AMHERST, N.Y. -- The history and culture surrounding the West Virginia mine wars of the early 1920s will be explored through images and music of the era at a 7:30 p.m. performance on April 2 in the Daemen College Wick Campus Center Social Room.

Activist, artist and folklorist Saro Lynch-Thomason will present the “West Virginia Mine Wars Show,” which will look at the 20-year battle for union and miners’ rights in West Virginia. The multi-media show will also examine the connection between traditional Appalachian culture, labor activism, coal mining, and the historical significance of Blair Mountain, where one of the largest civil uprisings in U.S. history took place and today is considered an endangered historic site.

Lynch-Thomason’s show will feature a narration of the story of the coal wars through first-person perspectives and period photographs. In addition, she will perform music from the era on a mountain dulcimer, a traditional instrument of Appalachia.

Literary and legal scholar Stanley Fish will be the keynote speaker for the 2014 Daemen College Academic Festival, an annual celebration of academic excellence showcased through student and faculty presentations, poster sessions, panel discussions, performances and other activities.

Considered one of the century’s most original and influential literary theorists and public intellectuals, Fish will give his address, “What Are Academics Free to Do?,” at 7 p.m. April 15 in the Wick Campus Center Social Room. Due to limited seating, reservations for the keynote address are encouraged by April 1 to speaker@daemen.edu.

Eleven years running, the Kenmore East High School once again was awarded top honor of Best Overall Delegation in the 2014 Model United Nations Competition held on March 18, 2014 at the University at Buffalo’s Knox Hall. 

The region’s largest Model United Nations competition is put on by the International Institute of Buffalo in cooperation with The University of Buffalo and the International Affairs Departments of local colleges and universities.  The highly competitive event attracts over 600 students from schools throughout Western New York and Northern Pennsylvania.