Glenville State College (West Virginia) Fine Arts Center art and music wings dedicated in honor of Gillespie, McKinney | WV News
GLENVILLE, W.Va. (WV Information) — The music and artwork systems at Glenville Point out University have been housed in the College’s Fine Arts Centre for about 30 several years. Now, two sections of the constructing have been named in recognition of the pair who assisted make the facility a reality.
Plaques now adorn the Gillespie Division of Art and the McKinney Division of Audio. The two regions are named in honor of Professor Emeritus Dr. H. Gary Gillespie and Professor of New music John McKinney. The naming took spot at a shock ceremony on Oct. 12, ahead of the once-a-year New music Fest concert.
Gillespie graduated from Glenville Point out in 1959. He also retains a master’s diploma in English, a master’s diploma in art history, and a Ph.D. in Comparative Arts. He returned to GSC in 1967 where he taught English and fantastic arts right up until 2000. He chaired GSC’s Division of Good Arts from 1978-1996. A prolific recruiter, Gillespie helped information the good arts software as a result of a time period of progress and lobbied point out decision-makers for a new good arts facility at Glenville State. He was also the chairperson who originally hired McKinney.
“The accomplishment was not all on me. I could in no way have done any of this without John McKinney,” Gillespie explained. “John would choose care of every little thing even though I was out recruiting. I was more of the motion dude, whilst he was extra of a planner and the driving-the-scenes male.
“You’re in excellent arms in this setting up with Jason Barr and Lloyd Bone. I’m pretty pleased that everything’s continued on with out my assistance — I under no circumstances imagined that would be doable,” Gillespie included jokingly.
McKinney graduated from Glenville Point out in 1973 before continuing his instruction at West Virginia University. He invested quite a few years as band director at Calhoun County Significant University and was the drum line instructor and coordinator at West Virginia College. He returned to his alma mater in 1982. About the a long time at GSC, he has led the marching band, percussion ensemble, and carried out other administrative responsibilities, in addition to instructing.
“Throughout my time right here I’ve identified or labored with ten presidents, various faculty and employees, hundreds of students — it is been an incredible journey,” McKinney reported. “People question how I have been ready to be in this article all these years…I begun below and the persons who I taught sent their children listed here to find out from me, and then their grandchildren occur here…and it is just the very best time of my existence.”
“These two men have experienced a incredible influence on the fantastic arts at Glenville State School and we are pleased to identify their contributions,” explained GSC President Dr. Mark A. Manchin. “In addition to instilling their really like for the arts in many Pioneers in excess of the a long time, Dr. Gillespie and Mr. McKinney have also elevated Glenville State School with their abilities, challenging perform, and perseverance.”