OLDEST LIVING ALUMNI
At 87 years of age, Col. Eddie Lee Rhodes is a youngster among Concord’s oldest living alums. Born in McGraws, W.Va., he was raised in Summers and Monroe counties and is a 1950 graduate of Peterstown High School.
Eddie earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from Concord in 1954. He was President of Kappa Sigma Kappa Fraternity and Vice President of the student council.
“I will always have fond memories of Concord and many doors over the years have been opened for me due to my time at the now University.”
Eddie joined the Air Force in August 1954 as an Airman, was commissioned in 1960 and retired in July 1987 as a Colonel with more than 32 years of service. He worked in intelligence operations, aircraft maintenance, missile nuclear safety and contracting
manufacturing in procurement. Following his military career, Col. Rhodes was a contract administrator in Northrop Grumman Corporation’s B-2 Bomber Division. He says he “retired again” in 1997. Eddie married Marion Bingham, a British citizen, in 1957. Their family includes four children, four grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren.
by earning a master’s degree in physical education from West Virginia University. She taught school for 25 years in Kanawha County, West Virginia. Then, she and her husband moved to Florida for his career. Her family includes three children and several grandchildren. Although she completed her studies at Concord decades ago, Mrs. Wiles enjoys being a Concordian to this day and is a proud alumna. Joan is originally from Williamson, W.Va. and currently lives in Gulfport, Miss. While she was a student at Concord, she was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and worked in the physical education department. A Phys. Ed major, Joan enjoyed swimming. She graduated from Concord College on June 2, 1949 and continued her education
"I had a good education."
A favorite item of clothing for her is a sweater from her alma mater. “I wear that Concord College sweater all the time,” she admits.
Mrs. Wiles celebrated her birthday in October, turning a young 92. CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE FALL 2019
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