Five UVa-Wise alumni to be honored Saturday

Five graduates 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. 5.

Sarah J. Pilkenton, a 1997 summa cum laude graduate of UVa-Wise, will receive the Outstanding Young Alumni Award, which recognizes alumni who have achieved substantial professional growth and achievement within 10 years of receiving their degrees. Pilkenton earned bachelor’s degrees in both chemistry and mathematics before beginning her doctoral study at Purdue University, where she completed a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry in 2002. She has published research articles in several peer reviewed journals including NMR in Biomedicine and the Journal of Physical Chemistry B and contributed a chapter in the book, Environmental Catalysis. A presenter at several national conferences and local symposia, Pilkenton is currently an assistant professor of chemistry at Emmanuel College, a private liberal arts college in Boston.

Lewey K. Lee, a 1964 graduate of the College, will receive the Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes alumni and former employees of UVa-Wise who have provided significant service to the Alumni Association, academics, athletics, and/or services to students, or other College programs. A dedicated member of the Alumni Association for nearly 40 years, Lee was instrumental in raising funds for the purchase and renovation of Alumni Hall and has served as chair of many alumni activities, including the longstanding alumni fundraiser, the Cavalier Alumni $elebration. Lee is a member of UVa-Wise Society of Alumni Presidents, a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and vice-president of the UVa-Wise Foundation Board. A co-founder of Lee and Phipps, PC Law Offices in Wise and Clintwood, Lee completed his bachelor’s degree at Lincoln Memorial University, his master’s degree at East Tennessee State University, and his law degree at Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law.

Larry Joe Hill, Fred L. Ramey, Jr. and Teresa K. “Terry” Vencil will each receive the Outstanding Alumni Award, which recognizes alumni who have achieved substantial professional growth and advancement and made significant contributions to society and service to fellow man.

Larry Joe Hill’s 39-year career with Wise County Public Schools includes service as a classroom teacher, principal, elementary supervisor, director of elementary education, director of instruction, and, finally as assistant superintendent until his retirement in 2002. A 1962 graduate of the College, Hill completed his bachelor’s degree at Lincoln Memorial University and his master’s degree and education specialist degree from the University of Virginia. During his educational career, Hill served as president of the Wise County Education Association, chairman of the Southwest Virginia Supervisors’ Association, and as an assessor for the Southwest Virginia Regional Assessment Center at Virginia Tech. Additionally, Hill served as an adjunct instructor in education at the College for 13 years. In 2004, Hill was named a Distinguished Educator by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement, an award which recognizes distinguished and dedicated service to education, significant impact on the educational profession, and a reputation as an innovator/facilitator for educational change and improvement.

Fred L. Ramey, Jr., a 1988 graduate of the College, has served the City of Norton as its assistant city manager since 1991. In his post, Ramey is responsible for economic development efforts in Norton, including marketing the city for industrial and retail recruitment. Ramey managed the $4 million renovation of the once-dilapidated Hotel Norton into a vibrant facility, which is home to several companies and is host to numerous special events. Additionally, he managed Norton’s comprehensive downtown revitalization. In 2002, Ramey was honored by the Wise County Chamber of Commerce with a President’s Award and by the Norton Lions Club as Lion of the Year.
A member of the Board of Directors for the Duffield Development Authority and the Mountain Empire Regional Business Incubator, Ramey holds a master’s degree in city management from East Tennessee State University.

Teresa K. Vencil, a 1974 graduate of the College, has dedicated her life to instilling in her students the belief that they can make a difference. A science teacher at St. Paul High School, Vencil has led students in the Lake Estonoa reclamation project, which has gained national attention. As part of the project, an outdoor classroom was built, designed, decorated, and completed by the students. This summer, Vencil, and her husband, Dean, were honored when the facility, which overlooks the Lake Estonoa project, was dedicated as the Vencil Learning Center. Under Vencil’s leadership, Team Estonoa raised more than $225,000 through grants and donations to go toward the learning center and outdoor classroom. The project was one of eight nationwide to receive the 2003 SeaWorld Environmental Excellence Award. Vencil is the recipient of numerous awards for her work. Earlier this year, Vencil and her students received the Environmental Protection Agency's Region 3 Presidential Environmental Youth Award, which was presented by President George W. Bush during a ceremony held at the White House.