CONCORD CHARLIE PREDICTS EARLY SPRING – LORI MCKINNEY HONORED
CONTACT: Nicole Smith, PR Manager
Concord University Office of Advancement
PO Box 1000, Athens, WV 24712
(304) 384-6312
nlsmith@concord.edu
www.concord.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 2, 2024
CONCORD CHARLIE PREDICTS EARLY SPRING – LORI MCKINNEY HONORED
ATHENS, W.Va. – Concord Charlie called President Kendra Boggess on her cell phone on this Groundhog Day morning to tell her he did not see his shadow—we can expect an early spring!
Nearly 80 guests gathered in University Point’s Pais Fellowship Hall this morning to enjoy Concord University’s annual breakfast buffet, to hear Charlie’s prediction, and to honor Lori McKinney, this year’s Grand Groundhog Watcher.
Lori McKinney, co-founder and administrator of The RiffRaff Arts Collective, is primarily a performing and recording artist (vocals, drums, dance, spoken word), with a B.A. in Music Theatre from James Madison University. Lori is also a co-founder of Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival, a weekend long, multicultural immersion in the creative arts, and All Together Arts Week, which aims to unite artists and arts organizations. She has been instrumental in fostering a creative renaissance in her hometown, bringing people from all over the world to the small community of Princeton, WV.
The Concord Charlie tradition was originated in 1978 by the late Professor R.T. “Tom” Hill. As chairman of both the geography department and the Appalachian Studies program at Concord, Hill started the Groundhog Day Breakfast as a means to celebrate a bit of Appalachian heritage and highlight the program.
Lori McKinney, co-founder and administrator of The RiffRaff Arts Collective and this year’s Grand Groundhog Watcher, pictured with Concord Charlie at Concord University’s 2024 Groundhog Day breakfast
Concord University President Dr. Kendra S. Boggess pictured with Concord Charlie at the annual Groundhog Day breakfast
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Persons with disabilities should contact Nancy Ellison, 1-304-384-6086 or 1-800-344-6679 extension 6086, if special assistance is required for access to an event scheduled by the University on campus. Concord University may take pictures at these events for publicity purposes.
