50th Anniversary

December 17, 2003

In 1954, the local residents of Southwest Virginia made their case to the University of Virginia for establishing a college in Wise, Virginia. The Commonwealth of Virginia supported the cause, and with the help of local citizens, The University of Virginia's College at Wise (formerly Clinch Valley College) was born.

In keeping with Thomas Jefferson's founding vision of The University of Virginia, the College's primary concern was education in the liberal arts and sciences. Its ultimate goal was to prepare students to be full participants in a democratic society and the world at large. Its mission was to prepare them for lifelong learning; professional careers in fields such as business, teaching and healthcare; and graduate study by fostering development of the ideas, insights, values, competencies, and behavior of liberally educated persons.

Today, that remains the College's mission, and we remind ourselves of it with the theme of this 50th anniversary year. It's a simple but powerful reminder of the legacy of Thomas Jefferson: "The dream lives on.”

Throughout this anniversary year, we will look back at how UVa-Wise has advanced individual scholars and the society in which they live and work. And we will look ahead at how it should continue to prepare students with knowledge to share with the world over the next 50 years.

On behalf of Chancellor Ernest H. Ern and the 50th Anniversary Committee, we welcome you to our celebration. We invite you to become actively involved in both the commemoration of our past and the consideration of our future.

Sincerely,

Dawneda Williams and Roger Viers
C0-Chairs, the 50th Anniversary Coordinating Council

UVa-Wise Celebrates 50 Years

The University of Virginia's College at Wise

was founded fifty years ago thanks to the

determination of many extraordinary individuals. They dared to dream about building a college on what had been the county poor farm.

Our "three Wise men" led the efforts to secure funding and support for the institution then known as Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia. The first class of 109 students began their studies on September 20, 1954, a mere nine months after the dream originated in discussions on a snowy December 17 evening at the Wise Inn.

Today, the dream lives on in the impressive accomplishments of our students, alumni, faculty and staff and in the steadfast support of our friends. The College, now home to 1,700 students and alma mater to 7,200 alumni, is recognized as one of the top public liberal arts colleges in the nation.

History

On a snowy December 17 evening fifty years ago, the first conversations about establishing a college in Wise were held between Mary Thompson, Lois Tracy, and Sam Crockett, the University's extension agent.

From these early discussions at the Wise Inn, a committee comprised of William Thompson, Fred Greear, Kenneth Asbury, and Senator M. Melville Long was formed to pursue the dream. Asbury, Greear and Thompson, the "three Wise men," later traveled to Richmond tosecure support from University of Virginia President Colgate Darden and funding from the Virginia General Assembly. In January 1954, the General Assembly, led by Delegate Orby Cantrell and Senator Long, approved $5,000 for an experiment in higher education in Southwest Virginia.

In April of that year, the Wise County Board of Supervisors offered the county poor farm property as the location for the College. Organizations and individuals in the county donated $5,000 in money and equipment so the College could hold opening convocation on September 13, 1954. Classes

began on September 20 for the 109 full-time and  116 part-time students.

First Advisory Committee: Included in the picture are the "three Wise Men" and other
early supporters of the College. Left to right, Glenn Williams, Glenn Phillips,
J.J. Kelly, Hagan Richmond, Senator M. Melville Long, Kenneth Asbury,
William Thompson, and Fred Greear. Not Pictured, Delegate James L. Camblos.