Arthurdale homesteader descendant Glenn Luzier shows Fairmont State University student Tony Marchese a feature article about Arthurdale in a 1934 edition of the New York Times.
Fairmont State University student Tony Marchese is using Arthurdale’s unique story for a chance to win a ten-thousand dollar college scholarship from Fox News Channel. Marchese, a junior oral communications major from Berkeley County, visited Arthurdale in January to shoot video and conduct interviews for the Fox News College Challenge journalism competition. The final product: a three-minute long-form TV news piece about Arthurdale and how its history remains relevant today. “I think it’s an important story, especially considering the current state of our economy,†said Marchese.
Marchese visited Arthurdale and met with homesteader descendant Glenn Luzier who described his experiences growing up in historic Arthurdale. Luzier also gave Marchese access to his collection of photographs, news-clippings, and other artifacts for the piece. Marchese said he first learned about Arthurdale while researching a theatre piece he and some other students performed for last year’s New Deal Festival. “I learned a great deal from the research we did, but what I found most interesting is the community that exists there today.  Even after all these years, it’s clear that Arthurdale is still a close-knit community,†said Marchese.
The nationwide competition not only gives journalism and communications students the chance to win a scholarship, they also receive consideration for internships and entry-level jobs with the cable news channel. Fairmont State University also stands to win a ten-thousand dollar donation to its general scholarship fund should Marchese’s entry win first place. There’s no word on when Fox News will announce the winners. For more information about the Fox News College Challenge, visit:  www.foxnews.com/collegechallenge/
