University of Virginia's College at Wise

The University of Virginia's College at Wise
UVa-Wise
Established	1954
Type	Public college
Endowment	US $40 million [1]
Chancellor	David J. Prior
Academic staff	~140
Students	2,005
Location	Wise, Virginia, US
Campus	Rural, 400 acres (1.6 km2)
Colors	Red and Gray
Athletics	NAIA, Mid-South Conference
Nickname	Highland Cavaliers
Website	www.uvawise.edu

The University of Virginia's College at Wise (also known as UVa-Wise, or University of Virginia at Wise) is the liberal arts college of the University of Virginia, and a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, located in Wise, Virginia, United States. It is the only branch of the University of Virginia, and the westernmost public college in Virginia.

History

UVa-Wise was founded by the University of Virginia in 1954 as Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia, a two-year junior college. In June 1970, the school began to grant four-year baccalaureate degrees. Since that time, UVa-Wise has granted about 6,000 baccalaureate degrees.

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.

The College offers 31 majors, 31 minors and 23 teaching specialties. As of September 2010, the College's enrollment is about 2,005 students. UVa-Wise is undergoing rapid growth, with several new buildings and campus beautification projects underway.

On February 2, 2012, UVa-Wise saw the unexpected death of their Chancellor, David J. Prior. During his seven years as Chancellor, UVa-Wise experienced remarkable growth in both student enrollment and the campus in general. It was during his administration that UVa-Wise reached an important milestone as it celebrated the success of its “Fulfilling the Dream” campaign. During the five-year campaign, the college exceeded its goal of $50 million. He was at the college’s helm during construction of many buildings, including the Hunter J. Smith Dining Commons, the Gilliam Center for the Arts and two residence halls, as well as the renovation of the Leonard W. Sandridge Science Center. Mr. Prior was extremely proud of the construction of the college’s $30 million Convocation Center, a facility that was funded by the Virginia General Assembly and gave Southwest Virginia its first major venue for hosting conventions, sporting competitions, concerts and other events. The campus entered a state of mourning on February 2nd and continues to operate with heavy hearts as they carry on the legacy left behind by Dr. David J. Prior.

Campus

The campus is known among undergraduate students and faculty as a relic. The University has managed to keep historic buildings alive and vibrant, while moving towards a more 'green' campus with new LEED certified buildings.

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.

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.

Academics

The college requires all freshmen to enroll in a two-semester seminar that covers writing and adjusting to the demands of college academic work. The student's seminar instructor becomes his advisor until the student selects a major. The college also has a 53 semester-hour general education requirement. In addition, students must attend 4 cultural activities in each their freshman and junior years. The college offers baccalaureate degrees in 31 majors, and the College Major for students who wish to pursue interdisciplinary studies.

Notable students

• The first winner of Make Me a Supermodel, Holly Kiser was a student of UVa-Wise.
• Virginia Delegate Terry Kilgore graduated from UVa-Wise when it was called Clinch Valley College.

Notable faculty and staff

• Carroll Dale, a former NFL football wide receiver, serves as assistant vice chancellor for athletic development.

Athletics

The school's athletic teams, known as the Highland Cavaliers, compete on the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) and are members of the Mid-South Conference.

UVa-Wise has claimed conference titles in football, men's basketball, women's basketball, volleyball, softball, and baseball all within the past decade.