Presented by Jonathan A. Noyalas

“The Backbone” will explore the life of professor James Hott Ruebush, the first and only general manager of the Shenandoah Collegiate Institute. In addition to exploring Ruebush’s nearly half-century connection with Shenandoah, first as a student then as professor and administrator, this presentation will explore other facets of Ruebush’s life including his political career in Virginia and work in publishing.

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MEET JONATHAN A. NOYALAS

Jonathan A. Noyalas is director of Shenandoah University’s McCormick Civil War Institute and a professor in the history department. He is the author or editor of fourteen books, including most recently Slavery and Freedom in the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War Era (University Press of Florida, April 2021). Additionally, Noyalas has authored more than 100 articles, essays, reviews and chapters in a variety of scholarly and popular publications. Noyalas has consulted on various public history projects with organizations such as the National Park Service, American Battlefield Trust, and National Geographic and has appeared on C-SPAN’s American History TV on numerous occasions, NPR’s “With Good Reason” and PCN. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his scholarship and teaching including the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia’s Outstanding Faculty Award (the highest honor which can ever be bestowed upon anyone teaching in Virginia), Shenandoah University’s Teaching Excellence Award for the First Year Seminar and Shenandoah University’s Wilkins Award.