Biographical Text
Associate Professor Emerita of Health, Physical Education and Recreation Rebecca McCotter Tomlinson (July 2, 1925.), college professor, was born in Black Creek, North Carolina in Wilson County. She is the daughter of L. D. Tomlinson, Sr., and Olive Miller Tomlinson. Miss Tomlinson has one brother, L.D. Tomlinson, Jr., who is.graduate of the University of North Carolina and is.retired businessman; and one sister, Janet Miller Tomlinson, who is a graduate of Peace Junior College and of Flora McDonald College and who is a retired elementary school teacher. Miss Tomlinson earned her B.S. degree in physical education and social studies at Appalachian State Teachers College (now Appalachian State University) in 1947. She then worked as the assistant recreational director of the Hickory Recreation Department (1947-48). In 1949 Miss Tomlinson received her M.A. degree from George Peabody College (now part of Vanderbilt University), in Nashville, Tennessee, in physical education. During 1949-50 she worked at Hanes Hosiery Mills of Winston-Salem as recreation assistant. She then served as physical education teacher and women's basketball coach at Bailey High School in Bailey, North Carolina (1950-51). She served at Atlantic Christian College in Wilson, North Carolina, from 1951 until 1956, as assistant professor of health, physical education and recreation, while coaching women's volleyball and basketball, and directing the women's intramural and recreation program there. In 1956 Miss Tomlinson returned to school to earn the Dir. P. E. degree at Indiana University where she served as vice president of the physical education graduate club. She received the Dir. P.E. degree in 1958, and in 1959 she moved to Tampa, Florida to serve as an assistant professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) at the University of Tampa. In September of 1960, she accepted the position of assistant professor of health, physical education and recreation at Appalachian State University. During her first years there, Miss Tomlinson served as departmental coordinator for the recreation major program, organized and directed the first women's recreation and intramural program at Appalachian, and sponsored the Women's Recreation Association at the college. In succeeding years, Miss Tomlinson distinguished herself at the university by a variety of pioneering accomplishments: she sponsored the first Applettes organization; organized and submitted the first budget for the women's intercollegiate program at ASU; was the first women's basketball coach at the university; organized and directed the Women's Invitational Volleyball Sports Day at ASU; and was coordinator and organizer for the first Recreation Majors Club for the physical education department , Miss Tomlinson's publications include: "Soccer Skill Test," DGWS American Association of Health, and P.E., and Recreation Safety, 1964. "Meaningful Movement for the Atypical --An Individualized Approach," Research, 1975. "Poems and Thoughts from the Mountaintop," Research, 1976. Miss Tomlinson was professionally affiliated with: the American Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.editorial board member, 1975, of the Division of Girls' and Women's Sports.the North Carolina Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation president,1974, of the Division of Girl's and Women's Sports); the Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority National Honorary Teachers's Society); and the National Intramural Association. During 1976 she was appointed to the North Carolina Physical Education Director's committee to plan to establish standards for men's and women's officiating high school organizations. Rebecca Tomlinson served on the following committees at Appalachian: the Learning Resources Committee, the HPER Department Curriculum Committee, the HPER Department Library Committee, the HPER Elementary Physical Education Curriculum Committee, and the Eric DeGrout Scholarship Committee. She also served as departmental graduate faculty member, and served on the Faculty Senate. Rebecca Tomlinson retired on June 30, 1981 after 21 years of service to the university. In her retirement, she continues to be an active member of Black Creek Methodist Church, in Black Creek, North Carolina. She is presently active in the American Cancer Society, the North Carolina Retired Teachers Association, the 400 Meter Club at Watauga High School, the Eric DeGrout Scholarship Committee, and in Alpha Delta Kappa. Sources: Appalachian State University files and personal correspondence. - Dr. Richard D. Howe
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