John B. Stephenson

The Night Will Come and Go

John was also a scholar of the region and was active in numerous organizations and programs associated with the Southern Appalachian region. He wrote numerous articles, chapters, and reports for a variety of sociological and educational journals and was the author of four books. As president and in retirement, he remained an active scholar and, when he died, was in the midst of applying for a Mellon grant to continue his Ford and Shiloh studies. Earlier this year he was appointed by Governor Jones as the chair of the Kentucky Appalachian Task Force, a post he relinquished upon his retirement from Berea. One of the editorial tributes to John following his death referred to the presidency ofBerea College as one of the most challenging jobs of the commonwealth. I have just begun to appreciate fully what those challenges are. In trying to meet those challenges, I am indebted to John Stephenson for all that he did to make Berea College one that serves well its students and region. Those of us at Berea College and those in the Appalachian region who knew him will miss him dearly.

A Transitional Word

This special double issue of Appalachian Heritage represents the continuation of a fine publishing tradition that began in 1973 when Albert Stewart conceived the idea and gave birth to a new regional literary journal. Published first at Alice Lloyd College and then independently at Hindman with the help of the Hindman Settlement School, Appalachian Heritage has now found a home at Berea College.