From the Hills and Hollers: O PIONEER with Dr. Tiffany Arnold

Viewing: January 29,2026

Watch Trailer Director: Clara Lehman, Jonathan Lacocque

Join us Thursday, January 29th for a “pioneering” award-winning documentary as our Appalachian Stories Film Series continues!

This event will include a pre-show presentation from Dr. Tiffany Arnold

Admission is FREE – Tickets are required

About the film

The word “pioneer” is well-known to anyone who has grown up in America – it conjures up visions of hearty, self-reliant travelers who braved the wilderness in covered wagons to carve out a homestead and put down roots where none had gone before. The term has, thus, come to signify a person who finds a new way to do or understand a particular thing. That being said, we often think of “pioneers” as special people with special abilities or insights that allow them to change society on a grand scale. The documentary O Pioneer, however, tries to push against this notion by featuring three humble West Virginians who have discovered the pioneering spirit within themselves – a blacksmith, a seamstress, and a hospital chaplain – each uncovering the courage and determination to overcome the challenges they face in their daily lives. This poetic and moving tale of human resolve will make you examine your own life and determine whether you have what it takes to blaze a new trail to a better tomorrow for yourself.

About the speaker

Dr. Tiffany Arnold is an Associate Professor of Instruction in the College of Health Sciences and Professions where she coordinates the Appalachian Studies Undergraduate and Graduate Certificate Programs. Additionally, she teaches Public Health and Environmental Health Courses Focused on Appalachian studies.

One of Dr. Arnold’s interests is the way that the Appalachian Region is portrayed in films and in the media, and she draws upon this interest to help others think critically about their own perceptions of the region and most importantly, where these ideas come from. . She will be discussing the Jack Spadaro Documentary award-winning film O Pioneer and why this film portrays Appalachian spirit in a beautiful way during a challenging time.