University of Virginia's College at Wise

The University of Virginia's College at Wise (UVA Wise) is a public liberal arts college in Wise, Virginia. It is part of the University of Virginia[4] and was established in 1954 as Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia.[5]

The University of Virginia's College at Wise
Former names
Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia (1954–1999)
TypePublic college
Established1954
Parent institution
University of Virginia
Endowment$108 million (2019)
ChancellorDonna P. Henry
Academic staff
140
Students2,221 (Fall 2016 headcount)[1]
Location
Wise
,
Virginia
,
United States
CampusRural, 400 acres (1.6 km2)
ColorsRed and Gray[2]
   
AthleticsNCAA Division II - South Atlantic Conference
NicknameCavaliers
AffiliationsCOPLAC
MascotSmiddy the Cavalier[3]
Websitewww.uvawise.edu

History

The college was first conceived by local residents who petitioned the University of Virginia to establish a college in Wise.[6] As support for a college grew, the Commonwealth of Virginia appropriated $5,000 to open, staff, and operate the college as a two-year junior college on a trial basis for a year; and if successful, another $5,000 would be available for a second year.[6] In the winter of 1954, the local community matched the commonwealth's funds and collected over $6,000 to furnish the classrooms and use for supplies.[6] Wise County donated over 16-acre (6.5 ha) of property that included two sandstone buildings, the property had once served as the county's poor farm. Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia opened in September 1954 with an enrollment of 100 freshmen.[6] Clinch Valley College became the westernmost state-supported college in Virginia. Prior to its opening, Virginia lacked public colleges west of Radford.[6]

Clinch Valley College operated as a junior college throughout the late 1950s and 1960s. During that time, the college gained more support from graduates who wanted to complete their baccalaureate degrees at the same institution and the college began the process to become a four-year college. In June 1970, Clinch Valley College granted its first Bachelor of Arts degrees; followed by Bachelor of Science degrees, first awarded in 1973. The college continued to grow and added new programs such as nursing and technology and in 1996, the college granted its first Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees.[6] In 1999, the Virginia General Assembly renamed the school "The University of Virginia's College at Wise," following an unsuccessful effort to change the institution's name in 1991.[6] UVA Wise expanded its focus on international education and signed three sister institution agreements along with initiating cooperative and mutual exchange programs for students and faculty with three international institutions in the late 1990s. In 1998, the college signed a sister institution agreement with Istanbul University. A year later, it signed a second agreement with another Turkish university, Dumlupinar University in Kütahya. In December 2000, the University of Seville in Spain became the college's third sister institution.[6]

Through the early 21st century, UVA Wise underwent rapid growth, with several new buildings and campus beautification projects to accommodate enrollment growth.[7] As of September 2010, the college offered 31 majors, 31 minors and 23 teaching specialties and had an enrollment of about 2,005 students.[8] On February 2, 2012, UVA Wise saw the unexpected death of Chancellor David J. Prior.[9] During his seven years as chancellor, the college experienced dramatic growth in student enrollment and facilities. During his tenure, the UVA Wise's five-year fund raising campaign, known as the "Fulfilling the Dream" campaign, exceeded its goal to raise $50 million.[9] UVA Wise constructed numerous building during Prior's tenure, including the Hunter J. Smith Dining Commons, the Gilliam Center for the Arts and two residence halls, the $30 million Convocation Center, as well as the renovation of the Leonard W. Sandridge Science Center.[9]

Campus
Entrance to the campus, which is designated as SR 382

The University of Virginia's College at Wise comprises 396 acres (1.603 km2) in the small town of Wise, Virginia.[10] It is located approximately 52 miles (84 kilometers) from Kingsport, Tennessee and 48.5 mi (78.1 km) from Pikeville, Kentucky.

Convocation Center

State lawmakers and regional leaders joined The University of Virginia's College at Wise on July 1, 2009, to break ground for a $30 million Convocation Center, the largest single capital project in the College's history at that time.[11] The facility seats 3,000 for sporting events and 4,000 for concerts or convocation activities. The facility provides the region with its first venue to seat large crowds, something economic developers have said is needed to boost growth and development in far Southwest Virginia.[12] Shortly after the death of Chancellor David J. Prior in February 2012, the facilities were dedicated in his honor and named the David J. Prior Convocation Center.[13]

Academics

Accreditations

UVA Wise is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate degrees.[14] In addition, the college's computer science and software engineering degree programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.(ABET),[15] the nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE),[16] the teacher education program is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC),[17] and the chemistry program is accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS).[18]

Departments

UVA Wise has ten departments:

  • Department of Business & Economics
  • Department of Communications
  • Department of Education
  • Department of History & Philosophy
  • Department of Language and Literature
  • Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
  • Department of Natural Sciences
  • Department of Nursing
  • Department of Social Sciences
  • Department of Visual and Performing Arts

The college requires all freshmen to enroll in a one-semester seminar that covers adjusting to the demands of college academic work. The seminar used to cover two semesters, until it was modified in the 2012-13 fall semester.[19] Before the modified seminar, the student's seminar instructor became his or her advisor until the student selected a major.[20] Presently, if the student is unsure of the major that he or she wants to be in, the Advising Office becomes the student's adviser.[19] The college also has a 53 semester-hour general education requirement. Students must attend four cultural activities in each their freshman and junior years.[21] The college offers baccalaureate degrees in 31 majors. A College Major is also offered.[22]

Student life

Greek life

There are six Greek life fraternities and sororities.[23]

Fraternities

Sororities

Student publications

The Highland Cavalier is the student-run newspaper.[24] The college also has a biannual literary journal, Jimson Weed.[25]

Athletics
Main article: Virginia–Wise Cavaliers

UVA Wise teams, nicknamed athletically as the Cavaliers ("Highland Cavaliers" before 2017),[26] are part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II, primarily competing in the South Atlantic Conference. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf and tennis; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, softball, tennis, lacrosse and volleyball. Since moving to NCAA Division II in 2013, the school has claimed conference titles in softball and men's golf and most recently in 2018 their women’s lacrosse program went undefeated in the regular season and finished with a conference championship in their former home of the Mountain East Conference.

CAV-TV

The college broadcasts student news on channel 55, a public access cable station, under the call sign CAV-TV. [27]

Notable alumni
  • Jerry Kilgore, politician. During 1987 and 1988, Kilgore served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. He was Secretary of Public Safety under Governor George Allen from 1994 to 1998 and was elected Attorney General of Virginia in 2001 by a wide margin.
  • Terry Kilgore, politician, elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1993; graduated from Clinch Valley College (now UVA Wise).
  • Randy Hippeard, quarterback for the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League.
  • Steven Williams, YouTube personality known under the handle Boogie2988.

References
  1. "E02: Fall Headcount Enrollment (1992 thru Current Year)". State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  2. "GRAPHIC STANDARDS - UVa-Wise". Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  3. Pickett, Darrian (28 October 2015). "Heeeere's …. Smiddy!". The Highland Cavalier. The University of Virginia's College at Wise. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  4. "The University of Virginia's College at Wise". The University of Virginia. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  5. "Our Heritage & Campus History". The University of Virginia's College at Wise. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  6. "UVA-Wise Heritage And Mission". University of Virginia's College at Wise. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  7. "Fulfilling the Dream: a campaign". University of Virginia College at Wise (home page). Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  8. "Facts – The University of Virginia's College at Wise". University of Virginia College at Wise. Retrieved 2011-05-28.
  9. Igo, Steve (February 2, 2012). "UVa-Wise mourns death of chancellor". Kingsport Times-News. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  10. "University of Virginia--Wise". U.S. News and World Report. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  11. Staff (June 21, 2009). "UVa-Wise to hold groundbreaking ceremony for Convocation Center". Kingsport Times-News. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  12. "Building the Dream: a campaign". University of Virginia College at Wise (home page). Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
  13. Robinson, Allie (March 24, 2012). "David J. Prior Convocation Center named in honor of beloved late chancellor". TriCities.com. Bristol Herald Courier. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  14. "SACSCOC Member and Candidate List" (PDF). Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. July 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  15. "The University of Virginia's College at Wise". Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. 1 October 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  16. "CCNE-Accredited Baccalaureate Nursing Degree Programs". American Association of Colleges of Nursing. n.d. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  17. "Accredited Provider & Recognized Program Search". Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. n.d. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  18. Irby, Zach (18 April 2018). "UVa-Wise garners American Chemical Society accreditation". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  19. Shartouny, Jessica (27 April 2012). "Freshman Seminar Modified for Fall". The Highland Cavalier. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  20. "Academics: First-year experience". College at Wise. Retrieved 2015-05-25.
  21. "Academic Advising - General Education Requirements". College at Wise. Retrieved 2015-05-25.
  22. "Academics: Majors and minors". College at Wise. Retrieved 2015-05-25.
  23. "Greek Life". The University of Virginia's College at Wise. n.d. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  24. "The Highland Cavalier - The Official Student newspaper of The University of Virginia's College at Wise". The Highland Cavalier. n.d. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  25. Adams, Dalena (11 February 2015). "Jimson Weed accepting submissions for spring 2015 issue". The University of Virginia's College at Wise. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  26. "Highland Cavaliers". University of Virginia College at Wise (home page). Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  27. "Political science professor hosts TV show". highlandcavalier.com. 2012-12-05. Retrieved 2018-03-21.

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