Biographical Text
Assistant Professor Emerita of History Eloise Camp Melton (June 13, 1914- ), was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, the daughter of Gertrude Bateman and Jesse Gray Camp. Melton attended Ahoskie High School in Ahoskie, North Carolina, and graduated in 1931. She was married to Jack Robert Melton (deceased, February 3, 1983), professor emeritus of education at Appalachian State University. Melton has two children: one son, Robert Woods (May 25, 1951-), and one daughter, Mary Gray Melton Leonard (March 16, 1954-). Mary Gray married Ralph Howard Leonard, Jr. (September 6, 1953-), and they have two children: Brooks Howard (February 23, 1981- ) and Laura Kathryn (July 17, 1984-). Melton earned her A.B. degree in history at East Carolina University in 1935. She then took a teaching position at Maury High School in Green County, North Carolina, where she taught English and history from 1935 to l938. In 1938, Melton moved to Sanford, North Carolina, where she was a teacher and librarian at Sanford High School until 1941. During the summer months of 1938-39, Melton studied library science at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Melton moved to Kannapolis, North Carolina, in 1941, where she served as librarian and supervisor of libraries for the city system. Melton then attended George Peabody College for Teachers (now affiliated with Vanderbilt University) in Nashville, Tennessee, during the summer months from 1941 to 1943. She received her M.A. degree in library science from George Peabody College in 1943. In 1947, Melton took a position as state school library advisor with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she served for three years (1947-50). Melton was first associated with Appalachian State Teachers' College (now Appalachian State University) in 1944 as an instructor in the Department of Library Science during the summer session. From 1950 to 1956, Melton served as a part-time faculty member in the Department of Library Science and Social Studies. In 1956, Melton became a full-time faculty member at Appalachian State University and served in both the departments of history and library science at the rank of instructor. During the following academic year, Melton accepted a position as a full-time instructor in the Department of History. She was promoted to the rank of assistant professor in 1963. During her tenure at Appalachian State, Melton taught freshman history and served on the Student Teaching and Placement Committee, the School Council, the Readmission and Academic Discipline Committees, and the Long-Range Planning Committee. Professionally, Melton served as president of the North Carolina Library Association (1945-47), chair of the school library section of the Southeastern Library Association (1947), and chair of the school library section of the North Carolina Education Association for two different terms. In the community, Melton served on the Board of Trustees of the Boone United Methodist Church, was chair of the Commission of Missions, and was secretary of Missionary Education for the Women's Society of Christian Service, North Wilkesboro District. Melton also has been a member of the Boone Business and Professional Women's Club. Melton retired from her position at Appalachian State University in 1974 and was granted emerita status by the Board of Trustees the same year. She served as faculty marshal for the 1974 commencement at Appalachian. In her retirement, Melton acted as church historian and chair of the membership committee at the Boone United Methodist Church. She has traveled and enjoys attending to the needs of her family and visiting with her grandchildren. In July 1993, Melton moved to Twin Lakes Community, the Lutheran Retirement Center in Burlington, North Carolina. She stays active volunteering, playing bridge, and reading. Sources: Appalachian State University files and, personal correspondence. -Dr. Richard D. Howe
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