Beckley Students Continue Tradition
of Volunteering For Domestic Violence Awareness Month Observances
ociology students at Concord’s Beckley location have participated in Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities in October for the past several years. They have donated thousands of dollars and hours of volunteering to the cause. Beckley students continued that tradition by assisting with events this past October. CU students helped with the annual Candlelight Vigil hosted by the United Methodist Temple’s “The
Place” on Saturday, Oct. 12. They assisted the Women’s Resource Center advocates with setting up the event and held candles to honor the 23 fatalities due to domestic violence in West Virginia from the past year. Students from Lori Pace’s Social Problems and Criminology classes also directly donated $200 to the WRC. Concord students have also assisted with fundraisers at the Higher Education Center. On Friday, Oct. 18, two individuals sold refreshments to their fellow students to raise money for the Shady Spring High School Homecoming Parade to benefit the WRC and raise awareness.
The WRC is a non-profit organization that provides shelter for victims of abuse and sexual violence. It is the largest of 14 domestic violence programs in West Virginia, and offers temporary shelter, counseling, and a 24 hour hotline to all victims. For more information on the WRC contact Dee Sizemore who currently serves as the Board Vice President at 304255-2559. Cole Cloonan, a student in Concord’s PR Workshop wrote this article. He is from Charles Town, W.Va.
Coal Heritage Lecture Series
Part of Appalachian Studies Course
he Coal Heritage Lecture Series, an annual program presented by Concord University’s Beckley campus and the Coal Heritage Highway Authority, continues the 2014 season with programs in April and May.
Billy Strasser, discuss the recent work completed in the town of Nuttallburg in the lecture “Nuttallburg: Then and Now.” Once a model coal camp owned by Henry Ford, the site has been stabilized by the National Park Service and an interpretive trail has been created that is open to visitors. The series will conclude on May 6 when Gordon Simmons, historian and Marshall University instructor, will explore the culture of resistance Each spring, the Coal Heritage in coal miners. “The Miner’s Public Lecture Series explores the Freedom” considers the history rich and enduring legacy of coal in of coal miners and their ability to the Mountain State. The lectures exert some control in the workforce, take place at the Erma Byrd Higher despite the autocracy of the coal Education Center, 300 University camps. Drive, Beaver, in Room E 10 at 7 p.m. The public lecture series is a part All lectures are free and open to the of an academic class in Appalachian public. Studies at Concord’s Beckley April 1 will see National Park campus. The class, Coal Culture in Service Interpretive Ranger,
West Virginia, is taught in the spring semester by Karen Vuranch. “The course covers the history and technology of coal mining in West Virginia,” Vuranch said. “But more importantly, it explores the cultural impact on the people of our state.” Students taking the course for credit hear lectures, watch films and participate in field trips that help them better understand the rich history of coal in West Virginia. Community members are also welcome to audit the course, where they attend all sessions without having to complete assignments for a grade. For more information, contact Concord University’s Beckley campus at (304) 256-0270. Spring 2014 • 54