Architectural historian and author John C. Allen Jr. was awarded an honorary doctor of letters degree at Davis & Elkins College’s 104th commencement ceremony on May 18. Making the presentation were chancellor and president-elect Dr. Michael Mihalyo and president G.T. ‘Buck’ Smith. Allen is the author of “Uncommon Vernacular: The Early Houses of Jefferson County, West Virginia, 1735-1835,” in which he profiles 250 separate buildings, ranging from plantation homes of George Washington’s family to the log houses of simple farmers. The Jefferson County resident is a graduate of Tulane University and is a member of the Society of Architectural Historians and the Vernacular Architectural Forum. During the commencement ceremony, 121 students received their degrees. Smith, who is retiring on July 1, delivered the commencement address.
Related to the Presbyterian Church, Davis & Elkins College is located in Elkins, 2 hours east of Charleston, 3 hours south of Pittsburgh and 4 hours west of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit the College website at www.dewv.edu or call 304-637-1243.
Allen receiving his award at Davis & Elkins College commencement.
