UVa-Wise, Russell County Industrial Development Authority announce opening of Southwest Virginia Technology Development Center in Lebanon

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise and the Russell County Industrial Development Authority are pleased to announce the opening of the Southwest Virginia Technology Development Center in Lebanon. Registration is now open for spring 2008 courses at the Center, which also offers 32,000 square feet of meeting space for regional businesses and organizations.

“Operating this center gives us the opportunity to continue UVa-Wise’s role in supporting economic development in the region,” said Shannon Blevins, director of economic development for UVa-Wise and director of the Southwest Virginia Technology Development Center. “Through our relationships with key educational organizations throughout the area, we will provide innovative and effective educational programs that ‘hit the spot’ when it comes to satisfying the needs of our employers.”

The Center will provide access to technological education opportunities necessary for the region’s emerging information technology industry, as well as development opportunities for area professionals – two cornerstones of the Center’s mission.

"We're honored to have the relationship we have with UVa-Wise,” said Harry Rutherford, chairman of the Russell County Industrial Development Authority. “This center will be a tremendous asset to the citizens of Southwest Virginia under the direction of Shannon Blevins.”

Spring 2008 courses offered by UVa-Wise at the Lebanon center will begin Jan. 15. Those interested should register for classes by Friday, Jan. 11. Those interested should register for classes by Friday, Jan. 11. For more information, contact Shannon Blevins at 276-889-8184 or by e-mail at srb8q@uvawise.edu.

Available evening courses include:

• Programming in Java (COSC 222), 3 credit hours
• Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction (COSC 326), 3 credit hours
• Data Structures (COSC 281), 3 credit hours
• Project Management (BUAD 395), 3 credit hours

The Center’s 32,000 square feet of high-tech meeting space includes video conferencing, wireless high-speed Internet access and spacious rooms. Rooms available include conference rooms, boardrooms, distance education classrooms with video conferencing capabilities, interview/small meeting rooms, a reception area and an executive auditorium. Beverage and catering services are available by request.

The Southwest Virginia Technology Development Center is located at 141 Highland Drive in Lebanon.

For more information about the Center’s meeting space or spring courses, contact Krissi Lee at 276-889-8181 or by e-mail at klee@uvawise.edu.

The only branch campus of the University of Virginia, UVa-Wise is ranked among the nation’s top ten public liberal arts colleges by U.S. News and World Report. UVa-Wise offers Virginia's only undergraduate degree in software engineering, among 28 other degrees and professional programs in the liberal arts tradition of Thomas Jefferson.

Posted January 7, 2008