If you were enrolled as a "resident" student at Appalachian at any time between the late 40s and the early 90s, then your life was touched either indirectly, directly or *very* directly by the stern, direct, in-your-face, matter-of-fact Nurse Mary Shook we came to respectfully call just "Shook." She was the head of the campus infirmary and she was seriously, heck-bent determined to keep students, faculty and staff healthy and to care for them (and educate/lecture them) when the need arose. About everyone who knows her and/or remembers her has a funny story about this fine, fine lady. Nurse Shook is now 97 and still goin'...

Read about her and her many notable contributions to Appalachian here... http://appalachianmagazine.org/stories/id/646

Excellent read. My wife worked for Health Services for nearly 5 years during our time at ASU under the former (now retired) director. She was a Biology major but attained her BSN (RN) and MSN degrees following graduation and is currently finishing up her DNP program. Her time with Health Services was a big reason she decided to pursue the Nursing field, and it was largely made possible by Mrs. Shook's dedication. I only wish the Nursing program in its current state was available at the time. Thanks for sharing.

Great read! She ran the infirmary even after Doc Ashby took over!