United Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts will speak to West Virginia University honors students as part of a History of Appalachian Culture class Wednesday, March 30.

The talk,The UMWA and Positive Change in Appalachia,begins at 7:30 p.m. in G24 Eiesland Hall and is open to the public.

Roberts, who grew up in Kanawha County, is a sixth-generation coal miner. He became president of the UMW in the fall 1995, having served as vice president of the union since 1982.

In addition to serving as UMW president, Roberts has been involved with the Committee for Employer Support of Veteran Employment, West Virginia Employment Opportunities and Economic Development Commission and the National Council of the Holmes Safety Association. In 1996, he was appointed to serve as a member of the WVU Institute for Labor Studies and Research Advisory Board.

Roberts is a 1987 graduate of West Virginia Technical College, now the WVU Institute of Technology. He received an honorary doctorate in humanities from WVU Tech in 1997.

The senior seminar, History of Appalachian Culture, examines many aspects of our region, including lumber, glass, music, literature, recreation and, of course, coal mining and mining union history,said lecturer Truett Rogers.Following in the line of people like John L. Lewis, UMW President Cecil Roberts will speak to the issues of mine unions in West Virginia. Our class of 13 senior honors is honored to have him.