Shepherd University Associate Professor of History Benjamin Bankhurst was announced as the Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities’ new director on Monday. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — On Monday morning, Shepherd University officially announced that the Ray and Madeline Johnston Chair in American History, Benjamin Bankhurst, would be the Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities’ new director. The center’s founding director, Sylvia Shurbutt, announced her retirement earlier this spring.

Back in 2015, Bankhurst first came to Shepherd University, after holding teaching and research appointments at the London School of Economics; the Institute of Historical Research; and Queen Mary, University of London. He had previously earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of New Mexico and master’s and doctoral degrees from King’s College, University of London.

According to Bankhurst, one of the things that drew him to apply for his previous position at Shepherd University was the Appalachian Studies program and the fact that one of his job responsibilities would be teaching Appalachian history classes within that program.

“Because of my research interests [related to Appalachia], I always wanted to come back to the states,” Bankhurst said in an interview on Tuesday. “I started as an early-Americanist, but my research interests focus on the trans-Appalachian frontier in the 18th century.”

” So, when this job came up, I jumped at it. There are very few Appalachian jobs, so when this came open, I was thrilled!

“Because I was the Appalachian historian here, I taught West Virginia history, which was part of Appalachian Studies’ curriculum. Over the years, I’ve taught Shenandoah Valley history and I’ve taught a combination of early American history touching on regional history,” Bankhurst said. “I have a longstanding relationship with Appalachian Studies.”

While many aspects of Appalachian Studies will remain the same, Bankhurst noted he does envision expanding its programming focuses to engage a modern, more diverse academic audience.

“The strength of the program is its interdisciplinarity,” Bankhurst said. “Yes, there will be a lot more history, but I will ensure that there will be a heavy visual art or literary focus as part of the program. We will still be reading a lot of literature, but we will be placing that literature in a firm, historical framework.”

Bankurst said that any changes being made under his leadership to the program won’t be apparent right away, as Shurbutt planned ahead months in advance, to ensure the change in leadership would go as smoothly as possible.

“In the fall, the program will remain largely literary, because of the Appalachian Writer-in-Residence program. We will continue to invite authors to campus, for sure,” Bankhurst said, noting these and the relationship with the One Book One West Virginia program will remain the same under his leadership.

However, special events, classes and the summer teacher institute will likely see some changes taking place in 2025.

“What you might start to see in the spring, might be a more heavy emphasis on two different areas. One, obviously, will be history,” Bankhurst said. “But secondarily, one thing I’m noticing about our students is that there’s a real desire to focus on ecology and conservation. We are uniquely placed within the state — given that we are not in coal country — to be able to explore these themes. And so, I think we will see a lot more partnerships with regional partners, like hopefully the Audubon Society and the National Conservation Training Center, in order to build programs around those environmental themes. There is an appetite, certainly around Shepherdstown and Jefferson County and the Eastern Panhandle, for more of that sort of programming.”

According to Bankhurst, his passion for Appalachian Studies is rooted in his own Appalachian roots. His Scots-Irish ancestors owned a farm in Pocahontas County, before selling it to seek out new opportunities around the time of World War II. Because of his ancestry and professional contacts in Scotland and Ireland, Bankhurst anticipates future programming and study abroad opportunities will highlight these connections.

While many cutbacks are already being made due to low enrollment at universities across the country, Bankhurst does not see that happening to the Appalachian Studies program.

“Appalachian Studies is something that piques interest and distinguishes us from our regional competitors,” Bankhurst said. “As we face this national enrollment crisis, it’s going to be the Appalachian Studies program and the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War and the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education that will mark us out as something that is unique for students. Even beyond the number of students that those specific programs will attract, it adds to our national and international reputation.”