UVa-Wise Board welcomes seven new members

Ernest H. Ern, Kathy Stewart ’77,  C. Michael Puckett ’66, Dawneda Fowler Williams, Mike L. Allen ’81, Charlie R. Jessee ’62 and Brittney L. Mullins ’07.

Seven new members have joined The University of Virginia’s College at Wise Board, and five current members have been re-appointed to four-year terms.

During 2006, the University of Virginia Board of Visitors appointed Dawneda Fowler Williams of Wise, Ernest H. Ern of Charlottesville, Mike L. Allen ‘81 of Big Stone Gap, C. Michael Puckett ‘66 of Lebanon, and Charlie R. Jessee ‘62 of Abingdon to serve new four-year terms as members of the UVa-Wise Board.

Dawneda Fowler Williams, a native of Grundy, is a long-term supporter of UVa-Wise. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina her master’s degree from the University of Virginia. She has served as a member and president of the UVa-Wise Foundation Board and also served as co-chair of the College’s 50th Anniversary Coordinating Committtee. Ms. Williams also currently serves on the Board of Trusteess at Berea College.

Ernest H. Ern served as chancellor of UVa-Wise during the 2004-2005 academic year. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Bates College and his master’s degree and Ph.D. from Lehigh University. He has held several administrative positions at the University of Virginia, where he is currently Senior Vice President and University Professor of Environmental Sciences Emeritus. Mr. Ern also currently serves on the UVa-Wise Campaign Cabinet.

Mike L. Allen ’81, a native of Wise County, attended the United Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance School and currently serves as agency president of South-West Insurance Agency in Norton. Mr. Allen also currently serves on the UVa-Wise Foundation Board and is a member of the Wise County Education Foundation.

C. Michael Puckett ‘66 attended UVa-Wise before earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and an M.Ed. from the University of Virginia.  He is currently the assistant superintendent for Russell County Public Schools in Lebanon, where he also serves as director of transportation and secondary supervisor.  Mr. Puckett’s duties with the school system also include responsibility for business partnerships, the AIM Scholar Program, public relations, employee and student recognition, and Tech Prep.

Charlie R. Jessee ‘62 is a practicing attorney with Jessee and Read, PC, in Abingdon. He graduated in 1983 from Cumberland Law School at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. Mr. Jessee also currently serves as a member of the UVa-Wise Foundation Board and has been instrumental in the receipt of estate gifts to the College in excess of $3.1 million.

In addition, the College Board appointed two new members to one-year terms. As president of the Alumni Association, Kathy Stewart ’77 will serve a one-year term on the UVa-Wise Board, while Brittney L. Mullins ’07 is currently serving a one-year term as the Board’s student member. The UVa-Wise Board also welcomed the renewed appointments of current members Michael G. McGlothlin of Grundy, Eliza S. Rigg of Wise, Joseph Frank Smiddy, M.D., ‘60 of Church Hill, Tenn., William J. Sturgill ’56 of Norton, and James Michael Thomas of Gate City.

Posted March 21, 2007