Biographical Text
Professor Emeritus of Curriculum and Instruction James R. Roberts (December, 1928-) was born in Greenville, North Carolina, and married Nina Abernethy of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Nina was a graduate of East Carolina University (1950). The couple has two children: Genele Roberts Byrd, who received her B.S. degree in biology from Appalachian State University, and, who, after twenty years as an aerospace engineer, has moved back to Boone, North Carolina, with her family to start a construction business, and William Riley, who received his A.A. degree from Caldwell Community College and is owner/operator of a local landscaping business. Roberts received his B.S. degree from East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina (1950). After a stint in the United States Navy, Roberts was discharged in 1954 and went on to earn his M.M.E. degree at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, (1955). Roberts continued his education beyond his M.M.E. with forty-eight hours of graduate study in the areas of music, education, psychology, and guidance at Indiana University, Bloomington, (1958-1963) and Nova University, Davie, Florida. Professor Roberts taught public school at Fisher community schools in Fisher, Illinois. In 1957, his family moved to Rocky Mount, North Carolina, where Roberts was director in instrumental music for the Rocky Mount city school system. In 1958, the Robertses made their home in Indiana, where Roberts was chair of the Department of Music, Division of University Schools, at Indiana University. He joined Appalachian State University in 1967 as a faculty member in the College of Education, Department of Secondary Education and Division of Field Experiences. During his tenure at Appalachian State, Roberts was on numerous committees. In addition to being chair of the Faculty Senate and vice chair of faculty, he was a member of the search committee for vice chancellor of academic affairs, the Chancellor's Advisory Committee, and of the Athletics Council; he was, as well, an ex officio member of the Senate Standing Committees. Roberts also served on the University of North Carolina Faculty Assembly, advised the Board of Governors on suggested changes in "the code" of The University of North Carolina System, and was on the Governor's Committee for the State Testing Commission. Roberts' professional responsibilities were numerous as well, with some of those being to supervise interns and student teachers in Caldwell County and elsewhere as needed, to assist public school personnel in matters involving Appalachian State University, to assist student teachers in securing initial employment as teachers, to recruit graduate and undergraduate students for Appalachian State University, and to encourage participation in extension offerings in the area. For nine years Roberts supervised "out-of-area" student teachers from Wake County to the coast. Additionally, while serving Appalachian State University, Roberts was a consultant for the Southern Association's self-evaluation at Philo and Griffith junior and senior high schools in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He was active in Phi Delta Kappa, North Carolina Association of Educators, and Phi Mu Alpha. Roberts remained with Appalachian State University until his retirement in June 1991, at which time he was awarded emeritus status. His retirement is anything but quiet. His son and daughter-in-law live nearby with granddaughters Kendra and Kali. "Grundy" as he is affectionately called, regularly attends school functions and basketball games for both girls. Roberts' daughter and son-in-law also live in Boone; their daughter, Lisa, is a senior at Watauga High School and their son, James Robert, is finishing his master's degree at the University of North Texas. Professor Roberts plays trombone in the Boone Community Band, a group in which his daughter and granddaughter are also musicians. He volunteers for the Blowing Rock summer music group, enjoys attending Elderhostels, and loves his wife, Jacqui, his five grandchildren, and his dog, Henry Jones Roberts. Sources: Appalachian State University files. -Patti Levine-Brown
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