View larger image — Lynne Waugh, executive director of academic advising in Appalachian’s University College, second from left, holds the plaque she received as part of the 2018 Durham Freshman Advocate Award. Chancellor Sheri Everts, far left, Dr. Harvey Durham, for whom the award is named, third from left, and his wife, Susan Durham, presented Waugh with the award after a breakfast held at the Appalachian House April 19. Photo by Marie Freeman

Lynne Waugh ’89 ’92

Executive director of academic advising
University College

2018 Harvey R. Durham Freshman Advocate Award
Appalachian State University

By Jessica Stump

Posted May 1, 2018 at 5:03 p.m.

“Your work makes a tremendous difference in the lives of our students — during their first year and throughout their entire time here at Appalachian.”

Appalachian Chancellor Sheri Everts on Lynne Waugh’s efforts to improve the freshman experience

BOONE, N.C. — For her contributions to improving the freshman experience on Appalachian State University’s campus, Lynne Waugh ’89 ’92 — executive director of academic advising in Appalachian’s University College — was selected as the 2018 Harvey R. Durham Freshman Advocate Award recipient.

Appalachian Chancellor Sheri Everts, along with Dr. Harvey Durham and his wife, Susan Durham, presented Waugh with a $1,000 award, an inscribed plaque and a medallion during an award ceremony held April 19 at the Appalachian House. Appalachian Food Services catered breakfast for the event.

2018 Harvey R. Durham Freshman Advocate Award nominees

Dr. Thomas Mueller: Mueller received his Ph.D. from the University of Florida in 2009 and joined the Department of Communication at Appalachian that same year. He is associate professor in the department and has published nearly 20 peer-reviewed articles. Mueller teaches a variety of courses ranging from a First Year Seminar course, to introductory courses in communication, to upper-division courses in both face-to-face and online formats. Mueller has also been extremely active in Appalachian’s Residential Learning Communities (RLC) and was one of the co-founders of the Active Living RLC.
Dr. Don Presnell: Presnell received his Doctor of Education in educational leadership from Appalachian in 2012. He began his career at the university in 2005 as transfer coordinator in the Office of Admissions, and in 2008 took on his current position as associate director of academic advising in Appalachian’s University College. Presnell has given presentations on advising and student learning across the nation and has taught courses in English, curriculum and instruction, Spanish and, most recently, a number of topics in the First Year Seminar program.
Lynne Waugh: Waugh received a Bachelor of Science in child development and a Master of Arts in student development from Appalachian in 1989 and 1992, respectively. She began her career at Appalachian as an academic advisor in 2000, served as the associate director of general studies (now University College) academic advising from 2005-07 and became the executive director of University College academic advising in 2007. Waugh works closely with colleagues from across the campus and has given presentations on student advising and student success in several different venues. In 2012, she received the University College Award for Excellence in Student Advising and Mentoring.

When presenting Waugh the award, Everts said, “Your work makes a tremendous difference in the lives of our students — during their first year and throughout their entire time here at Appalachian.”

The Harvey R. Durham Outstanding Freshman Advocate Award honors persons who have demonstrated one or more of the following: extraordinary personal commitment to freshmen; effective exemplary instruction in freshman-level classes; sustained dedication to campus programs that support freshmen; outstanding individual commitment to programs that support freshmen; or outstanding individual commitment to freshman success. All instructional faculty, student development personnel, administrators and staff who have worked at Appalachian for at least three years are eligible.

The award is named in honor of Harvey Durham, who began his career at Appalachian in 1965 as an assistant professor of mathematics and has served in various roles — including vice chancellor for academic affairs and executive vice chancellor — during his 39 years at the university. Durham retired in 2004 after serving as acting chancellor for the 2003-04 academic year.

2018 Harvey R. Durham Freshman Advocate Award nominees

Dr. Thomas Mueller: Mueller received his Ph.D. from the University of Florida in 2009 and joined the Department of Communication at Appalachian that same year. He is associate professor in the department and has published nearly 20 peer-reviewed articles. Mueller teaches a variety of courses ranging from a First Year Seminar course, to introductory courses in communication, to upper-division courses in both face-to-face and online formats. Mueller has also been extremely active in Appalachian’s Residential Learning Communities (RLC) and was one of the co-founders of the Active Living RLC.
Dr. Don Presnell: Presnell received his Doctor of Education in educational leadership from Appalachian in 2012. He began his career at the university in 2005 as transfer coordinator in the Office of Admissions, and in 2008 took on his current position as associate director of academic advising in Appalachian’s University College. Presnell has given presentations on advising and student learning across the nation and has taught courses in English, curriculum and instruction, Spanish and, most recently, a number of topics in the First Year Seminar program.
Lynne Waugh: Waugh received a Bachelor of Science in child development and a Master of Arts in student development from Appalachian in 1989 and 1992, respectively. She began her career at Appalachian as an academic advisor in 2000, served as the associate director of general studies (now University College) academic advising from 2005-07 and became the executive director of University College academic advising in 2007. Waugh works closely with colleagues from across the campus and has given presentations on student advising and student success in several different venues. In 2012, she received the University College Award for Excellence in Student Advising and Mentoring.

Of the three award nominees — Waugh, Dr. Don Presnell and Dr. Thomas Mueller — Dr. Michael Krenn, chair of the Durham Award Committee and professor in Appalachian’s Department of History, said, “Our nominees today have demonstrated extraordinary personal commitment to freshmen, have provided effective classroom instruction to freshman classes, have shown dedication to programs that have supported and served freshmen or have repeatedly exhibited exceptional individual commitment to freshman success.”

Presnell is associate director of advising in Appalachian’s University College, and Mueller is associate professor of advertising in the university’s Department of Communication.

Krenn also commented on Durham’s contributions to the Appalachian campus: “It was my very great honor to be hired during Durham’s watch in 2001, at which time I was informed that he basically ran the university via a bundle of note cards he kept tucked in his shirt pocket! However he did it, Durham was one of the keys to making Appalachian what it is today by constantly reminding us that we are here for the students.”

Other members of the Durham Award Committee include Kristin Hyle, assistant director of general education; Lillian Nave, senior lecturer in Appalachian’s University College; Christine Anderson, assistant director of academic advising in Appalachian’s University College; and Denise Goetz, the 2017 recipient of the Durham Award and academic advisor in the University College Academic Advising and Orientation Center (AAOC). As the newest recipient of the award, Waugh will hold a one-year appointment on the committee.

UNC Board of Governors Names 2018 Awards for Excellence in Teaching Recipients

The University of North Carolina System

April 5, 2018

Dr. Joseph Gonzalez, a 2012 recipient of the Harvey R. Durham Freshman Advocate Award and associate professor in Appalachian’s Department of Cultural, Gender and Global Studies, was recognized by the UNC Board of Governors with a 2018 Excellence in Teaching Award.

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About University College

Formed in 2007, University College consists of the university’s general education program, faculty and student support, and co-curricular programming and support – all designed to support the work of students both inside and outside the classroom. All students at Appalachian begin their education in University College and benefit from its programs until they graduate. Learn more at https://universitycollege.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.