Thomas More Students/Faculty Embrace Urban Appalachian Interests
CRESTVIEW HILLS KY, March, 2018 -- Thomas More College is proud to serve as a presenting sponsor and partner for the 41st Annual Appalachian Studies Association (ASA) Conference, hosted April 5-8 by the Urban Appalachian Community Coalition (UACC). This is the first time the Conference takes place in Cincinnati, Ohio, which is located slightly beyond the official borders of Appalachia but holds a significant Urban Appalachian population. The event takes place at the downtown Millennium and Hyatt Hotels and expects to attract more than 1,000 attendees across disciplines, professions, and service areas.
Thomas More College (TMC) faculty, students, and alumni will present various projects inspired by this year’s theme, “Re-Stitching the Seams: Appalachia Beyond Its Borders,” in the spirit of creatively examining Appalachian issues both in and out of the region. “People are often surprised to find out about the significant Appalachian ties and migration history reflected in the residents who live in urban Cincinnati and Covington neighborhoods,” says Dr. Sherry Cook Stanforth, TMC English professor and director of Creative Writing Vision, a literary outreach program featuring both local and regional author/artists connected to the Appalachian region. “Our college’s energetic involvement in the conference is out of interest for the thousands upon thousands of Appalachians who contribute richly within our own local culture. Many of us who are presenting research or performing at this year’s gathering embrace that heritage in personal ways.”
Stanforth, who is also a steward member of UACC, states that her TMC affiliates represent a strong showing within the six major conference subthemes, which include Diversity and Inclusion, Economic Development, Education, Environmental Sustainability, Health, and Migration. Visit tmcky.us/Appalachia, for a complete list of TMC’s involvement in the Conference.
The ASA has designated Saturday, April 7, as “Community Day,” extending an invitation to members of the public to attend mini-plenary sessions and daytime presentations at no cost. To participate and pre-register for events, visit http://uacvoice.org/asa2018/community-day/
The public program Urban Appalachian Showcase (supported by Cincinnati Arts Association and ArtsWave, co-sponsor Miami University Regionals Appalachian Studies) on April 7, 7:30-9:30 p.m., at the Aronoff Center, Jarson-Kaplan Theater, includes arts-based performances by Dick Hague and Pauletta Hansel (TMC current and former Writer-in-residence), and Stanforth.
Contact: Sherry Cook Stanforth, Ph.D.
Professor of English
Creative Writing Vision Director
333 Thomas More Parkway
Crestview Hills, KY 41017
Office: 859.344.3679
stanfos@thomasmore.edu
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Thomas More College is a values-based liberal arts institution that is proud to be one of 9 Catholic Diocesan colleges in the nation. Located in Crestview Hills, KY, just 10 minutes from downtown Cincinnati, it was originally founded in 1921 by the Benedictine Sisters as Villa Madonna College. The college offers personalized attention and strong academic programs that allow students to have a distinctive and transformative experience. Thomas More College was recognized in 2015, 2016, and 2017 by PayScale.com as the number one college for return on investment in the state