May, 5 1998

Sherrie Huffman, Staff Writer

In addition to the normal activities of the annual convocation ceremony, three Appalachian State University individuals will be honored with the W.H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion Sept. 15, in recognition of their leadership experiences outside of the classroom.

The award is the W.H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion, and the three people who will receive the medallion are Student Government Association President Fernando Little, Director of Student Judicial Affairs Lee McCaskey, and Professor of Leadership and Educational Studies Dr. James Jackson.

The award was established in 1996 to recognize the energy, time, skills, and commitment of students, faculty,  and staff here at Appalachian.

Recipients must exceed their peers in leadership skills and must enrich the quality of student life and education for ASU students.

Little is currently a member of the Plemmons Fellow Program, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, an Appalachian Ambassador, and an officer for the Appalachian Popular Programming Society. He is also a pianist for the university’s Gospel Choir.

“I was surprised [when awarded the medallion], because two other Plemmons Fellows were nominated, and they are outstanding leaders,” Little said.

“I am honored [to receive the medallion], because the other nominees were just as qualified,” he said.
Little said the greatest achievement as a leader was being elected Student Body President.

Out of all the positions that he’s held on campus, SGA is the most gratifying, Little said.

Little also said that the Plemmons Medallion “represents my strong desire to serve other people. I have a genuine interest and concern for helping others,” Little said.

“Receiving this shows that the work I do on behalf of other people hasn’t been in vain,” he said.

Little will graduate in December of 1998 with  a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

The Plemmons Medallion is one of the many awards that Jackson has received.

Jackson was awarded Teacher of the Year in 1987 and 1993 by SGA, and again in 1992 by the Alumni Association.

He also received the Reich College of Education Outstanding Service Award in 1995 and Reich College Outstanding Teaching Award in 1997.

According to Jackson, when he was told he would be awarded the Medallion, he was “humbled, surprised, and grateful.”

“I wanted to thank those people who had journeyed along with me,” Jackson said.“My role as a teacher is to inspire the desire to inquire. I have developed a belief that, as an administrator, I have one task, and that is to serve others,” Jackson said.

Jackson also said, “Any contribution I have made [to ASU] is in the attitude of support of service.”
Jackson came to Appalachian in 1969 and was an assistant to then Chancellor Herbert Wey.

He has also served as dean of summer sessions and the dean of the college of continuing education.
McCaskey is currently celebrating his 30th anniversary with Appalachian.

According to an Appalachian press release, Director of the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership Dino DiBernardi said of McCaskey, “It is truly fitting that [McCaskey] gets this award, because Dr. Plemmons hired Lee back in 1968.”

“Lee dedicated his whole professional life to his students and their personal and professional development,” said DiBernardi.

“He is, in my mind, most responsible for the design, development, and the resource accumulation of what is now student development at Appalachian,” he said.

McCaskey came to ASU in 1968 and served as director of student activities.
 
From 1970-1975, he served as the director of student development, and then became the director of complementary education.  In that position, he helped develop the Student Judiciary Committee and SGA.
McCaskey was unavailable for comment at press time.

The Plemmons Leadership Medallion will be awarded during Convocation in the fall.

The medallion depicts former ASU President Dr. William H.  Plemmons, and the winners are authorized to wear the medallion at university ceremonies.

The Plemmons Medallion is named in honor of  Plemmons, who served as the second president of ASU from 1955 to 1969.

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