Faculty & Staff

Director

Roberta T. Herrin, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Appalachian Studies and Services
Chair and Professor, Department of Appalachian Studies
E-Mail:   herrinr@etsu.edu
Telephone:   423-439-7997


Co-Director and Executive Aide

Ruth Hausman
E-mail:    hausman@etsu.edu
Telephone:    423-439-7865


Faculty

Tom Lee, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of History
E-Mail:   leet@etsu.edu


Dr. Lee is the director of the Public History Program at ETSU. The author of The Tennessee-Virginia Tri-Cities: Urbanization in Appalachia, 1900-1950, Dr. Lee is teaching the Tennessee history course for the 2012 Governor's School for the Scientific Exploration of Tennessee Heritage.




Joseph Penza
E-Mail:   j.penza@yahoo.com




Joseph Penza is originally from Providence, Rhode Island where he completed his undergraduate degree in the history of science at Brown University. He completed his master’s degree in archival studies at ETSU in May 2011 and has been a volunteer curator at the Museum at Mountain Home since 2009.  He is currently working as city archivist and records clerk for the City of Elizabethton as well as serving on the steering committee for the Elizabethton/Carter County Vision for the Arts. 

Read more at:  http://www.starhq.com/2012/02/15/new-city-archivist-working-to-start-archives-for-city/

 
 




Michael J. Whitelaw
Associate Professor
Department of Geosciences
E-Mail:  whitelaw@etsu.edu
Telephone:  423-439-7516




Dr. Whitelaw studies the geology and stratigraphy of East Tennessee and also works on understanding the geologic controls on petroglyph production in Western Mongolia. His current research at the Gray Fossil Site is centered on understanding the geology and basin-fill history of the Gray Fossil Site with a view to finding other sites in the region. Dr. Whitelaw is looking forward to having another group of students come and help unravel the geologic history of the site.


Justin Sanders

Justin D Sanders, B.Arch.
Preservation Field Services Representative
Heritage Alliance and the National Trust for Historic Preservation
E-Mail:   jsanders@heritageall.org
Telephone:   423-753-9580
Website


Justin Sanders is a 2007 graduate of Virginia Tech's College of Architecture and Urban Studies with a degree in Architecture. He specializes in architectural history, preservation technology, urban planning, and public policy. Mr. Sanders is entering his third year as a Governor's School instructor and utilizes his volunteer background in student affairs and community service to create a fun and informative environment through the field experience.


Counselors

 Chelsea Benson is from Ooltewah, Tennessee, and is a junior at ETSU majoring in Elementary Education. Her goal is to eventually become a school principal. This past year, she was a residential advisor in Carter Hall--home to this summer's Governor's School students. As a Governor's School counselor, she is looking forward to visiting the Gray Fossil Site and Roan Mountain.

Haden Geiger is a sophomore at ETSU majoring in Immunology. After graduation, he hopes to work at the Center for Disease Control. In his spare time, Haden enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and participating in mixed martial arts. He is looking forward to working with the students at the Gray Fossil Site and caving.

Jessie Kennedy is from McMinnville, Tennessee. She is a sophomore at ETSU majoring in social work with a minor in Spanish. Jessie is a 2009 Governor's School alum. Her favorite things about Governor's School are meeting all of the new and interesting people, caving, and learning something new every day, whether it's about the people around her or what the students are studying.




Ariel White is twenty-one-years-old and is from Hendersonville, Tennessee. She’s a senior at ETSU studying to become a physical education teacher. Ariel has been a residential advisor for ETSU Housing for two years. She is thrilled with the prospect of experiencing the wonderful opportunities afforded Governor's School students and her fellow counselors.