Norma Fullen

Norma Jean Fullen is a lifelong resident of Huntington. She attended Douglass High School where she was a majorette and played on the basketball team. She went on to attend West Virginia State University (WVSU) in Institute, WV, earning a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. After graduation, Norma Jean returned to Huntington and took her first professional job as the Executive Director of Barnett Child Care Center.  She modeled patience, empathy, flexibility and devotion to the pre-school children and teachers who were under her leadership. After leaving Barnette Child Care Center, she continued to serve for many years as a member of their Board of Directors. Norma Jean went on to become a teacher for the Cabell County Board of Education and taught at Enslow Jr High School for 20 years. She was a mentor to countless students throughout her career and a strong advocate for education. While at Enslow Jr. High School Norma Jean continued her educational pursuits and received a master’s degree in Business Education from Marshall University.  After retiring from teaching, Norma worked as the Program Director of the J. W. Scott Community Center for several years.

Norma Jean is now a Life Member and Diamond Soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  having pledged over 76 years ago at West Virginia State College in Institute, WV.  She established the undergraduate chapter – Eta Zeta Chapter – on the Marshall University campus in 1972. Eta Zeta was also the first undergraduate black sorority established at Marshall.

Norma Jean was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church until it closed., where she was bookkeeper and financial secretary. She has served as the treasurer for the Douglass High School Foundation and Secretary of the WVSU Alumni Association-Huntington Chapter. Norma Jean enjoys quilting, playing bridge and bid whist and is a regular at the Marie Redd Senior Life Enrichment Center

The Polley-Fullen family has endowed a scholarship at WVSU that will provide financial assistance to students at WVSU into perpetuity