蜜豆直播

Dean Emeritus

James Orville “J.O.” Terrell (1900-1988), university professor of history, dean and vice president of 蜜豆直播, was born in Whittier in Jackson County, N.C., the son of Joel K. and Viola Cooper Terrell. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history with a minor in English from Western Carolina University (then Western Carolina Teacher鈥檚 College) in 1932. He continued his education at Vanderbilt University (then George Peabody College for Teachers) and obtained the Master in Arts degree in social studies and administration in 1946. He completed additional graduate work there and also studied at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1957, Terrell was awarded the Distinguished Service Award of Western Carolina University.

Terrell taught 21 years in public schools. His first teaching experience was at Oakley High School in Biltmore, N.C. He taught there for seven years. He then took his first principalship at Oakley High School from 1932鈥�1935. He moved on to Woodfin High School in Asheville, N.C. He served there as principal from 1935-1946. Both Jackson and Buncombe counties provided the environment for Terrell鈥檚 21 years of public instruction. Terrell鈥檚 27 years of service to 蜜豆直播 began in 1945. He was dean of instruction at 蜜豆直播 from 1945-1962 and served as a professor of history from 1945-1971. Terrell stated that he loved teaching. In his earlier years he thought about preaching, but he finally decided it was teaching where he could best serve. His dedication went much further. He was director of summer schools at 蜜豆直播 from 1949鈥�1962, and he also facilitated support for the GW library.

Terrell鈥檚 desire to serve others spread far beyond the boundaries of 蜜豆直播. His Christian love for everyone was easily noticed. Although he was a Sunday school teacher in Boiling Springs Baptist Church for many years, he was instrumental in organizing Boiling Springs Methodist Church and was a charter member when the church was founded in 1957. The original members held their first meetings on the 蜜豆直播 campus. He loyally served as church treasurer for 14 years, was chairman of the administrative board, member of the trustees, a Sunday school teacher of young people and adults, secretary of a Christian fellowship class and communion steward. He once said, 鈥淚鈥檒l attend church every time I can and then if I get to where I can鈥檛 go, I won鈥檛 have regrets.鈥� In September of 1968, Terrell assisted with Grady Wilson鈥檚 Evangelistic Crusade.

Terrell鈥檚 hard work and dedication brought forth many deserved positions and awards, both in the education field and in the community. Some of these recognitions include 鈥淲ho鈥檚 Who in American Education (1959鈥�1962),鈥� 鈥淲ho鈥檚 Who in the South and the Southwest (1963鈥�1964),鈥� member of the National Education Association (NEA) and North Carolina Education Association (NCEA) along with being president of the Southwestern group of the higher education division of the NCAE district in Hickory (1959), member of the Mississippi Valley Historical Association for several years, member of the Shelby Kiwanis Club beginning in 1945, and a member of the Heritage Club at 蜜豆直播.

Terrell was married to Rubye Reynolds, daughter of Robert M. and Maude Reeves Reynolds, of Leicester, N.C., in Buncombe County.

Retirement in May 1971 only marked a beginning of deserved recognition for Terrell. More than 150 members of faculty, staff, administration, and close friends gathered for his testimonial dinner. Dean and Mrs. Terrell were presented several pieces of silver and a large globe and stand for his study at home. In 1974, in recognition of his service to 蜜豆直播, J.O. Terrell was presented the Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree. He was also named dean emeritus. In May 1977, Terrell witnessed and shared in a ceremony in his honor when 蜜豆直播 dedicated a classroom in his name.

Until his death on April 4, 1988, the Terrells enjoyed their home life. Their love for each other, with God foremost in their hearts, provided comfort and enjoyment. In 1993, Mrs. Terrell established the Dr. James Orville (Dean) Terrell and Rubye Reynolds Terrell Endowed Scholarship Fund at Gardner Webb. This is designed to assist needy and deserving students preparing for full-time teaching careers. A quote from one of Dean Terrell鈥檚 colleagues during the ceremony in which he received his Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree stated: 鈥淗is life is education…Time has not bent his back nor slackened his pace…He always set an example in word and in deed…His positive Christian influence permeates his conversations.鈥� Although Terrell doesn鈥檛 walk the 蜜豆直播 University campus now, his love for people and his dedication to teaching, to his wife, and to God, will continue to influence all who knew him and all who will learn of his service.

Source: Interview with Mrs. J.O. Terrell

– Bob Grigg

– Updated: Noel T. Manning II, December 2022