Record number of graduates awarded degrees at UVa-Wise

The largest graduating class in the 50-year history of The University of Virginia’s College at Wise participated in commencement exercises on Saturday, May 22.

Some 279 graduates received degrees during the College’s 35th commencement ceremony.

Virginia Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore, a 1983 graduate of UVa-Wise, delivered the keynote address.

“This College gave me the skills and education I needed to succeed,” Kilgore said. “The degrees you receive today are a testament to the skills and education that will help you succeed.”

“We have seen other graduates go on to become doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers and business leaders in Virginia and throughout America. One of our graduates may event run for governor,” quipped Kilgore, the likely Republican candidate in the upcoming Virginia gubernatorial race.

Kilgore reminded graduates of the importance of maintaining a good name. “Your actions and the choices you make every day determine the name you will make for yourself,” Kilgore said. “The way you keep your good name is by remembering and honoring the values you were taught in your life.”

Two members of the Class of 2004 offered parting comments to their classmates.
Nicholas A. Vanover of Vansant delivered the moment of reflection, thanking faculty members for their support and encouragement. When we first arrived at Wise, we called you doctor or professor,” Vanover said. “Now, we can safely call many of you friend. One day in the future, maybe a few of us can call you colleague and bestow upon future generations the guidance and friendship that you so selflessly gave us.”

Lillie M. DeLancy of Bristol, a summa cum laude graduate and the top student in the Class of 2004, issued the challenge the graduates. DeLancy, whose daughter is a rising senior at UVa-Wise, has been pursuing her college degree since her youngest child was in kindergarten.

“Education doesn’t end with the awarding of your diploma,” DeLancy said. “Keep your mind open and keep it sharp. I urge each of you to be a life-long learner. My stepfather, now in his late 70s, recently enrolled in Spanish classes and for that he has my admiration. I plan to follow his example and continue my education as long as I am able to open a book.”

Kaitlin Scardo of Big Stone Gap was awarded College Honors. Students who graduate with College Honors at UVa-Wise have taken a special series of courses designed to emphasize writing, oral communication and thinking. These students have completed twelve hours of honors credit courses and have attended eight Honors events. These honors courses are multidisciplinary offerings that engage students in reading, writing, and discussion on a broad range of topics. Students who graduate with College Honors have proven themselves in a rigorous course of study and deserve special recognition

Benjamin Meade of Pound and Ella Smith of Clintwood addressed their peers during the annual Awards Convocation held on Friday, May 21.

The following is a list of awards presented to members of the Class of 2004 during the awards ceremony:

Business & Economics

Daniel M. Cauley of Fairfax received the Napoleon Hill Achievement Award, which is presented to the graduating senior who most embodies Hill‚s principles for success.

Rhonda S. Elswick of Clintwood and Kimberly R. Jessee of Castlewood received the Outstanding Achievement in Accounting Award.

Lillie M. DeLancy of Bristol received the Outstanding Achievement in Business Administration Award.

Zehra N. Gurkan of Istanbul, Turkey, and Samuel M. Wharton, III of Wise received the Outstanding Achievement in Economics Award.

Courtney L. Conner of Richlands was presented the Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award, which recognizes a student who has maintained a grade point average of 3.0 or better and exhibited outstanding student service to the College and the Department of Business and Economics.

Education

Mary A. Puckett of Clintwood received the Richard A. Davidson Education Award, which is presented to the graduating senior who best exemplifies the potential to carry on the qualities of leadership demonstrated by Professor Davidson during his 36 years at UVa-Wise.

Belinda K. Kiser of Lebanon was presented with the W.D. Richmond Award, given to an outstanding graduate who plans to teach in elementary school.

Lindsay K. Mabe of Appalachia was named the Outstanding Woman Scholar in Education.

History & Philosophy

Matthew A. Carter of Keokee was the recipient of the Clinch Valley College History Fund Award, which recognizes history majors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement.
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Larisa V. Owens of Pound was a recipient of the Heather Markusich Scholarship, which is awarded to history majors of unusual talent and promise.

David E. Peace of Big Stone Gap, Jeffrey D. Blevins of Damascus, and Ella M. Smith of Clintwood were presented with the William Elbert Fraley Award in History, presented to students who have demonstrated unusual academic ability and promise.

Language & Literature

Stephanie A. Tolliver of St. Paul and Nicholas A. Vanover of Vansant received the William Elbert Fraley Award in English, which is presented to graduating seniors who have demonstrated excellence in English studies and who plan to attend graduate school.

Amber N. Phillips of Castlewood was the recipient of the Language and Literature Award in Communication Study, which recognizes a graduating senior for special distinction in the area of communication study.

Charles J. Carter of Sterling received the Language and Literature Award for French, which recognizes outstanding work in French language and literature.

Ella M. Smith of Clintwood was presented the Language and Literature Award for Spanish, which recognizes outstanding work in Spanish language and literature.

The Senior Seminar Award recognizes students who have distinguished themselves in this capstone course. Majors who enroll in Senior Seminar conduct research in communication or literature and write a scholarly essay. Students are also required to give two public presentations of their projects. Stephanie A. Tolliver of St. Paul received the Senior Seminar Award for literature. Julia C. Maggard of Pound received the Senior Seminar Award for communication.

Mathematical Sciences

Chadwick A. Fore of Norton was named the Outstanding Senior in Mathematics

Shizuka A. Hall of Gate City was recognized as the Outstanding Senior in Computer Information Systems


Natural Science

Candice M. Oakes of Wise and Lindsay Rutherford of Swords Creek were the recipients of the J. Rex Baird Outstanding Biology Award. This award recognizes the accomplishments of graduating seniors in biology, whose efforts and accomplishments incorporate the rigor and diligence of modern biology, and express the exhilaration of investigative work that marked Professor Baird‚s career.
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Christopher M. Hill of Blackwater was presented the American Institute of Chemists Award, which recognizes a student's ability, character, scholastic achievement, and potential for advancement in the field of chemistry.

M. Catherine Hurley of Norton received the Norton Community Hospital Medical Award, presented to a science student entering a professional school in medicine or a related field.

Matthew A. Boone of Wise was presented with the American Chemical Society Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in chemistry.

Matthew A. Boone of Wise also received the Joseph C. Smiddy Science Award, presented to the outstanding senior in natural sciences in honor of Joseph C. Smiddy, the College‚s first biology professor and chancellor.

Nursing


Justin M. Adams of Pound was presented the Outstanding Graduate in Nursing Award in recognition of academic performance, College and community service, and commitment to the nursing profession.

Social & Behavioral Sciences

Adrienne L. Baker of Wise was a recipient of the Outstanding Research Contribution in Psychology, which recognizes original research accepted in a competitive review process at a national conference.

Benjamin Dane Meade of Pound was presented with the Outstanding Graduate in Administration of Justice Award, which recognizes a graduating senior based on academic performance, College and community service, and commitment to the administration of justice profession.

Justin Collins of Wise received the Achievement in Administration of Justice Award, which recognizes the commitment and hard work of a senior Administration of Justice major in the field of law enforcement.

Toni Renee Lynch of Clintwood was presented the Scholar in Sociology Award in recognition of outstanding scholarship and student leadership.

Vonda K. Wagner of Appalachia received the Leon and Helen Lederer Memorial Award in Applied Psychology, which is presented to a graduating senior who will attend graduate school in applied psychology, and who has demonstrated excellence in academics, scholarly research, leadership, and service to the College and community.

Jared T. Vasold of Nelson and Jessica R. Owens of Cedar Bluff received the Joseph M. Scolnick Memorial Pre-Law Award presented to outstanding students who plan to pursue a career in law.

Tiffany D. Washington of Dillwyn received the Blanche Dean Bryant Memorial Award in Psychology, which is presented to a successful student exhibiting a combination of scholarship, research, and service to the psychology program. Recipients must have had research accepted and presented at a regional or national psychological association.


Visual & Performing Arts

Melanie L. Cooper of Big Stone Gap received the Cohen Family Memorial Award in the Arts, presented to a graduating senior who has produced creative work of unusual excellence in the arts, and promises continuing meritorious work in the arts in the future.