The Darden Society of The University of Virginia’s College at Wise added 26 new members during its induction ceremony on April 28 in the Cantrell Banquet Hall.

The college’s oldest honor society, the Darden Society is named for Colgate W. Darden Jr., former governor of Virginia and former president of the University of Virginia, whose belief in higher education and love for Southwest Virginia brought him to lend support essential to the founding and growth of UVa-Wise. The late E. L. “Buck” Henson Jr., professor emeritus of history, founded the Darden Society in 1964.

Darden Society membership is based upon high scholarly achievement and intellectual promise. Sophomores become eligible for membership by completing their first three semesters in residence at the college with uniformly superior records. Faculty members of their respective major departments must nominate juniors and seniors.

Inductees for the 2010-2011 academic year are:

VIRGINIA

Big Stone Gap 

Zachary Eugene Holcomb

Melissa Renee Jones

Clinchco

Tyler Mark Mullins

Clintwood

Samantha Rae Robinson

Coeburn

Jeremy Jordan

Joshua Lee

Kelly Odom

Justin Dane Palmer

Jesse Duane Smith

Fries

Megan Funk

Lebanon

Todd Musick

Marion

Megan Michelle Buchanan

Nickelsville

Robyn Gena Dougherty

Norton

Melanie Addison

Nathan Andrew Jones

Jennifer Partin

Pound

Nayab Azhar Chowhan

Potomac Falls 

Jessica Ruby Shartouny

St. Stephens Church

Bryant O’neal Gray

Vienna

Anne-Michele Maher

Wise

Cassandra Dowdy

Patience Marie Gardner

Ya Chang Liu

Christopher Gerin Mullins

Tanessa Lynn Trivett

KENTUCKY

Cromona

Kristin Savannah Bentley