By Rodney Wolfenbarger

The Loyal Jones Appalachian Center wrapped up its inaugural Dinner on the Grounds lunchtime series with a presentation by Berea College History professor Dr. Gordon McKinney on Wednesday, April 29, 2009.

The presentation, titled “The First Appalachia: The History of Northern New England”, was the third and final event in the lunchtime series for this academic year. In addition to learning about the settlement and early history of an often forgotten area of Appalachia—its northern tip—attendees also helped celebrate the career of McKinney as he retires from his position as Julian-Van Dusen Chair in the History Department.

A noted historian of regional politics and the history of Appalachian North Carolina, McKinney also served as the third director of the Appalachian Center, from 1995-2005, during his tenure at the college. During his appointment as director, McKinney proved to be a strong voice for Berea College’s continued regional commitment to its Appalachian programs and also led the Center through a period of reorganization and expansion.

Under McKinney’s guidance an enlarged Appalachian Center moved into its newly-renovated home in the Bruce-Trades Building in 1999, bringing the Appalachian Studies Program, Appalachian Heritage Magazine, Brushy Fork Institute, and the Artifacts & Exhibits Studio under one umbrella. Soon after, the Entrepreneurship for the Public Good program was also added.

The Appalachian Center shared the building with the then-new Center for Excellence in Learning through Service (CELTS) and began working closely with that program in the areas of service-learning and direct student service to the region, a partnership that continues today. Professor McKinney also contributed lasting leadership in his work with an NEH Challenge grant, which now funds the NEH Chair in Appalachian Studies and part of the annual Appalachian Seminar and Tour.

In 2005, McKinney stepped down as Center Director to become Chair of Berea’s History Department, a position from which he is retiring this year.