Endowed Scholarships

Each spring, UVA Wise hosts the annual Spring Scholarship Luncheon where students meet their scholarship donors, enjoy conversations over a delicious meal, and celebrate the impact of scholarships.

UVA Wise is pleased to announce the following newly endowed scholarship funds as well as the donors who have made them possible.

2023 Newly Endowed Scholarship Funds

Twenty-Five New Endowed Scholarship Funds were announced at the 2023 Scholarship Luncheon

The Jim Adams Memorial Scholarship was established in 2022 by Stephanie Adams in honor of her late husband. The scholarship will support students majoring in Education, and eligible students will have been accepted into the teacher education program at the College at Wise. It is the Donor’s preference that scholarships be awarded to students who are high school graduates from schools in the areas of Wise County, Virginia and the City of Norton, Virginia; a second preference is that scholarships be awarded to students who demonstrate leadership ability, are involved in community service, and who were active members of their high school student body.

The Jerrad Uriah Anderson Scholarship was established in 2022 by Anja Hellmich in honor of her late husband. The scholarship will be awarded to students who are majoring in computer science, software engineering or any related field.

The Auxiliary to Lonesome Pine Hospital was established by the Auxiliary to Lonesome Pine Hospital to remember the decades of support of the hospital. The scholarship will be awarded to students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and in the future may be awarded to students in the Family Nurse Practitioner program. Priority will be given to students from far Southwest Virginia.

The Bott Family Scholarship was established by K. Wayne Bott and Gwyneth M. Bott, whose family values education and wants to help future generations of students earn degrees that will allow them to teach. The Donors are both graduates of the College at Wise; K. Wayne Bott graduated in 1976 and Gwyneth M. Bott graduated in 1979. The Botts have three children including G. Rosa Bott, a graduate of the UVA Wise Class of 2005, William B. Bott, a graduate of the UVA Wise Class of 2010, and E. Kathryn Bott Hay.

The R. Michael Clemmer Scholarship was created in 2023 by R. Michael Clemmer. The scholarship will be awarded to worthy and deserving students.

The Clinch Valley College Class of 1970 Scholarship was established by members of the Class of 1970 with an effort initiated in 2010 by alumnus Carroll Mullins. The scholarship will be awarded to worthy and deserving students.

The Katheryn B. and S. Chris Curtis Bicentennial Scholarship was established by Kathy and Chris Curtis to assist those who are members of the Women's Volleyball team that demonstrate academic merit.

The Crockett Hall Unity Scholarship was established by alumni Stephen D. Curran, John L. Sabo, and Marion W. Smith who are graduates of the College. The Donors wish the scholarship to be awarded to students at the College at Wise based on academic merit and demonstrated financial need. The scholarship shall be applied first to fees related to living on-campus. Scholarships will be awarded to students who demonstrate leadership abilities and are dedicated to building a strong community.

The Roger Dotson Music Scholarship was established by Jo Stewart and Frankie Holbrook in honor and memory of Jo's son Roger. The scholarship is to be awarded to students who have a passion for music, play musical instruments, or are musically talented. While the scholarship may be awarded to music majors, non-majors may also be considered.

The Christopher D. W. Freeman & Patsy F. Robinson Family Bicentennial Scholarship was established by Patsy F. Robinson. The fund shall be used to provide scholarships to students who reside in the footprint of what was the service area of Coeburn High School, now a combined school named Eastside High School.

The Alison Elizabeth Gibson Bicentennial Scholarship and Napoleon Bonaparte Parsons and Elizabeth Barker Parsons Bicentennial Scholarship were established by Sarah Elizabeth Parsons Gibson and George P. Gibson. The Gibson Bicentennial Scholarship was established in memory and honor of their daughter. This fund will be awarded to worthy and deserving students with preference for residents from Wise County, Virginia. The Parsons Bicentennial Scholarship was established in memory of Sarah’s mother and father. Preference will be given to students from Wise County.

The Eva and Jim Gott Bicentennial Scholarship was established by Eva Gott and James Gott in 2023. The Fund shall be used for worthy and deserving student-athletes participating on the basketball team and the golf team.

The Donna Price Henry Leadership Bicentennial Scholarship was established by Richard and Doris Price in honor of their daughter Donna’s, 10th anniversary leading UVA Wise as Chancellor. The scholarship will be awarded to worthy and deserving students with preference for students who wish to live on campus to better serve in a student leadership capacity.

The James (Jimmy) Holyfield Athletic Scholarship was established by James W. Holyfield and Martha A. Holyfield as part of their estate gift. We are saddened that Jim recently passed away but know he would be pleased that his and Martha’s thoughtful estate planning will now support students from Southwest Virginia participating in intercollegiate athletics.

The Jessica Nicole Huff Hollyfield Scholarship was established by her parents Teddy and April Huff in concert with Jessica’s husband, David Hollyfield, and her infant son, John Ezra. The scholarship will carry forward Jessica’s legacy as a loving daughter, devoted wife, and beloved mother. Jessica will be remembered for her warmth and kindness, and passion for helping others; and Ezra will carry forward her beautiful spirit. She was a 2014 graduate of Eastside High School and a 2017 graduate of UVA Wise.

The Lacrosse Family Legacy Bicentennial Scholarship was established by Roger, Mary Anne and Sydney Steinberg, along with alumni and friends of the Lacrosse program. The scholarship will be awarded to worthy and deserving students who are members of the Women’s Lacrosse program and, who exemplify dedication in the classroom, passion on the field, and a commitment to excellence, as well as serving the community and being outstanding individuals.

The Napoleon Hill Foundation Keys to Success Bicentennial Scholarship was established by the Napoleon Hill Foundation.  Scholarships will be awarded to worthy and deserving students with a preference given to students who have distinguished themselves as leaders or are enrolled in "Keys to Success" or have been selected for membership in the Napoleon Hill Scholars Program.

The Audrey C. Rasnake and Kenneth R. Rasnake Scholarship was established by Nathan Rasnake as part of his estate plan. The scholarship will be awarded to first-generation college students who are majoring in accounting, business administration, or communication studies.

The Snyder Nursing Home Peggy Thompson Shortt Bicentennial Scholarship was established by Snyder Nursing Home, located in Salem, Virginia. Established in memory of Peggy Thompson Shortt who served the Nursing profession of the Roanoke Valley for 49 years, of which 22 years were in the practice of Director of Nursing at Snyder Nursing Home. She was known to have a comforting voice to those who were ill and lonely, and a gentle touch to those in pain. A healing hand to the sick; with love in her heart for all. Peggy was a selfless servant who dedicated her life to those she cared for. The scholarship will be awarded to students who are majoring in Nursing; with preference for residents of southern West Virginia or southwest Virginia.

The H.A. Street Memorial Pre-Law Bicentennial Scholarship was established by an anonymous donor. Preference for the scholarship will be given to Pre-Law students with a second preference to students from the designated distressed areas of Appalachia, as identified by the Appalachian Regional Commission.

The Margaret Hix Traynor Bicentennial Scholarship was established by Andrew F. Traynor and Pamela D. Flynn in memory of Andrew's mother. The scholarship will be awarded to students who are majoring in education.

The Amelia and Bob VanGundy Bicentennial Scholarship in Earth and Physical Sciences Fund was established by Bob and Amelia VanGundy.  Scholarships will be awarded to students of underrepresented populations who are pursuing a degree in the earth or physical sciences field. It truly is heartwarming when faculty, staff and retirees, who know the real value of scholarships, makes these investments.

The Dr. & Mrs. A. M. Vedha Scholarship was established by Arunachalam Vedhanayakam. The scholarship will be awarded to worthy and deserving students with preference to students who are from Southwest Virginia that demonstrate financial need.

The YY Service David and Sherry Yeary Scholarship was established by Wayne and Eva Yeary. The scholarship will be awarded to worthy and deserving students at the College at Wise who are pursuing a degree in the nursing program. Preference will be given to students from Southwest Virginia with priority for those from Wise, Dickenson, Lee, Scott and Russell Counties.

UVA Wise is pleased to announce the 2023 Tice Total Achievement Awards. The awards are presented to students who honor and encourage family values, community service, cooperation, creativity and scholarship. Students displaying these qualities are nominated by College faculty and staff members and selected by the Tice Award Committee. The award is made possible through a generous endowment created by Dr. Frederick Gordon Tice, a 1939 alumnus of the University of Virginia.

Tice Total Achievement Recipients

• Bayleigh R. Allison is a first-year student majoring in Mathematics, with a minor in Secondary Education. A member of the softball team, Bayleigh is involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Being an active member of her church, she participates in the Operation Shoebox Program and has traveled to their headquarters in North Carolina to pack shoeboxes to distribute to underprivileged children around the world. In her community, Bayleigh has served as a 4-H teen counselor at camp for many years. She also was able to help with the flood relief in Kentucky and has participated in the Angels special needs sports program in our area. At the present time, Bayleigh also works at the David J. Prior Convocation Center helping to provide support for events.
• Dakota J. Ball is junior majoring in Business Administration.  Dakota serves as a Resident Advisor, helping with TRIO Student Support Services. A cadet in the ROTC, Dakota serves as a member of The Pershing Rifles Company. Being very involved with the ROTC, he helps present the colors at sporting events, takes care of the campus flags each day and has volunteered doing clean up around our community. His future plans are to be commissioned into the United States Army as Military Police.

• Isabella L. Mullins is sophomore majoring in Nursing, with hopes to work as a Primary Care Nurse to promote health in her community. As an active member of the Cross-Country Team and the Highland Cavalier Marching Band, Isabella is involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Through her involvement with the Cross-Country Team, she has volunteered to help direct local races. In her hometown community, Isabella has volunteered at the Williamsburg House of Mercy food pantry, packaging food and delivering meals to families in need.

• Zachary P. Owens is a junior majoring in Exercise Science.  A member of the Men’s Basketball and Cross-Country teams, Zach is a representative for the Student Athlete Advisory Council.  Through the Student Athlete Advisory Council, Zach has volunteered for various events and has helped with the Operation Christmas Shoebox program. Zach is also a member of the Future Professionals Club and the Kinesiology Club. He also volunteers in his community, helping whenever possible with the local high schools in our area.

• Melanie Brooke Ramey is a freshman majoring in Sociology, with a minor in Psychology. Brooke is a member of Circle K International as the Family Relations Co-Chair, a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, a member of Sigma Alpha Omega, and is involved in community outreach through these organizations as well as a student ambassador. In her community, Brooke has been actively engaged in community service projects such as food and blood drives. She is also active within her church and has been part of Upward Bound.