McDaniel learns hometown college can broaden horizons

With both parents employed by UVa-Wise, Scott McDaniel literally grew up on campus.

"I’ve been around UVa-Wise for as long as I can remember, so for me it was the place my parents worked, not a college I planned to attend,” McDaniel said. “I didn’t see the potential or specialness that came with it and I was a bit reluctant to come to the College because of that fact.”

McDaniel, the son of Martha and Rusty Necessary, decided to give his hometown college a try. “I slowly began to realize how much of an impact the College has on students,” McDaniel said. “My plan was to stay for a couple of years and transfer to the University of Virginia, but after getting through my freshman year and joining the residence life staff and getting involved on campus, the College became home.  And I fell in love with the history department and I couldn’t imagine studying anywhere else.”

Although he lived just a few miles from campus, McDaniel opted to be a residential student. Merit scholarships helped make it more affordable for McDaniel to live on campus. He became involved in residence life and served as a resident advisor in 2003-04 and resident director in 2004-05.

"I really enjoyed getting to know freshman students and watching them grow and evolve over the course of their first year at UVa-Wise,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel had his own evolution during his time at Wise. A gifted history student who received Dean’s List honors for eight consecutive semesters, he was inducted into Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society.  He was also selected for membership in the Darden Society, the College’s oldest honor society, and Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society. During his senior year, McDaniel was selected as the student representative on the UVa-Wise Board.

"My term on the Board opened my eyes to the fact that people on the Board really care about the College and put a great deal of effort into their service,” McDaniel said.

In the fall, McDaniel will begin graduate study at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky., near Lexington.  After earning a degree in theological studies, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in divinity or theology.  Ultimately, he’d like to help guide students as a college professor.

"Education is not just about facts and figures. I want to commit myself to teaching people that life must not be centered on the individual,” McDaniel said. “An abundant life comes when we love our brothers and sisters, when we commit ourselves to social and moral justice.  Teaching on the college level is how I feel called to participate in such a goal.”

McDaniel, a magna cum laude graduate in history, said the faculty in the Department of History and Philosophy have left him well prepared for graduate school. “The style each professor had and the extensive focus on reading and writing will serve me well,” he said.