ISSUED: 28 March 2025
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Shepherd University’s Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities showed up in big ways at the 48th annual International Appalachian Studies (ASA) conference in Cookeville, Tennessee, March 20-22.
Karen Zacharias, Shepherd University Appalachian studies graduate, won this year’s ASA Weatherford Award in fiction for her novel No Perfect Mothers.
Inspired by her graduate thesis, which covered the tragic Carrie Bucks’ eugenics story of the early 20th century, Zacharias completed her book with Mercer University Press and released the book in February 2024.
No Perfect Mothers is Zacharias’s second Weatherford Award, after winning for her book Mother of Rain in 2013.
Fellow Appalachian studies graduate E.J. Wade accepted the award on behalf of Zacharias.
Wade and Zacharias have been working together on the 2025 publication The Devil’s Pulpit and Other Mostly True Scottish Misadventures, a story inspired by their time while completing the dual degree program at Shepherd with the University of the West of Scotland.
Their new book tells the story of two middle-aged women, one black and the other white, who wind their way through Scotland together on a series of adventures during their Shepherd University study abroad program.
Wade and Zacharias will visit Shepherd on April 23 to discuss their new book and share their experiences in the Appalachian studies program at Shepherd University.
With the conference theme “Rural Reimagined: A Grand Challenge for Appalachia,” Kevin Murphy, trades specialist for facilities management at Shepherd, presented his master’s project, “The Othering of Appalachia: The Exploitation of West Virginia,” and Dr. Sylvia Shurbutt, professor emerita, presented her paper “Poetry All Around Us,” exploring the work of West Virginia Poet Laureate Marc Harshman.
This was Murphy’s first academic conference, and he was able to meet Frank X Walker and Ann Pancake, who were plenary presenters at this year’s ASA Conference and past Appalachian Heritage Writers-in-Residence at Shepherd University.
Murphy was inspired to see so many people who care about Appalachia gather to share their research and stories.
“I take comfort in the knowledge that such a large, informed group is working to improve the region,” he said.
Director of Appalachian Studies at Shepherd University Dr. Benjamin Bankhurst said it’s exciting to see Shepherd University continue to be well represented on the national stage.
“We are thrilled that our students have again taken part in the annual Appalachian Studies Association Conference,” he said. “Over the years, the ASA meetings have allowed our students to share their research and writing with peers from across the country. In their wonderful presentations this year, Kevin, Ellen, and Karen demonstrated the passion and commitment of Shepherd students to the region and its unique history and culture.”
For more information about Shepherd University’s Appalachian studies program, contact Bankhurst at BBankhur@shepherd.edu.
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