Alumni
Baines / Blackburn / Briscoe / Burchett / Butcher / Cabbell / Cain / Coe / E.Collins / N. Collins / Cook / Cozzo / Crabtree-Grindstaff / Davis / Demarest / Freed / Harris-Thum / Hayes / Henion / Hooker / Huffman / Hyde / Jenkins / Johnson / Joslin / Kilby-Fore / Long / McGraw / McKinney / McNaughton / Mongle / Ochsendorf / Pfleger / Price-Mitchem / Price / Poteete / Reynolds / Roark-Keener / Robinson / Rountree / Savell / Schumann / Shepherd-Powell / Smith / Sparrow-Potts / Staley / Thompson / Treadway / Toomey / Terman / Turman-Deal / Veteto / Weaver / Westrom / Williams / Wilson / Wrye-Coffman
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.
Courtney Baines, 2008, is currently teaching for Sustainable Development at ASU. courtney.baines@gmail.com
Jessica Blackburn is a Ph.D. student in Composition and Rhetoric at the University of Arkansas. Her work is focused on the intersection of feminist theory and composition studies.
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 lives in Gray, TN and has been the Director of the B. Carroll Reece Museum at the Center for Appalachian Studies and Services at East Tennessee State University since March 2005. She was recently was named the Director of the Appalachian Studies Minor at ETSU. theresaburchett@hotmail.com burchete@etsu.edu
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 and family completed their sojourn in New York City in June of 2007 and are now back home in Kentucky. Donavan is the Rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church (www.stpetersparis.org) in Paris, Kentucky, just outside of Lexington. In the summer, Donavan can be found teaching Old Time Music at the Cowan Creek Mountain Music School in Letcher County, Kentucky (www.cowancreekmusic.org). He can be reached at dcain@stpetersparis.org.
Whitney Kimball Coe, a spring 2008 graduate, has taken a position at the Center for Rural Strategies in Knoxville, TN.
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 the NCSU Graduate School (http://www.ncsu.edu/grad) in admissions. She has been accepted this fall into the Ph.D. program in Psychology in the Public Interest with a focus on Community Psychology. 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 Greene St., Augusta, GA 30901; 706.821.2600 Fax 706.821.2629 demarestd@ecgrl.org
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 completed his Masters of Library Science program from Clarion University in Pennsylvania in fall 2008. Most of all, Mark is happy to be living and working in Boone with his wife, Sunnee, new daughter Iyla, 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 two Appalachian Strings undergraduate courses for the Center, building and working on violins with Alfred Michels (Solitude Violin Shop), married and has a beautiful daughter, and according to him, still good looking. He is a realtor/broker with Vincent Properties in Boone. BooneProperty.net
Alex@AlexHooker.com
Eddie Huffman has entered 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. www.radford.edu/~wehyde
Carl Jenkins, 2008, is working for Northwestern Regional Housing Authority as a Housing Counselor. He counsels folks intent on being homeowners, guiding them through the obligations that go along with their new home. Most of the calls he gets are from people in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. In reemployment from Hospitality House to the NRHA, Carl has gone from helping those who are already homeless and trying to get back into stable housing, to helping those who are finding their housing unstable try to avoid becoming homeless. It is culturally clear from his position that our culture facilitates those at all levels of our economic system in their quest to live beyond their means. carljenkins@hotmail.com
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. She has moved back to the Pacific Northwest and is about to graduate with her Master's in Teaching degree from The University of Portland. She'll be teaching secondary social studies and science. Also, she has been dabbling in oral history-type stuff with a Native American studies professor. I have no idea where I'll land after graduation... sarajoslin79@yahoo.com
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. BREAKING NEWS: I finally won 1st place in the clawhammer banjo contest at the Galax Fiddlers' Convention!!! It was truly a dream come true. I had been trying to win for 14 years!
Britt Long is Special Master for the 10th Judicial District Court in Lewistown, MT (blong3@mt.gov), is about to be published in Volume III of the Appalachian Natural Resources Law Journal and legal counsel to two tribally-owned corporations working towards the production of meat for retail sale via the sustainable management of the tribe’s bison herd. She’s also glad this winter’s finally letting up.
Kristyn McGraw is working as a College Bookstore Manager for Sodexo Corporation at Spartanburg Methodist College. She is a teacher by calling and passionate about education. Previously she was a teacher and educator in Southern Illinois working for a children's science museum where she developed interactive science and math programs and exhibits. She worked in 27 counties with children, teachers, future teachers, state educational agencies and many others.
Alythea McKinney is currently in the Ed.D. program in Learning and Teaching at the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University.
Tamara McNaughton has secured funding through the USDA for the Johnson County Farmers Market and the Johnson County Community Food Assessment and Planning Project in Mountain City, TN. For 2009-2010, her work will concentrate on these projects.
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 and 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
Susan Pepper, 2008, will be teaching Diversity in Appalachia and Appalachia: An Introduction (Humanities) for Appalachian Studies in fall 2009. susan_pepper@hotmail.com
Randall Pfleger is director of Pine Mountain Settlement School's new sustainability project. Randall is working on energy conservation measures for the School's operation and agricultural projects, including a community garden.
Pam Price Mitchem is now assistant professor (recently promoted) and archivist for the University Archives unit of Belk Library at Appalachian State. She completed her Ed.S. degree in Leadership & Higher Education in 2006. When she has time, she teaches Southern culture and Appalachian culture classes for Wilkes Community College. Pam and her husband Gary still live in West Jefferson, NC with their now 3-year old daughter Madeline Rose. pricemtchemp@appstate.edu
Sharon Price completed her double degree program in English and Appalachian 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
pricesp@appstate.edu
Sarah Poteete currently works as the donor relations coordinator for the University Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she is constantly and gladly in the thick of things. The most recent fascinating thing that has happened to her has been her marriage to her beau of six years, Eddie Huffman, who also graduated from App Studies. They are living in Carrboro, which is quite different than Chapel Hill. poteetesp@hotmail.com
David Reynolds is working at Appalshop (www.appalshop.org). dreynolds@appalshop.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.
Cassie M. Robinson is now Assistant Director of Pine Mountain Settlement School in Pine Mountain, KY. www.pinemountainsettlementschool.com
Travis Rountree is an adjunct instructor in the ASU English department and taught Appalachian Culture for the Duke TIP program at ASU summer 2008. rountreeta@appstate.edu
Suzanne Savell, Traditional Music Coordinator at Appalshop. suzsav@gmail.com
Billy Schumann is assistant professor of anthropology at Arkansas Tech University and taught our Intro to App Studies course summer 2008. wschumann@atu.edu
Julie Shepherd-Powell (2005) is beginning a Ph.D. program in Anthropology at the University of Kentucky in fall 2008. She plans to study grassroots organizing around coal in eastern Kentucky. Julie "tied the knot" in May 2008, and she spends her free time with her husband (and fiddle player) Adrian Shepherd-Powell at fiddlers' conventions--playing banjo and dancing. oldtimejulie@yahoo.com
Steve Smith, a 1993 MA graduate, performs professionally with his wife Ruth doing Celtic Appalachian music on hammered and mountain dulcimers, guitar, and clawhammer banjo. He also teaches audio production in the Department of Communication at ASU, and owns Cabin Cove Music, a recording studio and music publishing company in Zionville, NC. Visit their website at www.steveandruth.com. Also, check out the new ASU Student Media Showcase where they are exhibiting Steve's audio students' and Kevin Balling's video students' work at www.mediashowcase.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 archivist and 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. staleykl1971@yahoo.com mail to: staleykl@appstate.edu
Anna Rachel Terman is a dual-title Ph.D. student at The Pennsylvania State University in Rural Sociology and Women's Studies. She is working as a research assistant on a project titled "Doing Food Work: Practices of Gendered Inequalities in (re)productive Labor in the U.S. Food System" funded by the National Science Foundation.
Deborah Thompson is Programming Director at Berea College Appalachian Center. Deborah_Thompson@berea.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 is working on her doctorate in history at West Virginia University. Her major field is 20th century U.S. history, and her minor fields are Appalachian, world, and public history. She and her husband bought their first home in the fall of 2007, so while she is very enthusiastic about her studies, she finds it somewhat challenging to keep her nose in the books and her hands out of the garden. Aside from gardening and reading, she has spent the summer of 2008 tracking down current and former regional back-to-the-landers to interview for her dissertation. jaturman@yahoo.com
Jim Veteto is finishing a doctorate at UGA Athens in Anthropology.
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)
Elizabeth Williams is a librarian at Appalachian State University. willamsem@appstate.edu
Alice Brooke Wilson was accepted into the UNC Anthropology Ph.D. program.
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
Rachel Westrom is pursuing a career in Occupational Therapy. She is currently taking prerequisite classes and will be applying to West Virginia University at the end of 2009 or beginning or 2010.
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
LINKS:
APPALACHIAN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
