Ferrum College is proud to announce Associate Professor of Library Science, George Loveland, has been awarded the prestigious Harry Caudill Award. His book, Under the Worker's Caps was unanimously selected by three judges for the award, issued by Bookworm & Silverfish Bookstore in Wytheville, Virginia.

     Loveland's book, "addresses crucial issues of pollution and workers rights. It really is an in-depth investigation which is gutsy and pretty unflinching in its look at pretty much everyone involved." said George Brosi, Ed. of Appalachian Heritage.

     The Caudill award of a $2000 in books from inventory is made by Bookworm & Silverfish in Wytheville, Virginia and is awarded every two years. The award was created in April of 2000 to recognize outstanding investigative writing about Appalachian issues similar to Harry Caudill's Night Comes to the Cumberlands: hard-hitting, "against the grain" journalism or other published writing, according to Jim Presgraves, owner of the bookstore and award sponsor. Caudill, an eastern Kentucky attorney and author, was well respected in both fields. “As a bookseller,” said Presgraves, “I hope to recognize this type of writing.”

    Under the Workers' Caps is a true story set in Western North Carolina in the factory town of Canton. The story is told through the perspective of six men who organized, and through the union, were able to buy a paper mill factory. The mills, formerly operated by Champion International Corporation, are now known as Blue Ridge Paper Products, Inc. They employ around 2,500 people. It was considered one of the top ten employee-led buyouts in U-S history.

    "It truly is a David and Goliath story,” says Loveland, "it's a story where these men didn't have the degree to back them up, and were told they couldn't do it, but they pulled it off."

    Loveland hopes this book can serve as an inspiration to others, lessons for entire communities about what you can do when others seem to have control of your economic destiny.

    "It can be one model that people can turn to and consider when economic resources are threatening to shut down your community."

    Ferrum College is a four-year, private, co-educational, liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Ferrum offers a choice of nationally recognized bachelor’s degree programs at a cost well below the national average for private colleges. For more information on Ferrum, visit www.ferrum.edu.