266 Students Earn Degrees During 34th Commencement at UVa-Wise

Umbrellas dotted the processional for the rain-soaked 34th Commencement Exercises at The University of Virginia's College at Wise on May 17. But rain or shine, the 266 graduates members of the Class of 2003 were exuberant to be completing their degrees.

Two members of the Class of 2003 offered parting comments to their classmates. Mark B. Rudolph of Purcellville delivered the "moment of reflection." "UVa-Wise has made us better individuals and has given us the capacity to succeed in life," Rudolph said. "No matter the path you choose or the future endeavors you find yourself in always remember to rely on the teachings you have received here at UVa-Wise."

Emerald Candida Robinson relied on Dr. Seuss' Oh, the Places You Will Go for her "challenge to the graduates." "My parents are probably thinking about now that they wasted money on a college education if I have to read Dr. Seuss but the message conveyed here is not elementary at all," Robinson said. "Today I challenge you as graduates of 2003 to go into the world equipped with the education and skills you have learned here at UVa-Wise to promote positive change, do not be afraid of it but embrace it, and oh the places you will go!"

Commencement speaker Oleg Rudnik, a Russian born actor and director who emigrated to the United States with his family 27 years ago, encouraged the graduates to "reach for the stars."

"In your pursuit of success, have no fear," Rudnik said. "Have the courage to fight for your goals, and the integrity to stand by your convictions. Boldly build your castles in the sky; reach for the stars, even in broad daylight. Use the education you have received and the self-discipline that you have developed in order to receive it to make your dreams come true."

Now a translator and journalist with Voice of America, Rudnik studied acting at the legendary Moscow Art Theatre. "I was born and raised under the system of Soviet Communism, where I had very little choice about my future," Rudnik said. "Under that system, peoples lives were not their own to determine. I was lucky to leave Soviet Russia to seek a new life in the United States, where options in my life would not be limited by Communist Party bureaucrats. You see, to someone like me, raised under a Communist system, the words "land of opportunity" were not a cliché, they were a lifeline, a source of hope in an otherwise hopeless situation, a beacon of light in the totalitarian darkness."

When Rudnik and his family arrived in the United States, they spoke no English and had only a few dollars in their pockets. "When 27 years ago I landed in New York City at age of 38 I did not speak a word in English," Rudnik recalled. "But my education did help me to get a job -- as a taxi driver! I used my education and my skills to convince the owner of a taxi park that I was a professional driver. To tell you the truth, back then I did not even know where the ignition was on American cars. But that experience taught me that in America there is always a way to reach whatever goal you set for yourself if you're willing to bring all your skills, patience, and determination to bear."

Rudnik went on to teach himself English and later appeared in such films as Moscow on the Hudson with Robin Williams and Yuri Nosenko with Tommy Lee Jones.

The following graduates completed their degrees with distinction: summa cum laude (a grade point average of 3.9-4.0) William Paul Childress; Kristin Marie Gooch; Michael E. Street; Heather Renee Varner; and Angela Grace West; magna cum laude ( a grade point average of 3.7-3.899) Emmal Lois Blankenship; Kelli Moore Carson; Bradley Gene Delph; Nicholas Dwayne Jackson; Jennifer Lynn Jefferson; Whitney Jon McFalls; Emerald Candida Dawn Robinson; Charles H. Slemp, III; Penny Sue Stapleton; Evin Tezcanli; Sara Cortney Thacker; Jennifer LeAnn Vanover; and Terra Darlene Carroll Willis; cum laude ( a grade point average of 3.5-3.699) Lisa Kelly Barber; Scotty Dean Bostic; Christi Michelle Branson; Amber Kay Collier; Stephanie Ann Conway; Amy Nicole Cooke; Amy LeAnn Giles; Gregory Alan Hall; Meghan Gail Hamilton; Lori Lee Huneycutt; Carolyn Inez Hunnicutt; Zeynep Kara; John Wilson Kidd, Jr.; Jeria Cecile Kiser; Erkut Kokudal; Andrea Gayle Mullins; Joy Tina Smith; Kellie Nicole Smith; Jerry S. Stanley; Sabrina L. Stewart; Sarah Elizabeth Vanover; Jennifer D. Ward; and Marcie Lynn Williams.

William P. Childress of Clintwood and Adrienne Plaster of Rosedale were asked to speak to their peers during the annual Awards Convocation held on Friday, May 16.

The following is a list of awards presented to members of the Class of 2003 during the ceremony:

Business & Economics

Charles H. Slemp of Dryden received the Benjamin F. Kennedy Award, presented annually to the mostoutstanding senior majoring in the Department of Business and Economics. Active in the Student Government Association, the UVa-Wise Mock Trial Team, the Baptist Student Union, and the Honor Court, Slemp plans to attend law school.

Christina Holcombe Oquinn of Abingdon received the Outstanding Achievement in Accounting Award, which recognizes the outstanding graduate in accounting. Holcombe, a dean's list recipient whose plans include to sit for the CPA exam, is married with one daughter.

Donna Moore Stanley of Appalachia received the Outstanding Achievement in Business Administration Award, which recognizes the outstanding graduate in business administration. A Napoleon Hill Scholar, member of the Darden Society and treasurer of Phi Beta Lamba, Stanley is a married mother of two. She is employed by PD1 Behavioral Health Services.

Mark Bryan Rudolph of Purcellville received the Outstanding Achievement in Economics Award, which recognizes the outstanding graduate in economics. Past president of the Student Government Association and a recipient of Who's Who Among America's Colleges and Universities, Rudolph is a member of the Darden Society and Gamma Chi Omega. He plans to pursue an MBA degree at the University of Georgia.

Christopher Willard Smith of Virginia Beach received the Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award, presented annually to the business graduate 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. A class representative for the Student Government Association and member of the Highland Cavaliers football team, Smith plans to attend real estate school.

Education

Kellie Nicole Smith received the Richard A. Davidson Education Award presented to the graduating senior who best exemplifies the potential to carry on those qualities demonstrated by Dr. Davidson during his 36 years of service at UVa-Wise.

Andrea Gayle Mullins of McRoberts, Ky., and Jessica Lee Jackson of Vansant were co-recipients of the Beulah M. Johnson Secondary Teaching Award, which recognizes academic excellence and a commitment to a life-long career in teaching.

Robin Denise Lawson of Coeburn received the W.D. Richmond Award given to an outstanding graduate who plans to teach in elementary school. The criteria for the award includes leadership, overall grade point average, and performance in the teaching internship.

Heather Renee Varner of Appalachia was named the Outstanding Woman Scholar in Education by the Virginia Iota Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.

History & Philosophy

William Paul Childress of Clintwood received the William Elbert Fraley Award in History, presented annually to a student who has demonstrated unusual academic ability and promise in the field. An Upward Bound counselor and Freshman Mentor, Childress plans to attend law school.

Language & Literature

Kristina Jo Powers of Marion received the William Elbert Fraley Award in English, presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in English studies and plans to attend graduate school. Powers will begin graduate study in the college student personnel program at James Madison University this fall.

Amanda Hope Hagerman of Grundy received the Language and Literature Award in Communication Study Award, which recognizes a graduating senior for special distinction in the area of communication study.

Gabrielle Leigh Stinson of Wise received the Language and Literature Award for French, which recognizes outstanding work in French language and literature.

Marcie Lynn Williams of Pound received the Language and Literature Award for German, which recognizes outstanding work in German language and literature. Williams is a government major with minors in international studies and Spanish.

Meghan Gail Hamilton of Coeburn received the Language and Literature Award for Spanish, which recognizes outstanding work in Spanish language and literature. Also fluent in French, Hamilton is a member of the Darden Society. She will continue her study of Hispanic literature in graduate school in France.

Kelly Nicole Muncy of East Stone Gap and Kristina Jo Powers of Marion received the Senior Seminar Award for Communications. Reba Carroll Hand of Jonesville and Sarah Elizabeth Vanover of Clintwood received the Senior Seminar Award for Literature. The Senior Seminar Awards are presented in honor of Professors M. John Mahony and Richard H. Peake, who designed the Department of Language and Literature's Senior Seminar. The awards recognize students who have distinguished themselves in this capstone course in which students conduct research in communication or literature, write a scholarly essay, and present two public presentations of their projects.

Mathematical Sciences

Heather Renee Varner of Appalachia and Kristen Marie Gooch or Clintwood were named Outstanding Seniors in Mathematics. Varner, who has served as an assistant at the Center for Teaching Excellence at UVa-Wise, will begin work in the fall as an algebra teacher at Gate City Middle School. Gooch will be an intern in the Aerospace Research Summer Scholars Program with NASA at Langley Air Force Base. Both Varner and Gooch are members of the Darden Society and Sigma Zeta.

Brian Todd Harris of Norton was named the Outstanding Senior in Computer Information Systems. A member of the Darden Society, Harris has worked as an assistant for the computer services department at UVa-Wise. He plans to enter the work force in software development.

Natural Science

Jennifer Lynn Jefferson of Wirtz received the J. Rex Baird Outstanding Biology Award, created in recognition of Professor Baird for his outstanding contribution to the Department of Natural Science during 30 years of service. The award recognizes the accomplishments of a graduating senior 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. Jefferson will pursue a master's degree in forensic science at Virginia Commonwealth University.

American Institute of Chemists Award

Ronald David Wampler of Wise received the American Institute of Chemists Foundation Award, which honors a senior chemistry major nominated by the chemistry faculty. The award is based on the student's ability, character, scholastic achievement, and potential for advancement in the field of chemistry. Wampler plans to enter a doctoral program in analytical chemistry at Purdue University in the fall.

Bradley Gene Delph of Grundy received three awards from the Department of Natural Science: the American Chemical Society Award, which recognizes chemistry majors for their outstanding achievement; the Norton Community Hospital Medical Award, which is presented to a science student entering a professional school in medicine or a related field; and 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. Delph graduated with a double major in biology and chemistry while maintaining a near perfect grade point average. Delph will attend New Jersey Dental School. He is married to another member of the Class of 2003 Ð Summer Delph Ð who earned a degree in business administration.

Nursing

Ronnie Steven Sadler-Chapman of Abingdon received the Outstanding Graduate in Nursing Award presented annually in recognition of academic performance, College and community service, and commitment to the nursing profession. Sadler-Chapman, who completed his degree while practicing full-time, plans to attend graduate school to pursue a career as a family nurse practitioner.

Norma Jean Chandler of Bristol and Kelli Marie Fields of Meadowview received the Karen Denice Lane Nursing Challenge Award. The Karen Denice Lane Nursing Challenge Award recognizes a graduating senior who has coped with the challenges of obtaining a degree, demonstrated high academic achievement and excellence in nursing practice, and is committed to community service and life-long learning. Both recipients worked as full-time in the nursing profession while completing their degrees.

Social & Behavioral Sciences

Amber Raquel Puckett of Coeburn received the Outstanding Research Contribution in Psychology Award, which recognizes original research accepted in a competitive review process at a national conference.

Kelli Moore Carson of Coeburn received two awards: the Outstanding Non-Traditional Student in Psychology Award and the Leon and Helen Lederer Memorial Award in Applied Psychology. The Leon and Helen Lederer Memorial Award in Applied Psychology 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.

Erin Colleen Worley of Coeburn received the Outstanding Graduate in Administration of Justice Award presented to a graduating senior based on academic performance, college and community service, and commitment to the administration of justice profession. A member of the Darden Society, the UVa-Wise Ambassadors, the Judicial Board and the Student Government Association, Worley co-founded the UVa-Wise Chapter of Students Against Drunk Driving. She has been accepted to graduate school at the University of Tennessee.

Amy Nicole Cooke of Norton received the Scholar in Sociology Award presented to a graduating senior who has done work of the highest quality. The criteria for the award include outstanding scholarship and student leadership.

Christopher Brian Hanger of Keezletown and Marcie Lynn Williams of Pound received the Scholar of Government Award, presented to a student or students who have excelled in the study of government.

William Paul Childress of Clintwood received the Joseph M. Scolnick Memorial Pre-Law Award named for Joseph M. Scolnick who attended the University of Virginia and George Washington University and made his career as a lawyer in Norfolk and New York City. The award is presented annually to a graduating senior who plans to studylaw.

To see a full list of the graduates click here

To read Mr. Rudnik's speech click here

Photos by Tim Cox