(WVVA) - Lou Stoker joins a distinguished list of community and state leaders who have served as Concord University's Grand Groundhog Watcher. Following is the complete list, by year:
2013, Ms. Lou Stoker
Volunteer, playwright, actress, community leader
2012, Mr. Pete Ballard
Artist, educator, Concord alumnus
2011, Mr. Scott A. Martin
Film industry personality – actor, director, producer, started Sorry Dog Productions in 1998
2010, Ms. Beverly Wellman
Executive Director, Retired, Mercer County Convention & Visitors Bureau
2009, Gen. Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong, USAF (Ret.)
United States Air Force General (Retired); Executive Director, Appalachian Leadership and Education Foundation (ALEF)
2008, Mr. Everett Lilly (deceased)
West Virginia bluegrass artist and inductee into the International Bluegrass Music Association's Hall of Honor
2007, Ms. Barbara Hawkins
Political correspondent, columnist, investigative reporter
2006, Ms. Kate Long
Writer, bluegrass musician
2005, Mr. Hershel Woodrow "Woody" Williams
Congressional Medal of Honor recipient
2004, Dr. Ancella Bickley
West Virginian and African American educator, historian and author
2003, Dr. Jay Banks
Retired physician and author, lives in Union, W.Va., with his wife, "Marty"
2002, Dr. J. Douglas Machesney
Concord's Vice President for Development from 1986 through 2002
2001, Mr. Andy Ridenour, Mr. Larry Groce
Ridenour is originally from Washington, D.C.; Groce is originally from Texas; and both are with West Virginia Public Radio
2000, Mr. Andrew Paterno
President and Chief Executive Officer of Acordia Mid-Atlantic, a Concord alumnus and Kanawha County native
1999, Mr. Jerry Jarrell
Retired Director of the National Hurricane Center, a Concord alumnus and Raleigh County native
1998, Recent Concord Retirees
Harold Bailey, John Seago, Paul Morgan (deceased), Bill Ryan, Bill Wells, Beryle Santon (deceased), Violet Martin (deceased), Kevin O'Sullivan, Ed Lowe, Dale Geiger, Carl Chapman, Shelva Rarick, Bernard Kiernan (deceased), Karl Fezer, Kenneth Baker
1997, Dr. J. Elliott Blaydes, Jr.
Retired Bluefield eye specialist and philanthropist
1996, Mr. Frankie Ferrante (deceased)
Owned Mercer County restaurant, Frankie's La Salute, and was an active civic and community leader
1995, Mr. Thomas Conlin
Former West Virginia Symphony Artistic Director and Conductor
1994, Ms. Denise Giardina
McDowell County native, successful novelist focusing on the vibrant culture of the coalfields
1993, Ms. Katharine Tierney (deceased)
Bluefield civic leader and longtime friend of Concord
1992, Ms. Jean Battlo
Published poet and playwright from McDowell County
1991, Ms. Nelrose Richards Price (deceased)
Retired Registrar of Concord, 41 years of service
1990, Dr. James Bailey (deceased)
Co-founder of Veterinary Associates of Princeton and a Mercer County civic leader
1989, Reverend Harry Christie (deceased)
Former pastor of Princeton Presbyterian Church
1988, Mr. R. T. Hill (deceased)
Father of the Concord Groundhog Day Breakfast and former Professor of Geography at Concord
1987, Mr. Edward J. Cabbell
Appalachian scholar, founder of the John Henry Foundation
1986, Mr. Ken Hechler
Former W.Va. Secretary of State and former Congressman
1985, George A. Daugherty
"The Earl of Elkview," a prominent Charleston attorney
1984, Dr. Charles Kenneth Sullivan
Executive Director of the West Virginia Humanities Council
1983, Mr. James Dent (deceased)
Humor columnist and cartoonist for The Charleston Gazette
1982, Mr. Don West (deceased)
Director of the Appalachian South Folklife Center, Pipestem, W.Va.
1981, Dr. E. Meade McNeill (deceased)
Professor of Biology at Concord
1980, Ms. Shirley Donnelly (deceased)
Historian and columnist for Beckley Newspapers, Inc.
1979, Mr. Jim Comstock (deceased)
Editor of The West Virginia Hillbilly
1978, Mr. A. James Manchin (deceased)
Former Secretary of State and State Treasurer of West Virginia
