Dr. Dennis Branch Documentary To Be Shown At WSCC

One of Newport’s all time most famous residents will be honored as part of Black History Month as Walters State Community College hosts the 15th annual Mildred Haun Conference Feb. 2-3 on the Morristown Campus. The conference will kick off with a showing of the documentary, “An Extraordinary Man: Dr. Dennis Branch of Newport.” The film was made by the late Dr. Marc McClure, who a professor of history at Walters State at the time of his death. The documentary spotlights Dr. Branch, who spent 50 years caring for the health of people in Newport and Cocke County. The documentary shows how Dr. Branch overcame racial barriers to become a beloved member of the community. The film will be shown at 4:30 p.m. on Friday at Walters State. Admission is free for the conference which will host leaders in Appalachian literature, culture and scholarship.