The Rice Lecture Series began in 2009 in honor of noted historian Otis K. Rice, who served at WVU Institute of Technology from 1957 to 1987. Dr. Rice chaired the history department from 1962 to 1984 and served as Dean of the School of Human Studies from 1984 to 1987.
A student of Dr. Thomas Clark, Professor Rice received his Ph. D. from the University of Kentucky and went on to become one of the most recognized scholars in the field of West Virginia history. His many scholarly contributions include The Allegheny Frontier: West Virginia Beginnings, 1730-1830 and the highly popular The Hatfields and The McCoys.
Additionally, Dr. Rice proved to be a dedicated teacher who produced important textbooks on state history for both public schools and higher education Popular among his students, Professor Rice influenced and guided the academic pursuits of several young historical scholars. His many contributions to the scholarly study of West Virginia received formal recognition in 2003 when Dr. Rice became the state’s first Historian Laureate.
Speakers and Topics:
2009: Dr. William Jones, University of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. “With Dust in His Throat: Miner-writer B. L. Coombes (1893-1974) and the history of Coal Mining in South Wales.”
2010: Dr. Ken Hechler, West Virginia politician and collegiate professor. “Behind the Scenes of America History.”
