UVa-Wise faculty and alumni honored in awards ceremony

Award recipients Richard A. Davidson, Jerry W. Kilgore '83, W. Frederick McClellan '76 and J. Rex Baird

Two  graduates and two retired faculty  members  of  The University of  Virginia’s  College  at  Wise  will  be  honored  for  their  achievements  and service to  the  College  during  the  annual  Athletic  Hall  of Fame and  Alumni   Association  Recognition  Awards  Ceremony   to be held Saturday, Nov. 11.

The  Outstanding  Alumni  Award, which   recognizes   alumni   who  have achieved  substantial  professional  growth  and  advancement over an extended  period  of time, made significant  contributions   to  society  and  service  to  mankind, thus  reflecting extraordinary credit to the College.  The 2006 recipients are:

Jerry W. Kilgore ‘83

Outstanding Alumni Award

Jerry Kilgore is the first graduate of The University of Virginia’s College at Wise to be elected to an executive level position in the Commonwealth of Virginia, being elected to the position of Virginia Attorney General in 2002.  Kilgore is currently a partner in and chair of the law firm of Williams Mullen’s Multistate Corporate Compliance & Public Policy Group.  While serving as Attorney General, Kilgore oversaw the relationship between the office and the business community – including consumer issues, qui tam investigations, pharmaceutical issues, environmental inquiries, telecommunications and energy.

While serving as Virginia Attorney General, Kilgore successfully promoted over 100 pieces of legislation with the Virginia General Assembly.  Under his leadership, Virginia led the nation in tough new technology crime legislation, anti-gang initiatives, pro-business legislation like the Small Business Regulatory Relief Act and strengthened Virginia’s domestic violence laws.  Prior to his election as Attorney General, Kilgore served as Secretary of Public Safety. Kilgore received his law degree from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary in 1986.  He is married to Martha “Marty” Harless Kilgore ’87 and they have two children, Klarke and Kelsey.

W. Frederick McClellan ‘76

Outstanding Alumni Award

Fred McClellan has been a mover and shaker in his community since he was a young man.  Soon after graduation from college, McClellan immersed himself in community activities, joining several local community action groups, but he was especially committed to the Wise County/City of Norton YMCA.  He was honored for his work in 1983, when he received the Wise County Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year award. 

In 1993, McClellan co-founded the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance (BCMA) to bring national and international recognition to the people of the Southern Appalachian region, the musical and cultural heritage of the region, the region’s role in the development of country music, and the region’s influence on music around the world. To recognize and promote this tradition, the BCMA helped craft legislation in the Virginia General Assembly and the U.S. Congress, recognizing Bristol as the official Birthplace of Country Music.  The legislation also recognized BCMA as an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.  The BCMA served as the lead organization in the 2003 Smithsonian Folklife Festival featuring Appalachia.  McClellan served as the first President of the BCMA from 1994-1998 and returned as president in July 2005. Plans were unveiled in September for a new $9.5 million Birthplace of Country Music Cultural Heritage Center in downtown Bristol.  He has been president of Hillbilly Foods of Bristol since 1986.  Fred is married to Robin May McClellan ‘77 and they have three children: Jesame, Tai, and Seaton.

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes alumni and former employees of the College who have provided significant service to the Alumni Association, academics, athletics, and/or services to students, or other programs.  The 2006 recipients are:

J. Rex Baird

Distinguished Service Award

Rex Baird served with distinction on the faculty at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise for 30 years beginning in 1968 until his retirement in 1998.  He served as professor of biology and as chair of the department of Biology and Chair of the Division of Natural Sciences.  Upon his retirement he was bestowed the title of Professor Emeritus of Biology.  During his career, he taught at Washington & Lee University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, College of William & Mary, and Drexel High School.

Baird’s community service activities include serving on the Board of Governors at Wise General Hospital, Wise Kiwanis Club member, and the Botany Section of Virginia Academy of Science.  He served as a member of the Advisory Board of the Flora of Virginia Project.

Baird received the Distinguished Professor Award at UVa-Wise in 1996 and was listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.  He is currently serving as treasurer of the Poor Farm Society Board of Managers and was founding president of the Twinleaf Society.  He served on the Pro-Art Association Board for a number of years and is currently trustee emeritus.  Baird and his wife, Sally Smith Baird, have two sons; Jimmy and Donny; three grandchildren, Justin, Lindsay, and Shannon; and one great-grandson; Parker.

Richard A. Davidson

Distinguished Service Award

Richard Davidson dedicated his career to The University of Virginia’s College at Wise during forty years of service spanning 1965 to 2005. During those years, he served as teacher, administrator and advisor. Some of his positions included professor and chair of the Department of Education, Director of the Upward Bound, Dean of Students, Director of Athletics, Director of the Teacher Education and Summer School, Interim Director of Continuing Education, and Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence.  Upon retirement he was bestowed the title of Professor Emeritus of Education.

Davidson served as grand marshal at Commencement for a number of years and served on the Wise County School Board for 14 years.  He served previously on the UVa-Wise Foundation Board.

Davidson was recognized for his honorable service to students with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Service in 1988, the Harrison Award for Distinguished Professor in 2001, and he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame for Outstanding Support and Service in 2002.  He is a member of the Poor Farm Society, a charter member of the Twinleaf Society, and is on the Highland Cavalier Club Board.  He is married to Phyllis Davidson and they have one son, Rich, and a granddaughter, Emily.