SPRING 2025 ACL SPEAKER SCHEDULE
Spring 2025 ACL SPEAKER SCHEDULE
NO CLASS MEETING AT FOOD CITY ON TUESDAY, APRIL 8 OR
THURSDAY, APRIL 10.
ON TUESDAY, APRIL 8, ALL WHO ARE INTERESTED CAN MEET AT 207
N. BOONE STREET, JOHNSON CITY AT 10:00 A.M. FOR A TOUR OF THE
JOHNSON CITY RAILROAD EXPERIENCE.
Paid by ACL for members.
Please choose this workshop on the registration page, or when
registering online.
TUESDAY, MARCH 18 | COLIN BAXTER
Top Secret RDX and East Tennessee During WWII
The amazing story of what happened at the Holston Ordinance Works
(HOW) during WWII has received only passing attention by historians.
Between 1943 and 1945, HOW mass produced the super-explosive RDX,
the most powerful explosive in the world, before the advent of the atomic
bomb, which helped the Allies not only win in all theaters of the war, but it
was used in the making of the plutonium bomb.
Dr. Baxter is professor emeritus of history at ETSU. He graduated from
ETSU and received undergraduate and graduate degrees from the
University of Georgia. He has authored 5 books on WWII and many other
military topics in addition to numerous articles on military history.
THURSDAY, MARCH 20 | JOE GRANDY
Past, Present and Future of Washington County
Mr. Grandy is currently in his second term as Washington County mayor.
He will address current initiatives, issues and challenges facing our
community. This will be an opportunity for the class to ask questions,
provide feedback and make comments on a one-to-one basis
From Norfolk, VA, Mr. Grandy graduated from Randolph-Macon College,
moving to Johnson City in 1985 to accept a job that extended over
30 years. During this time, he became involved with ETSU in several
capacities, and in 2016 he was awarded Honorary Alumni. He has been
involved in numerous community organizations, committees and various
positions as well.
TUESDAY, MARCH 25 | WILL BARRETT
The Future of Banking and Protecting Against Bank Fraud
Mr. Barrett will present on banking trends in the industry over the past
30 years, current dynamics with the new federal administration and rate
environment, and the future of banking. The bank’s security officer will
accompany Mr. Barrett to discuss recent financial fraud trends targeting
seniors, and protection strategies.
Mr. Barrett is the CEO of Bank of Tennessee in Johnson City. A native
of Kingsport, he attended Wake Forest University, earning a B.A. in
economics and an MBA before returning to Johnson City to begin his
career in banking. He has been with Bank of Tennessee for 25 years in
various roles, most recently CEO.
THURSDAY MARCH 27 | DAVID RAMSEY
The Lost Land of the Blue Ridge
Most every official map found of the southern Appalachian Mountains
designates that famous region as the Blue Ridge, including the
region’s mountainous eastern border counties of Tennessee.
Yet, these communities seem to have rejected their rightful and
economically advantageous Blue Ridge heritage. Mr. Ramsey has
explored this phenomenon and reveals the mystery of the “Lost Land
of the Blue Ridge.”
Mr. Ramsey is a regionally and nationally recognized outdoor
photographer and writer from Unicoi, TN whose work is frequently
published in the Johnson City Press. He has published a book titled
“Rocky Fork: Jewel of the Blue Ridge Wild,” highlighting his outstanding
skill with a camera.
TUESDAY, APRIL 1 | LAURA ELLIS
Northeast Tennessee Native Wildlife and Bays Mountain Park
Park Ranger Laura Ellis will present an overview of Bays Mountain Park
and Planetarium, the largest city owned park in Tennessee. She will
highlight educational programs available to visitors at Bays Mountain,
including the native wildlife of northeast Tennessee. The park is famous
for its animal habitats featuring wolves, bobcats, raptors and reptiles.
Ms. Ellis is a native of Carter County and has been a park ranger since
2023. She has an associate’s degree from Northeast State Community
College and a B.A. degree from ETSU.
THURSDAY, APRIL 3 | RON ROACH
Excellence in Appalachia: Forty Years of ETSU Service to a Remarkable Region
The ETSU Center of Excellence has become the leading center in
Appalachia, obtaining millions of dollars in grant funding to invest
in the region working with countless community partners. This has
produced a long list of research, scholarship and creative works to
help celebrate and preserve the rich culture and history of Appalachia,
as well as improving the quality of life in our communities. Current
successes, challenges, and opportunities facing the region will be
presented
Dr. Roach is the chair and professor of Appalachian Studies and
director of the Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and
Services at ETSU. Among his many accomplishments, he has
directed the Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative grant funded
program for the Appalachian Regional Commission in which students
and faculty carry out community-based projects. He has had multiple
publications in books and journals, and is considered a leading
authority of all things Appalachian. Born and raised in eastern North
Carolina, he was educated at North Carolina, Greensboro and Regent
University in Virginia.
NO CLASS MEETING AT FOOD CITY ON TUESDAY, APRIL 8 OR
THURSDAY, APRIL 10. ON TUESDAY, APRIL 8, ALL WHO ARE INTERESTED CAN MEET AT 207
N. BOONE STREET, JOHNSON CITY AT 10:00 A.M. FOR A TOUR OF THE
JOHNSON CITY RAILROAD EXPERIENCE.
Paid by ACL for members.
Please choose this workshop on the registration page, or when
registering online.
TUESDAY, APRIL 15 | MELISSA ROBERTS
Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) Museum
The BCM is the parent organization of the Birthplace of Country Music
Museum, the Rhythm and Roots Festival, and the WBCM Radio Bristol
station. The BCM is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, telling
the story of the 1927 Bristol Country Music heritage. Ms. Roberts
will share the BCM’s significance not only to the rural residents of
Washington County, but to the development of a dynasty of musicians
who contributed to our Appalachian culture. She will present some of
the history that made this music famous, explore a few of the unique
features of the museum, and perhaps share a bit of the early recordings.
Ms. Roberts is the newly appointed executive director of the BCM with
a background in nonprofit administration. She graduated from Emory
and Henry College and obtained a master’s degree from Louisiana State
University in that major
THURSDAY, APRIL 17 | KEITH JOHNSON
New on the Technology Horizon: Mechatronics
Mechatronics is an interdisciplinary field of engineering utilizing
foundational skills from mechanical engineering, control engineering,
and computer science using robotics, automation and control systems,
among others. This new technology has promoted considerable interest
among employers because of its practical applications. Dr. Johnson will
explain how this works in various settings and as a desirable field of
study.
A native of North Carolina, Dr. Johnson graduated from North Carolina A&T
State University and Ohio State University with undergraduate and graduate
engineering degrees. He joined the Department of Engineering Technology
at ETSU in 1997, and in addition to teaching he has been active on many
university committees, community boards and organizations. He is currently
department chair of Engineering Technology.
TUESDAY, APRIL 22 | MEGAL GUINN
The Community Resilience Academy and Post-Hurricane Helene
The ETSU Spatial Epidemiology and Medical Geography group and
the Tennessee Climate Office will discuss their proposed community
resilience academy and why this work is important post-Hurricane
Helene. Topics include hazard mitigation, community building and
planning for disasters, and weather-related events. Colleagues Drs.
Andrew Joyner and Matthew Beer will be joining the discussion.
Dr. Guinn is a professor of epidemiology and associate dean of
community and global engagement, Department of Biostatistics and
Epidemiology, College of Public Health at ETSU.
THURSDAY, APRIL 24 | RON WAITE and TIM ARCHER
History and Future of the Newspaper Industry and Six Rivers Media
The newspaper industry in the United States has undergone significant
transformations in recent decades, facing both challenges and
opportunities in an increasing digital world. The speakers will explore
the current state of national and local journalism and examine Six
Rivers Media, analyzing how they are navigating the shifting landscape
of news delivery. This discussion will help us understand the future
of newspapers and their continued relevance in the modern media
ecosystem.
Mr. Waite is the chief operating officer and group publisher of Six
Rivers Media. Throughout his career, he has played a pivotal role in
shaping content and sales strategies while preserving the presence of
local print newspapers.
Mr. Archer is a lifelong resident of Kingsport and is beginning his 46th
year with Six Rivers Media. He serves as general manager, bringing
decades of hands-on experience to his leadership role.
TUESDAY, APRIL 29 | MARAT MOORE
Safety First: Women Miners as Activists on Mine and Safety Issues
Ms. Moore will do a brief discussion of her book, Women in Mines:
Stories of Life and Work, which involved years of oral histories and
underground photography. In 1976 she went into the coal fields as
a newspaper reporter to document a double methane explosion
that killed 26 at the Scotia Mine in Harlan County. This included
finding undocumented women miners in the early 20th century. This
experience changed her life.
A Johnson County native, Ms. Moore earned a B.A. degree from Duke
University and an M.A. degree from St. John’s College before moving
to West Virginia and becoming a journalist, labor and strike organizer,
and author. She received the Max Steinbok award from the International
Labor Association for mine safety journalism, as well as several other
awards. She also writes a weekly column for the Jonesborough Herald
and Tribune.
THURSDAY, MAY 1 | SYLVIA CRUM
Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD): Building
Healthy Communities Through Agriculture
Since 1995, ASD has been bringing hope to 15 rural counties in VA, TN,
WV, KY and OH by empowering families to increase local food production
and distribution, and cultivating improved profitable opportunities.
One of their 12 projects is Farm to School, where fresh local produce
is provided to 4,000 students in southwest Virginia. Another is finding
local markets, breweries and restaurants to buy food from local farmers.
Education is the major focus of their success. ASD is located in Duffield,
Virginia, and welcomes visitors, donors and volunteers.
Ms. Crum is originally from Chicago where she majored in marketing at
Columbia College. She moved to this area in 1994 to serve in various
roles with the newly organized ASD. Currently she is responsible for
program development and communication.