Dr. John Meyer, photographer, professor, and philanthropist was born in St. Mary’s, PA, in 1919. During World War II, Dr. Meyer served in the U.S. Army Air Force. Dr. Meyer earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in chemistry in 1949 and 1950, respectively, from Pennsylvania State University, and his Ph.D. degree in 1958, from the College of Environmental Science and Forestry. From 1958 to 1985, Dr. Meyer was Professor of Nuclear and Radiation Chemistry and Director of Analytical and Technical Services at the College. He retired in 1985, as Professor Emeritus. Dr. Meyer died in 1997.
Dean Marion Meyer was born in Auburn, ME, in 1921. She prepared for high school teaching at the Auburn Maine School of Commerce from 1938-1941, and taught school from 1941-1950. Dean Meyer completed her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Maine in 1951. In 1953, she began studies for her master’s degree at Syracuse University’s nationally-recognized Graduate Program in Student Personnel. It was at Syracuse University that Dean Meyer met Dr. Meyer, then a student working on his Ph.D. They were married in August of 1955. That fall, Dean Meyer accepted a position as an instructor in the College of Business Administration/School of Management that began her 29-year career at Syracuse University. She retired in May of 1984, as the Assistant Dean and Director of Undergraduate Students’ Academic Affairs. She is purported to have been the first woman to serve as an academic dean in a college of business in the United States.
Dean Meyer’s association with ROTC at Syracuse University began during her tenure in the School of Management, when she organized and directed the Campus Council of Academic Affairs Administrators, through which she interacted with the Professors of Military Science from each of the ROTC Departments. Dr. Meyer joined Dean Meyer in their mutual interest in, and support of, the campus ROTC programs. In honor of General Edward C. Meyer (no relation to the Meyers). Former Chief of Staff of the Army, Dr. Dean Meyer created the General Edward C. Meyer Leadership Excellence Award, presented each year to the outstanding Army ROTC/MSIV cadet who demonstrates extraordinary officer potential and leadership qualities. The first award was presented in 1989. After Dr. Meyer’s death in 1997, Dean Meyer established a similar award in her husband’s name in the Air Force ROTC Department at Syracuse University.