UVa-Wise Class of 2005 largest in the College’s history

The Class of 2005 at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise included 290 graduates, the largest class in the College’s history.

Former chancellor L. Jay Lemons served as keynote speaker for the College’s 36th commencement.

Lemons, who left UVa-Wise in January 2001 to become president of Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania, marveled at the dramatic changes to the Wise campus, including the addition of the Student Center and the lake.

“You members of the class of 2005 have been here during a time of great transformation,” Lemons said. “Mr. Jefferson’s academical village in the mountains has been completely re-shaped in ways that are important and powerful. The campus is now configured to be an ever greater instrument of learning and human transformation.”

Lemons reminded graduates that the most important construction projects the College has undertaken are the personal ones. “While these building projects are essential and enormously important, they are secondary to the building that has taken place during these past two, three, or four years among each of you members of the Class of 2005,” Lemons said. “The most important mission here is to build human capacity, to help each of you to build the intellectual foundation, the knowledge, the wisdom, and the work ethic to construct your own lives.”

Lemons reminded graduates of the College’s founding in 1954 and the important role a small group of determined citizens made in establishing and operating the institution first known as Clinch Valley College. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world,” Lemons said.

“Class of 2005, never doubt that you can make a difference,” Lemons said. “Be the authors of your own audacious plans. Seek out thoughtful and committed citizens to help you. You can change the world. If you doubt it, look around you - here is your proof. Here is a place where, as Papa Joe (Smiddy) would say, ‘dreams find legs.’ You can change the world.”

Two members of the Class of 2005 offered parting comments to their classmates. Roger B. Hagy, Jr. of Coeburn delivered the moment of reflection.

“Never forget what you’ve learned as a student here at UVa-Wise: both the academic lessons and the life lessons, which should remain with you for all time,” Hagy said. “Moreover, never forget those people who have made an impact on your lives, be they professors, fellow students, or others. Those relationships are both memories and lessons in and of themselves.”

Julie C. Yates of Coeburn delivered the challenge to graduates. “My challenge to you, the Class of 2005, is to meet change with courage and determination,” Yates said. “We must consciously forfeit our human inclination to resist change and accept that it is inevitable. We also must not be afraid of failure because anything worth gaining in this world is achieved through risk.”

Joshua Belcher of Pound addressed his peers during the annual Awards Convocation held on Friday, May 20. Kendall Rainey of Glade Spring was also selected to speak to her classmates. However, Rainey was competing in a national tournament along with the UVa-Wise softball team.

The following is a list of awards presented to members of the Class of 2005 during the Awards Convocation:

Business & Economics

Erin Hamm of Richlands received the Napoleon Hill Achievement Award, which is presented to the graduating senior who most embodies Hill’s principles for success.

Joyce Brooks of Troutdale received the Outstanding Achievement in Accounting Award.

Kendall Rainey of Glade Spring received the Outstanding Achievement in Business Administration Award.

Angela Begley of Big Stone Gap received the Outstanding Achievement in Economics Award.

Bobbie VanHuss of Pound received the David W. Roane Award in Business Ethics, which recognizes a senior who has practiced the highest level of integrity and honesty in his or her interaction with the department’s faculty, fellow students and staff of the College.

Education

Jason Matlock of Damascus 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.

Matthew Stanley of Wise received the Beulah M. Johnson Award, which recognizes academic excellence and a student’s commitment to a life-long career in teaching.

Jeremiah Eskridge of Glade Spring was presented with the W.D. Richmond Award, given to an outstanding graduate who plans to teach in elementary school.

Kelly Rose of Coeburn was named the Outstanding Woman Scholar in Education.

History & Philosophy

Julie C. Yates of Coeburn was the recipient of the William Elbert Fraley Award in History, which recognizes unusual academic ability and promise in the field of history.

William A. Perkins and Shawnda C. Perkins, both of Lebanon, were the recipients of the Clinch Valley College History Fund Award, which recognizes history majors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement.

Language & Literature

Joshua H. Newberry of Clintwood received the William Elbert Fraley Award in English, which is presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in English studies and who plans to attend graduate school.

Roger B. Hagy, Jr. of Coeburn 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.

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. Joshua H. Newberry of Clintwood and Bonnie L. Shortt of Pound received the Senior Seminar Awards for Literature. Tiffany M. Hunter of Norton and Roger B. Hagy, Jr. of Coeburn received the Senior Seminar Awards for Communication.

Mathematical Sciences

Amanda N. Baker of Clintwood was named the Outstanding Senior in Mathematics.

Matthew Corey Ison of Jeremiah, Ky., was recognized as the Outstanding Senior in Computer Information Systems.

Natural Science

Stanley R. Sokolowski of Cumberland, Ky., was the recipient 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.

Nathan E. Swindall of Big Stone Gap 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.

Joshua D. Belcher of Pound was presented with the American Chemical Society Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in chemistry.

Joshua D. Belcher of Pound 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

Kimberly B. Shortridge of Abingdon was presented the Outstanding Graduate in Nursing Award in recognition of academic performance, College and community service, and commitment to the nursing profession.

Dwayne A. Grimes of Wise received the Karen Denice Lane Nursing Challenge Award, which 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.

Social & Behavioral Sciences

Stephanie M. Bardin of Houston, Texas, 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.

Pauline Fraley of Big Rock was presented the Scholar in Sociology Award in recognition of outstanding scholarship and student leadership.

Sascha R. Pope of Coeburn 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.