Participation Type
Panel
Session Title
Thirty-Three Years of the Appalachian Events Committee
Session Abstract or Summary
Radford University in Radford, Virginia, sits on the edge of Appalachia. Being so far away from the heart of the region, the students on its campus often do not know they are a part of Appalachia. As a result, there seemed to be a lack of Appalachian culture on campus, despite the prominent cultural presence surrounding the university in the city of Radford. In 1982, a group of students at Radford University realized this. They came together to form the Appalachian Events Committee. This organization started out with the same set of goals that still ring true in today’s committee: to support and promote Appalachian culture on campus, raise awareness of issues within the region, and dispel myths and stereotypes about the Appalachian people. With thirty-three years of work at the University, we have much history to share about this long-standing student led organization. The story of the Appalachian Events Committee will be told primarily through the testimonials of founding members as well as members throughout the thirty-three years of the organization. The Appalachian Events Committee stresses the idea, “Know Your Roots,” and in doing so, can look to the future for much more to come.
Presentation #1 Title
Thirty-Three years of the Appalachian Events Committee
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Radford University in Radford, Virginia, sits on the edge of Appalachia. Being so far away from the heart of the region, the students on its campus often do not know they are a part of Appalachia. As a result, there seemed to be a lack of Appalachian culture on campus, despite the prominent cultural presence surrounding the university in the city of Radford. In 1982, a group of students at Radford University realized this. They came together to form the Appalachian Events Committee. This organization started out with the same set of goals that still ring true in today’s committee: to support and promote Appalachian culture on campus, raise awareness of issues within the region, and dispel myths and stereotypes about the Appalachian people. With thirty-three years of work at the University, we have much history to share about this long-standing student led organization. The story of the Appalachian Events Committee will be told primarily through the testimonials of founding members as well as members throughout the thirty-three years of the organization. The Appalachian Events Committee stresses the idea, “Know Your Roots,” and in doing so, can look to the future for much more to come.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Sarah Sheppard is a Junior at Radford University majoring in Tourism with a minor in Appalachian Studies. Sarah is the chair of the Appalachian Events Committee.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Lindsay Thompson is a Freshman at Radford University majoring in Political Science with a minor in Appalachian Studies. Lindsay is the secretary of the Appalachian Events Committee.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Alyssa Porterfield is a Freshman at Radford University majoring in Pre-health Biology.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Maggie Blankenship is a Sophomore at Radford University majoring in Environmental Biology.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #5
Caroline Leggett is a tree climber, bioacoustic recordist, photographer, real food advocate, bibliophile, and Radford University Interdisciplinary Studies major and Appalachian Studies minor.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #6
Chris Wilson is a Graduate student at Radford University studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Chris is the vice-chair of the Appalachian Events Committee.
Thirty-Three years of the Appalachian Events Committee
Radford University in Radford, Virginia, sits on the edge of Appalachia. Being so far away from the heart of the region, the students on its campus often do not know they are a part of Appalachia. As a result, there seemed to be a lack of Appalachian culture on campus, despite the prominent cultural presence surrounding the university in the city of Radford. In 1982, a group of students at Radford University realized this. They came together to form the Appalachian Events Committee. This organization started out with the same set of goals that still ring true in today’s committee: to support and promote Appalachian culture on campus, raise awareness of issues within the region, and dispel myths and stereotypes about the Appalachian people. With thirty-three years of work at the University, we have much history to share about this long-standing student led organization. The story of the Appalachian Events Committee will be told primarily through the testimonials of founding members as well as members throughout the thirty-three years of the organization. The Appalachian Events Committee stresses the idea, “Know Your Roots,” and in doing so, can look to the future for much more to come.
