Dr. Chris Gilmer, President

We are so proud of two of our National Institutes for Historically-Underserved delegates who are recent authors. Dr. Stacee Reicherzer has worked a long time on her groundbreaking book about otherness, bullying, and how we can all lift ourselves and each other up by rewriting our stories. You might remember Helena Lourdes Donato-Sapp from the amazing poem she wrote for our 2019 Think Tank.

Well, this young powerhouse has published a chapter in an amazing book about reforming and reclaiming our schools. I had the honor to be a peer reviewer for Stacee’s book, and my copy of Helena’s book is on order. We will also be sharing both books at WVU Parkersburg and placing copies in our library.

Be sure to support our amazing friends who are changing the world for the better, and as other National Institutes delegates and supporters publish and accomplish other things, be sure to let us know so that we can promote their gifts. Congratulations, Helena and Stacee!

Dr. Chris Gilmer, President

My favorite television show of all time, among many diverse favorites, is The Waltons. In some ways, my life has not been that different than John Boy’s life. Often my family might not have had much, but always we had each other and the bounty that the land tended by our elders provided to sustain us. I remember hoeing garden rows so long you couldn’t see one end from the other on a hot July day, and how I wish I could do it all again.

Before we went to sleep, tired from an honest day’s work, and long before the aroma of sausage frying and Mamaw’s biscuits rising would awaken us, we would say good night to each other just like the Waltons did on TV. How I miss that little house on the road to Damascus, Mississippi, and how I wish I could say, “Good night, Papaw” one more time and fall asleep with the calm assurance he was watching over us.

Dr. Chris Gilmer, President

March is Women’s History Month, so I am reposting a link to an article about one of my longest friends who was recently and appropriately recognized as one of the inspirational women in American history. The Honorable Constance Slaughter-Harvey, Esquire, has a list of firsts as long as they come, each of them special and important, but I know her well enough to understand that the first which matters most to her in a lifetime of accomplishment is being mother to Constance Olivia and grandmother to Tre’.

Connie is one of many women who stitched the fabric of my life along with my force-of-nature mother, my role model sister, grandmothers, nieces, aunts, cousins, teachers, and all of my women friends. I will not overlook my female students who are already starting to write their own pages of history and will continue to do so. While I honor the men in my life, I was raised by women and formed by their sacrifice and their perseverance. This month and every month is women’s history month for me. Thank you all.

Click here to read the article.

Dr. Chris Gilmer, President

If you did not hear this amazing conversation about racism and racial healing as part of the National Institutes for Historically-Underserved Students virtual think tank in November, you should listen now. Listen to the voices of diverse students from across the country, including students from WVU Parkersburg, doing what others in leadership often struggle to do: sharing ideas about difficult topics with dignity, honesty, and mutual respect. I am hoping to convene these amazing students again for a second conversation sometime soon. From South Dakota to Mississippi, Colorado to West Virginia, they make me proud. Knowing young people like this will soon be in charge of our world gives me hope.

Here is a link: https://youtu.be/PAhvqZePKNY