appointed to the graduate faculty in 1977. During his tenure at Appalachian State, Cole served as assistant provost (1968-70) in the transition period from a teachers' college to a university. He also served as assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs from 1970 to 1972, as director of the Cannon Music Camp (1968-69), and as a member of the board of directors of the Cannon Music Camp (1970-75). While at the university, Cole dedicated his time and services to the following committees and councils: the Faculty Senate, the Academic Policies and Procedures Committee, the Faculty Grievance Committee, the Departmental Personnel Committee, the University Registration and Calendar Committee (chair), the Senate Budget Committee, the Admissions Committee, the Re-admissions Committee, the University Long Range Planning Committee, the Selection of Dean Committee (secretary), the Scholarship Committee, the Faculty and Staff Welfare Committee, the University Traffic and Safety Committee, and the Committee on Reorganization for University Status. Cole devoted much of his time providing counseling services and workshops in the fields of music and education to elementary schools, high schools, and colleges. He also performed regularly with the Winston-Salem Symphony Orchestra and with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra of Roanoke, Virginia. Cole has been a member of the National Education Association, the North Carolina Education Association, the Student Teaching Association, the North Carolina Music Education Association, the Music Educators National Conference, and the National School Orchestra Association. In the community, Cole has been a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and has served as Exalted Ruler in Burlington Lodge 1633. He has served on the state board of directors for Elks Boys' Camp. He has also served as governor of Boone Moose Lodge 1805. Cole has coached Little League baseball and football and has served as president and director of the Barbershop Chorus. He was a member of the Deerfield Methodist Church, where he served on the administrative committee and directed the choir. Before directing the Deerfield choir, Cole served as choir director at the Boone Methodist Church. While in Burlington and Alamance county, he was church choir director for fifteen years. In "retirement," Cole represented the Fortieth District for a term in the House of Representatives of the North Carolina General Assembly. Even though he was a "freshman representative," Cole was appointed to the following important committees of the house: Appropriations Base Budget, Appropriations Expansion Budget, Appropriations Base Budget on Education, Appropriations Expansion Budget on Education, Higher Education, State Government, State Personnel, and Transportation. Sources: Appalachian State University files and long association. -Dr. Richard D. Howe
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