1. Home
  2. News
  3. Campus Employee Receives History Hero Award
Categories
Alumni
Faculty and Staff
Campus Employee Receives History Hero Award
Tue Feb 9, 2016


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 8, 2016

For More Information:
Glenville State College
Public Relations Department
(304) 462-4115

Jason Gum History Hero Award West Virginia State Archives and History Commission Chairman Harold Forbes, West Virginia History Hero Award recipient and GSC employee Jason Gum, Delegate Peggy Donaldson-Smith, and Department of Education and the Arts Cabinet Secretary Kay Goodwin

GLENVILLE, WV - Jason Gum, a Glenville State College reference librarian and archivist, was recognized as a ‘WV History Hero’ during the West Virginia Division of Culture and History’s annual West Virginia History Day in Charleston.

The Gilmer County Historical Society, in its nominating information describe Gum as a “youthful and energetic college archivist” who “breathed new enthusiasm into the study of Gilmer County, Glenville State College, and West Virginia veterans’ history since becoming the school’s full-time archivist/historian in 2008.” Of significant note was his work to interview and record more than 150 veterans as part of the Veterans Legacy Project at GSC. Additionally, he helped write a book and produce a film about the veterans who were interviewed.

Gum, a 2005 Glenville State College alumnus, is the chair of the Program Committee for the Gilmer County Historical Society and has presented programs on historical document preservation and other archival techniques that have improved the society’s library and archives. “I was humbled to be nominated for this award because many of the people receiving awards this year had put decades into preserving history. I’m a relative newcomer to the work compared to some of them, so it was definitely unexpected and surprising,” said Gum.

According to the WV Division of Culture and History, History Hero awards have been given for the past two decades.  Recipients are individuals who go beyond the call of duty to ensure the success of local history, genealogy, preservation, and museum organizations. The contributions of all History Heroes have been recognized during History Day programs. These recipients have been recognized for their grassroots efforts, years of dedicated behind-the-scenes services, or for a significant contribution such as preserving a site or collection, or publishing a work of family or local history.

Share