Public invited to historical marker dedication, lecture at UVa-Wise Sept. 20

To commemorate its 50th anniversary, The University of Virginia’s will unveil an historical marker on campus on Monday, Sept. 20.

The event will be held fifty years to the day that classes began at the College in 1954. State Senator William Wampler, Jr. will deliver the keynote address.

Part of Virginia’s Historical Highway Marker Program, the marker’s text follows:

"The college was founded in 1954 as Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia, through the efforts of local citizens and University of Virginia officials including President Colgate W. Darden, Jr; Samuel R. Crockett, extensive services director in Southwest Virginia; and George Zehmer, director of the extension division. Located on the former Wise County Poor Farm, the college began as a two-year co-educational branch of the University of Virginia. In 1970, Clinch Valley College awarded its first bachelor's degrees. In 1999, it became the University of Virginia's College at Wise. It is a nationally recognized, public, liberal arts college."

The outdoor ceremony, which is free and open to the public, begins at 1 p.m. near Smiddy Hall and will be followed with birthday cake.

At 6 p.m., Miriam Morris Fuller, a former student, will offer her reflections on being the first African-American admitted to the College at a time when segregation was still law in Virginia. Fuller was already a graduate of Virginia State University when she decided to enroll at the College to become certified to teach business.

“I was aware of the fact that African-Americans were not accepted at white colleges, but one never knows unless one asks,” Fuller recalled. Fuller was accepted by then Chancellor Joseph Smiddy and studied with business instructor Emma McCraray.

“Mr. Smiddy’s decision was not a popular one,” Fuller said. “No it was not a popular one, but because of this courageous decision, I became a qualified teacher of typing and shorthand, and many young African-American ladies became professional typists and stenographers.”

Fuller, who now resides in Jefferson City, Mo., worked as both a school and public librarian during her career. She earned her master’s degree in library science from the University of Illinois and her doctoral degree in education from the University of Missouri – Columbia. A native of Big Stone Gap, she is the author of a variety of scholarly works and several children’s books including Phillis Wheatley: America’s First Black Poetess.

Click here to see a picture of the marker