Supported by nearly 40 years of practiced excellence in academia, Richard Frederick Meckley, PhD, got his start in education in 1954. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education, he served Jacksontown High School in Ohio as a mathematics and science teacher for three years before ascending the ranks to principal, a position he later fulfilled at two other high schools in Ohio. While studying toward his doctorate degree at The Ohio State University, he was a research associate in the administration and facilities unit and program director of the Center for Vocational and Technical Education until his departure in 1969. From there, Dr. Meckley relocated to West Virginia, where he would spend the remainder of his career. Serving the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies, he was an assistant professor and chairman of education administration for six years before transferring to West Virginia University as an associate professor of education administration. Soon thereafter, he earned the rank of full professor of education administration and coordinator of cooperative doctoral programs, ultimately attaining emeritus status in 1993. During this time, he was also an educational consultant for the General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training of Saudi Arabia and executive director of the West Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals.
An expert in education law and finance, Dr. Meckley contributed to six editions of the “Handbook of the West Virginia School of Law” and wrote multiple articles, which were then published in various professional journals. Extending his expertise to an international audience, he was a lecturer at Beijing Union University, Beijing Normal University and Liaoning Normal University in China. He has additionally presented frequently in the field. To remain abreast of developments in the field, he sat on the advisory committee of the West Virginia Board of Education and was appointed a member of the board of directors of the Kanawha Valley chapter of Phi Delta Kappa.
In recognition of his exceptional undertakings, Dr. Meckley has garnered numerous accolades. He was presented with a Special Certificate for Leadership by the city of Charleston, WV, as well as a Plaque for Academic Excellence and Service to the Community by Winfield High School in 1975. The first in his family to attend college, he credits his persistence as a resounding quality which propelled him toward success.
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