A TRIBUTE: Celebrating Irene McKinney

Irene McKinney, poet, editor, and teacher, published seven collections of poetry, six during her lifetime including Vivid Companion and Six O’Clock Mine Report, and the most recent, published posthumously, Have You Had Enough Darkness Yet? The recipient of numerous awards, she served as WV’s Poet Laureate from 1994 until her death early last year. During the final years of her life she founded and directed the Low-Residency MFA Program at West Virginia Wesleyan College, where she was Professor Emerita. Her life and works were celebrated this weekend at an event in Charleston.

Speakers for the program include Maggie Anderson, Jessie van Eerden, and Marc Harshman. West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s John Nakashima provided a montage of radio and video clips from some of Irene’s most memorable interviews and readings. Music was provided by Kate Long and Doug Van Gundy.

The audio postcard ends with a recording of the late Irene McKinney reading her title poem from her final book of poetry that was published this year, “Have You Had Enough Darkness Yet?”

Davis & Elkins increases enrollement by 68%

Davis & Elkins College recently announced admission figures which demonstrate the College’s fifth consecutive year of increased enrollment.

Davis & Elkins College reports a total growth of 65.8 percent since 2008. The Office of the Registrar reported the official figures for the new academic year totaling 847 full-time students, 318 are new students and 529 are returning students.

The president of the College attributes the rise in enrollment to various factors including the Highlands Scholars program, recent upgrades in facilities, the highly credentialed faculty and staff, and the revision of curricular and co-curricular programs.

Recent upgrades and improvements include new $600,000 synthetic turf field and Locker Rooms,  renovations to the school’s Ceramics Studio, and the addition of a dance program an arts and entertainment season for students and the public.

WV Native becoming game show historian

A West Virginia native is finding success as a game show historian.  Adam Nedeff grew up in Vienna and graduated from Marshall University in 2005.  His first book has just been published.  It’s called “Quizmaster: The Life and Times and Fun and Games of Bill Cullen.” Cullen was a popular game show host, first on radio beginning in the 1940’s and ending his career on television in the 1980’s.

   Here’s Bill Cullen hosting the comedy quiz show “Walk a Mile” in 1952. A contestant named Greta is trying to explain how to make couscous.

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Bill Cullen jokes with a contestant on the radio show "Walk A Mile" in 1952.
Credit Courtesy Adam Nedeff
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Bill Cullen hosts The Price is Right in 1957
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