ALUMNI
Blackburn / Schumann / Briscoe / Burchett / Butcher / Cabbell / Cain / E. Collins / N. Collins / Cook / Cozzo / Crabtree / Davis / Demarest / Harris / Hayes / Henion / Hooker / Huffman / Hyde / Johnson / Joslin / Kilby Fore / Freed / Henion / Long / McGraw / McKinney / McNaughton / Mitchell / Mongle / Ochsendorf / Poteete / Price Mitchem / Reynolds / Roark Keener / Robinson / Savell / Shepherd / Smith / Sparrow / Staley / Thompson / Treadway / Toomey / Turman-Deal / Weaver / Wrye Coffman
See ALUMNI NEWS at the bottom of the page.
Here's the scoop on some of our alumni. If you're an alum and would like to be included on the web site, let us know.
  Jessica Blackburn and Billy Schumann:
Jessie Blackburn is teaching English literature and composition at Emory and Henry College (Emory, VA). jblackburn@ehc.edu
Billy Schumann is Visiting Professor of Political Science and Public Policy and Community Service at Emory and Henry College (Emory, VA). wschumann@ehc.edu
Lori Briscoe, Associate Director of the Appalachian Center, Berea College, Berea, KY. Lori and
Corey
are the proud parents of Selah, born March 21, 2003.
lbpetc@gmail.com
Theresa E. Burchett is now working as a Curatorial Research Assistant for the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian which will be opening in September 2004. Kimo Anderson and Theresa were married on Sept. 20, 2003, at the Green Park Inn in Blowing Rock, NC. They plan on residing in the DC area for another 2 years then hopefully move back to North Carolina. She is also starting an event planning business.
theresaburchett@hotmail.com
Jamie Gail Butcher completed her M.A. degree in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State University in August 2005. She holds a B.A. degree in anthropology from the University of Virginia. Currently, Ms. Butcher is pursuing a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. Her research interests include missional theology, women and gender, and all things Appalachian.
jamie.butcher@ptsem.edu
Edward J. Cabbell is the curator of the John Henry Center for Culture and History Exchange and director of the John Henry Festival and Conference. Find out more about the John Henry Center by writing or calling PO Box 1172, Morgantown, WV 26507, (304) 292-0767.
Donavan Cain moved to New York City in August 2004, where he attends the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church. Cyndee has a job teaching. Their second daughter, Erin Elizabeth, was born in December of 2003.
dcain@gts.edu Erica Collins is working on completing her MS in biology at ASU and is also beginning seminary studies this fall at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. She lives in Todd, NC, with her partner, Julie.
bethgimel@hotmail.com
Nancy Collins, "So glad you asked....Nancy has changed her name to "Anita Mann," and is thoroughly enjoying her new job at Sherwin Williams, where she's fulfilling her life-long dream to be a mountain mover and "shaker." Still lazy after all these years, she can sometimes be spotted wandering the ASU campus looking for a parking place, and/or dodging UFO's. Her greatest accomplishment in life (thus far) is the not-one, not-two, but THREE tickets she has successfully wormed her way out of. She would like to thank the ASU Parking Nazi's and her parole officer for their support."
Dare Cook is working at NCSU in graduate admissions for the computer science program (http://www.csc.ncsu.edu/). She helps applicants (90% of which are from overseas) in trying to settle into life in the U.S. She will continue to stay involved with Women's Studies at NCSU. You can contact her at dare1231@aol.com.
Dave Cozzo is now Dr. Dave. He is the Project Director for the Revitalization of Traditional Cherokee Artisan Resources and, with intensive training in yogic breathing, he will soon be able to say his title in one breath. He can be contacted at cozzod@wcu.edu.
Ashley Crabtree Grindstaff is the Executive Director of the Yancey County/Burnsville Chamber of Commerce. She moved to North Carolina in July of this year and will be getting married in September to Ben Grindstaff who is also an Appalachian Grad.
ashleycrabtree44@hotmail.com
Aaron Davis is the Executive Director/Curator of the Ralph Stanley Museum and Traditional Mountain Music Center (located in Clintwood, VA). http://www.ralphstanleymuseum.com
aaron@ralphstanleymuseum.com
Dottie Demarest is the Genealogy and Local History librarian with the East Central Georgia Regional Library System, living in Augusta, Georgia. Genealogy and Local History, East Central Georgia Public Library, 902 Greeene St., Augusta, GA 30901;
706.821.2600 Fax 706.821.2629
demarestd@ecgrl.org
 Trish Kilby Fore accepted a job as a library assistant in Technical Services at the Galax-Carroll Regional Library in Galax, VA. Her main duties include tending the circulation and information desks, cataloging books, compiling monthly reports, and troubleshooting computer problems. On two occasions she was named acting-director when the library's regional director was away. In August 2007 Trish enrolled in Florida State University's Library and Information Studies master's degree program at a distance. Upon completion of the degree in two years, she hopes to obtain a position as a regional library director. In her spare time, Trish continues to enjoy playing the banjo at local square dances, fiddler's conventions, and community events. Her husband, Kevin, is also an accomplished clawhammer banjo player and plays with the Galax, Virginia-based group, Southern Pride, winners of the 2007 Galax Old-Time Band contest. He is also beginning to build banjos in the Kyle Creed tradition, fretted and fretless with gold-flecked formica. They are doing well in Lowgap, NC, on the banks of Camp Creek with our cat, Otis.
 Mark Freed
is currently working as Folklorist for the Watauga Arts Council in Boone, NC. He helps coordinate programs, including the summer Concerts on the Lawn series, Junior Appalachian Musicians program, weekly Jones House Jams, monthly square dances, and other community programs. Mark also teaches the Appalachian Music (AS/MUS 2016) course each semester, and he works with the Center for Appalachian Studies to help connect ASU students with the traditional arts community in Watauga and surrounding counties. Mark is also currently enrolled in a Masters of Library Science program from Clarion University in Pennsylvania. Most of all, Mark is happy to be living and working in Boone with his wife, Sunnee, dog Etta, and room full of banjos. philburs@yahoo.com
Sara Harris Thum finally tied the knot with her main squeeze, Ryan, in October - it was a fun, beautiful mountain (valley) wedding in Blacksburg, VA. Ryan is studying for the Bar and has accepted a job in Roanoke, while Sara is still working for NC State Libraries, when she is not crocheting, perfecting her EAD, chasing her two dogs, or watering her garden, etc., etc. We are looking forward to getting settled in Roanoke soon! Sara_Harris@ncsu.edu
Vicky Hayes is working at the Berea College Learning Center working one-on-one with Appalachian students engaged in learning to write, as well as other diverse and interesting duties. She plans to work with Pat toward publishing Mary Jane's material.
vicky_hayes@berea.edu
Leigh Ann Henion is a freelance writer and photographer based in Boone, NC. Her essays and articles have appeared or are forthcoming in publications such as The Washington Post Magazine, Smithsonian, The Christian Science Monitor and Orion. Additionally, Leigh Ann teaches writing in the English Department at Appalachian State University. Please visit www.leighannhenion.com to learn more about her work.
Alex Hooker is still in Boone, teaching old-time music through IDS, building and working on violins with Alfred Michels (Solitude Violin Shop), married this past spring, and according to him, still good looking.
hookeralex@hotmail.com
Eddie Huffman is now finishing his UNC MA Folklore thesis on Primitive Baptists in the folklore graduate program at UNC and is entering the UNC Ph.D. program in Anthropology with a full, renewable scholarship for next year. Eddie continues to do contract work for the Folklife Section of NCAC and NC Folklore Institute.
elhuffma@email.unc.edu
Gene Hyde is Appalachian Collection Librarian at Radford University in Radford, Virginia, and works closely with the Appalachian Regional Studies Center at Radford.
http://www.radford.edu/~wehyde/
Kim Johnson, Managing Editor, The Mountain Times, Boone, NC.
klm@mountaintimes.com
Sarah Joslin is a native of the Pacific Northwest. As an undergraduate student at Washington State University - Vancouver, Sarah became interested in grassroots community activism. While studying at Appalachian State University, Sarah worked with a group of local community members on an oral history project. Since graduating, Sarah has moved to Morgantown, West Virginia and works for West Virginia Women Work!, a small nonprofit. West Virginia Women Work! supports and advocates [for the] education, employment, and equity for all women.
Now, Sarah works at the Mullens Opportunity Center in Wyoming County, West Virginia as a program coordinator for a family/GED/computer literacy program. http://www.railwv.org. In her free time she writes for the local paper.
sarajoslin79@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.wvwomenwork.org
Stephanie Roark Keener, Director of the John B. Stephenson Center for Appalachian and Comparative Highland Studies http://www.lmc.edu/appstudies at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, NC. She not only coordinates the Stephenson Center's Summer Course Program but is also responsible for the direction of Appalachian Studies minor and other outreach and campus programs that have a highland connection. She lives in Banner Elk with her husband, John, and their son Calvin. You can contact the Stephenson Center at 828-898-8905 or keenersd@lmc.edu.
Britt Long is currently Legal Counsel for the Montana Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation doing water rights litigation, living in Helena, doing a lot of team penning (timed event working cows from a horse) and a little banjo picking when the opportunity arises and life's pretty good despite the absence of hardwood forest, rain and the fact that we're too far north to be on the regular tour circuit for people like Gillian Welch, Lyle Lovett and Chris Knight. BLong2@mt.gov
Alythea McKinney is currently in the Ed.D. program in Learning and Teaching at the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University.
 Tamara McNaughton returned to her bliss, greenhouse growing, after graduating in 2007. She is currently the Executive Director at Appalachian Native Plants, Inc. (ANP) in Mountain City, TN. The project is located at the closed Johnson County landfill. ANP grows native ornamental plant species, mostly azaleas, and sustainable/organic food crops. ANP is dedicated to providing educational opportunities and supporting the regional agricultural economy.
appnativeplants@gmail.com
www.appalachiannativeplants.com
 Pam Price Mitchem is now assistant professor (recently promoted) and archivist for the University Archives unit of Belk Library at Appalachian State. I completed my Ed.S. degree in Leadership & Higher Education in 2006. When I have time, I teach Southern culture and Appalachian culture classes for Wilkes Community College. My husband Gary and I still live in West Jefferson, NC with our now 3-year old daughter Madeline Rose.
pricemtchemp@appstate.edu
John Mongle, Managing editor, The Business Journal of Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia. He may be contacted at The Journal's offices at P.O. Box 643, Blountville, TN 37617-0643, by phone at 423-323-7111.
Lynn Ochsendorf is married to Al Martin. Took over parent's promotional product business. Trustee of a charitable organization doing home repairs for low income homeowners...likely to be Appalachian raised widows. She is serving in her 6th year as president of the city council in Whitehall, Ohio.
lynnopromo@aol.com
Sarah Poteete currently works for the University Librarian at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she is constantly and gladly in the thick of things. She is living in Carrboro, which is quite different than Chapel Hill.
poteetesp@hotmail.com
Sharon Price completed her double degree program in English and Appalachi an studies with the publication of her experimental thesis, a novel entitled "Dovie," in the summer of 2005.
She currently teaches in the English Department at Appalachian State University and at Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton, North Carolina.
Her double program awards her the privilege of being the only college level English instructor for whom the phrase "Y'all ain't right" is grammatically correct. Sharon is married to Larry Jackson Price who also graduated with a Master of Arts from Appalachian State University, and they make their home in Brendletown near Morganton, NC. sissyinwales@hotmail.com
sprice@wpcc.edu
David Reynolds is working at Appalshop (www.appalshop.org). dreynolds@appalshop.org
Cassie M. Robinson is now working as the coordinator of the Liston B. Ramsey Center for Regional Studies at Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, North Carolina. She has been at Mars Hill since August of 2003. Cassie is enjoying her return to her hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. Find out more about the Liston B. Ramsey Center for Regional Studies at their website, http://www.mhc.edu/regional. Her email address is crobinson@mhc.edu.
Suzanne Savell, Traditional Music Coordinator at Appalshop.
savellsuz@earthlink.net
Julie Shepherd is now working at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia as the Director of Civic Engagement. She left Appalshop at the end of July for this new job helping faculty incorporate service-learning into the classroom, helping students find community service placements, and just supporting all community service/volunteer efforts at Mary Baldwin College. oldtimejulie@yahoo.com
 Steve Smith, Communication Dept., ASU.
For more information go to his web page. smithks@appstate.edu
Amy Sparrow Potts is field representative for the Rural Heritage Development Initiative-a three-year pilot program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in collaboration with Preservation Kentucky and funded through the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to help develop and implement preservation-based economic development strategies in eight Kentucky counties. For more information visit www.preservationkentucky.org. Amy resides in Harrodsburg Kentucky with her husband Craig- she can be reached at amy@preservationkentucky.org. asparrow@hotmail.com
Kathy Staley lives in Boone with her family. Blaine is in kindergarten! She works as the W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection archivistand still sadistically teaches the genealogy portion of Fred Hay's AS 5000 course. She hopes to be completing her second masters in History within the next year. <http://www.library.appstate.edu/appcoll/>
staleykl1971@yahoo.com <mailto:%20staleykl@appstate.edu>
Deb Thompson is working on her Ph.D. in Geography at the University of Kentucky
djthom4@uky.edu
Justan Treadway completed the M.A. in Appalachian Studies in Fall 2004. He is currently working for the American Museum of Natural History in New York City as an Anthropology Educator for the Moveable Museum Program. This involves tremendous fearlessness while driving a 37' Winnebago around Manhattan, and the continuous search for the proper Brooklyn pronunciation of "y'all."
treadway@amnh.org
A. Simms Toomey
simms77@gmail.com
Jinny Turman-Deal has been accepted to the Ph.D. program in History at West Virginia University. jaturman@yahoo.com
Henry J. Weaver (Hank), retired ASU Police Department, June 2001. Moving to Research
Triangle or Piedmont Triad in Fall 2001. Enrolled in Continuing Ed at Duke University.
(828) 773-2016 (cell phone/voice mail)
 Jessica Wrye Coffman, Program Manager, Preschool Health Promotion Project, Health Behavior Research Center at West Virginia University. Jessy and and her husband Jason are living in Morgantown with their little boy, Colt, who just turned 1 in January 2008. Jason's restaurant celebrated its 5th anniversary.
wryebread@hotmail.com
Please let us know if any of our information is incorrect or if you would like to be added to or deleted from our alumni list. bauerdk@appstate.edu
ALUMNI NEWS:
NEW ALUMNI:
Rebecca Baird is an adjunct instructor at ASU. F'06
Carl Larsen F'06
Tamara McNaughton S'07
Sara Oakley F'07
Travis Rountree is an adjunct instructor in the ASU English department. F'07
Barbara Talman S'07
Elizabeth Williams continues to work at Belk Library. S'07
Leila Weinstein is currently working on a grant at the Appalachian Journal. F'07
Alice Brooke Wilson was accepted into the UNC Anthropology PhD program. SS'06
LINKS:
GRADUATE STUDIES ALUMNI
APPALACHIAN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
ALUMNI NEWS
AVAILABLE POSITIONS
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