UVa-Wise vice chancellor Sim Ewing named Citizen of the Year

After quietly serving The University of Virginia’s College at Wise and the Wise County and City of Norton area for more than 25 years outside the spotlight, Sim Ewing has earned the Wise County Chamber of Commerce’s 2007 Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award.

Ewing, who currently serves as vice chancellor for finance and government relations at UVa-Wise, was honored at the Chamber’s 54th annual dinner and gala on Saturday, April 12.

“When I came to Wise County in 1982, I found two loves – my beautiful bride Glenda and this wonderful area,” Ewing said. “As this area continues to grow, it will be a shining star for the Commonwealth.”

Ewing has served UVa-Wise for 21 years, beginning his career at the College as an adjunct faculty member. Since that time, he has been a part of nine major expansion, addition and renovation projects.

During his tenure at UVa-Wise, Ewing’s presence in Richmond has increased the visibility of the College. He also oversaw the recent establishment of the Office of Economic Development, which is expected to intensify the College’s impact on the area. Since 1995, he has taken part in capital investments totaling $165 million at UVa-Wise.

“In addition to his enormous contributions to UVa-Wise, Sim is the ‘go-to’ guy for many organizations and policy makers throughout Southwest Virginia,” said UVa-Wise Chancellor David J. Prior. “He advocates and works tirelessly, often behind the scenes, for our entire region. Our UVa-Wise community congratulates him on this well-deserved, prestigious honor.”

In 1989, during his term as president-elect of the Wise County Chamber of Commerce, Ewing encouraged local governments to increase their funding to the struggling Chamber. Also, he worked with the City of Norton to double the size of the Chamber’s office.

Ewing was the manager for the Town of Wise for five years, during which he led the town to winning two Virginia Municipal League Achievement Awards and received an award for support of the town’s fire department. He also has served on the executive boards of 12 civic organizations and has worked quietly in the background with many nonprofit organizations, giving them advice to obtain financial stability.

He is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree. Ewing received a master’s degree in public administration from West Virginia University and has completed the University of Virginia’s Senior Executive Institute.

Ewing and his wife Glenda live in Wise. They have two daughters, Allison, who lives in Texas, and Kelsey, who attends Virginia Tech.

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 April 18, 2008