Virginia Humanities at UVA-Wise is pleased to introduce its five inaugural advisory board members. These individuals bring to the new center a wealth of experience in program development, supporting the arts and humanities, and advocating for the preservation of Southwest Virginia’s rich culture.
Advisory board member Allison Linder holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Appalachian State University; a teaching certification in early childhood development from UVA-Wise; and a Master of Science degree in English Education from Emory and Henry University. She has worked with Virginia Intermont College, William King Museum of Art, and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Linder obtained grantwriting and management experience while employed at the regional YWCA. She currently works at Tate Law Office in Abingdon and is an active member of her community, volunteering with the Rotary Club, Arts Depot, and other service organizations.
Tauna Gulley, Professor of Nursing at the University of Pikeville, is also a UVA-Wise (Clinch Valley College) graduate and faculty alumna. She actively supports community health and regional economic development, serving on advisory boards for the Health Wagon, Dickenson County School Health, Appalachian Women’s Alliance, and the USDA’s Resource Committee in Virginia. Dr. Gulley co-authored Sister Bernadette Kenny’s memoir, which chronicles Kenny’s medical mission work and development of Southwest Virginia’s mobile health clinic, the Health Wagon.
Three additional advisory board members serve dual roles as consultants for humanities programming on the campus of UVA-Wise and for the larger regional grant program.
Professor Emeritus of History, Lucius Ellsworth, has a long and distinguished career in academia. He came to UVA-Wise as Vice Chancellor and Dean, having held previous faculty and administrative positions in Florida and Tennessee. He co-founded the Appalachian School of Law and became its founding President in 1997. In addition, he became a Board of Trustees member, and chairman, of the Appalachian College of Pharmacy. Ellsworth has served on numerous additional boards overseeing organizations devoted to the arts, healthcare, and regional economic development.
Amelia Harris is a retired professor of German and Spanish who served UVA-Wise as Dean of Academic Affairs and Assistant Provost for over twenty years. In those positions, Harris supervised Summer College, the Office of International Programs, the Peake Honors Program, Assessment, Undergraduate Research, Academic Programming, and Academic Events. She has served, or is currently serving, on boards for organizations promoting international education and women’s leadership in academia as well as Pro-Art and Symphony of the Mountains.
Bruce Wasem is Instructor of Kinesiology. For nearly twenty years Wasem coached football, becoming head coach in 2002 and retiring from that position eight years later. Wasem is an avid supporter of student life, regularly attending cultural and athletic events. He currently serves as President of the Board of Managers for UVA-Wise’s Poor Farm Society, a scholarship program, and holds memberships with dozens of professional associations and organizations dedicated to promoting the sciences, arts, culture, and social justice.
Virginia Humanities at UVA-Wise is seeking additional advisory board members, with the only qualifications being enthusiasm for the humanities and residence in the service area. If interested, please contact Regional Center Coordinator Jinny Turman at jt8zn@uvawise.edu.
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