The Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Gender in Appalachia (CSEGA) is very pleased to have been able to host this conference. The Rockefeller Foundation for the Humanities has been our primary financial support since 1996 and we are thankful to them for the financial means with which to encourage and foster research on ethnicity and gender in Appalachia. Scott MacDougall and Lynn Szwaja of the Rockefeller Foundation have worked closely with us and were instrumental in our receipt of a second grant - a very rare occurrence. The funding under the second grant allowed us to bring in five more visiting scholars and allowed us to bring those scholars back to present Appalachia Wired: Webs of Diversity. Additional financial support from the Drinko Academy and Marshall University filled in the budget gaps.

The scholars, board members and staff of CSEGA are the key to our success. We've been blessed with people who thrive on collaborative work and who have strong commitments to this area of research. Every scholar was dynamic, helpful, creative and enthusiastic. We kept waiting for the "dud" - the difficult one - it never happened. They arrived as colleagues and left as friends. We've been blessed.

Three people have worked as the Administrative Assistant during our Rockefeller years. Mary Thomas got us up and running. Sharon Brescoach took over, but left to pursue her career in journalism. When she left, Mary returned. Mary moved on to the Appalachian Studies Association and Connie Leinen began her employment. These three have been more than staff-they have been the heart and soul of the Center--committed far beyond any normal expectations.

We've had many work study students and graduate assistants who've learned while they worked and worked (and worked hard) while learning. This year Janet Ping and Karen Clifton have more than earned the small stipend we pay them. Connie Leinen will tell you that this conference would not have happened without their help. She regards Janet and Karen as two of the biggest blessings in her life.

CSEGA's advisory board has been outstanding in their support of and assistance to our activities. For this conference, Sharon Brescoach and Karen Simpkins have been especially helpful.

Our web designer, Matthew Thornton of West Virginia Designs Internet Solutions Development, and our graphic artist, Stephanie Davis, were incredible. If you are reading this, it is because of their hard work and expertise.

The folks at Marshall University's Department of Computing Services worked closely with us. They answered questions, found solutions, and put the "wired" in the conference.

Speaking of the conference title - Carol Mason came up with it and we all loved it immediately.

There are a number of other people who made this work. The Music and Theater departments provided equipment for the staging of Revelations. Carolyn Miller in the Old Main Copy Center worked hard to get us stuff as quickly as possible. The folks at Sodexho and the International Café kept us fed. The Common Land Band serenaded us with their unique blend of music. There are too many others to name, but we hope we conveyed our appreciation throughout the process.

During this second grant, CSEGA has been run by three individuals. Lynda Ann Ewen, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology, and Shirley Lumpkin, Ph.D., Professor of English, served as Co-Directors. Linda Spatig, Ed.D., Professor of Educational Foundations, filled in as Co-Director while Dr. Lumpkin was on sabbatical. Each of them brought something very special to the CSEGA. Lynda Ann's enthusiasm and vision motivates success. Shirley's commitment to excellence ensures success. Linda joined us wholeheartedly for the semester, picked up the ball, and helped bring the Appalachian Studies Association office to Marshall.

In collaboration with the Appalachian Studies Association (ASA), an entity very supportive of CSEGA, Marshall received one of the prestigious National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) challenge grants. Gordon McKinney, President of ASA, was very supportive of our application and provided invaluable assistance in the writing of the grant. Click here for more information about the challenge grant.

This conference is our last project under Rockefeller Foundation for the Humanities funding. The NEH grant will allow CSEGA to broaden its mission and reach an even larger audience. Our NEH programming will not begin for a year or two - so, thank you for the blessings you've given to us and we'll see you when things get going again!

Warm regards,

The CSEGA Family