Biographical Text
Professor Emeritus of History Donald B. Saunders (March 16, 1941-) was born in Montclair, New Jersey. After he graduated from Montclair High School, he earned a B.A. degree in history, with honors, from Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina. Saunders then attended Phillipps-Universitat in Marburg, Germany, in the summer of 1965. In 1974, he was awarded a Ph.D. degree in modern European history from the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill. Saunders was a part-time instructor at the University of Maryland, Overseas Division, in the 1969-70 academic year. In September of 1971, Saunders came to Appalachian State University, as an instructor in history. An assistant professor from 1974 to 1984, and tenured in 1976, he was then promoted to associate professor. He became a full professor in 1991. Among the courses taught by Saunders were Western and World Civilization, including Freshman Honors in World Civilization; Nineteenth-Century Europe; Twentieth-Century Europe; Germany in Europe, 1848-1918; Europe, 1648-1815; The German Problem in 20th Century Europe (graduate); World War I (graduate and senior seminar); "Blood and Belonging": European Nationalism in the 19th and 20th Centuries; "European Diplomatic History Since Napoleon (special topics and senior seminar); and European Perspectives on the American Revolution (three times with Appalachian State's Newport Summer Program, Salve Regina University, and once as a history honors course). Dr. Saunders served Appalachian State in a number of other capacities. He was the coordinator of the University Honors Programs from 1987 to 1999; an associate member of the Graduate Faculty from 1978 until 2003; member of the University Honors Council, 1976-77, 1978-84, 1986-1999; member of the University Scholarship Committee, 1987-2001; member of the Faculty Senate, 1991-94; Freshman Orientation Phase II advisor, 1984-89, 1990-2002; faculty advisor, Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, 1975-1996, 1998-2003; faculty advisor, Honors Club and successor organizations, 1987-1999; and faculty advisor, Gamma Beta Phi, 1997-2001. Within his department, Saunders acted as honors director in the 1976-77, 1978-84, and 1986-87 years. He also served on the following committees: Graduate Committee (1989-91); Departmental Personnel Committee (1978-90, 1982-1984, 1997-2003); and Curriculum Committee (1986-1990), and he was the editor of the departmental newsletter in the 2000-2001 academic year. Dr. Saunders is the author of For His Cause A Little House: A Hundred Year History of Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church (Appalachian Consortium Press, 1989). Following his retirement in 2003, Dr. Saunders was granted emeritus status by the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees that same year. Sources: Appalachian State University files. -Patti Levine-Brown
Comments