The spirit of the miner is the spirit of a man who works hard and the spirit of a man who makes life, as we know it, possible, officials said Thursday.
To celebrate the spirit of the miner and all that miners do for us, Marshall University sponsors an awards gala each year at Tamarack in Beckley. This year’s award ceremony honored miners and educators alike.
“Marshall is very invested in this event,” President Stephen Kopp said. “It’s a celebration of life and a lifestyle that is so important to this nation. We’re celebrating the heritage that has defined West Virginia in many ways. If you think back to the days of the Industrial Revolution, the path of the miner was the path to revolution.
“Coal has served us through two world wars. We often take it for granted. We often find many parts of the world are unreliable when it comes to electricity. That’s what most of the world deals with. We’re very blessed to have coal and coal miners.”