University of Virginia's College at Wise
Encyclopedia
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
. It is the only branch of the University of Virginia
, and the westernmost public college in 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.
When the Convocation Center is completed in two years, the facility will seat 3,000 for sporting events and 4,000 for concerts or convocation activities. The facility will give the region its first venue to seat large crowds, something economic developers have said is needed to boost growth and development in far Southwest Virginia.
(National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) and are members of the Appalachian Athletic Conference
in nine sports programs, the school competes in the Mid-South Conference
in football under head coach Dewey Lusk.
As of 2006, the Highland Cavaliers' football team was ranked in the top 25 schools in the NAIA, and ranked #1 in total offense in all of the NAIA. The football team plays its home games at Carl Smith Stadium
. Many students and alumni also follow the Virginia Cavaliers
athletic teams.
Liberal arts college
A liberal arts college is one with a primary emphasis on undergraduate study in the liberal arts and sciences.Students in the liberal arts generally major in a particular discipline while receiving exposure to a wide range of academic subjects, including sciences as well as the traditional...
of the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, and a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges
Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges
The Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges or COPLAC is a consortium of 26 public colleges and universities in 24 states and one Canadian province...
, located in Wise, Virginia
Wise, Virginia
Wise is a town in Wise County, Virginia, United States. The population was 3,286 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Wise County. It was originally incorporated as the town of Gladeville in 1874. The town's name was changed to Wise in 1924. Wise is named after Virginia governor Henry A...
. It is the only branch of the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, and the westernmost public college in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
.
History
UVa-Wise was founded by the University of VirginiaUniversity of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
in 1954 as Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia, a two-year junior college
Junior college
The term junior college refers to different educational institutions in different countries.-India:In India, most states provide schooling through 12th grade...
. 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
Virginia General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, established on July 30, 1619. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Virginia House of Delegates, with 100 members,...
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.
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.When the Convocation Center is completed in two years, the facility will seat 3,000 for sporting events and 4,000 for concerts or convocation activities. The facility will give the region 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 (US) Holly KiserHolly KiserHolly Kiser is an American fashion model. She was the first winner of Make Me a Supermodel.- Career :Holly is currently signed with L.A Model Management in Los Angeles, Connected Models in Hong Kong and Red eleven in Auckland, New Zealand....
was a student of UVa-Wise. - VirginiaVirginiaThe Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
Delegate Terry KilgoreTerry KilgoreTerry Gene Kilgore is an American politician. A Republican, he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1993. He the 1st district in the far southwestern corner of the state, near Cumberland Gap....
graduated from UVa-Wise when it was called Clinch Valley College.
Notable faculty and staff
- Carroll DaleCarroll DaleCarroll Wayne Dale is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at Virginia Tech from 1956–59. Dale was named second-team All American in 1958 and 1959....
, 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 NAIANational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
(National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) and are members of the Appalachian Athletic Conference
Appalachian Athletic Conference
The Appalachian Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference that competes in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Division II competition. Members of the conference are located in the Southeast United States in Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia...
in nine sports programs, the school competes in the Mid-South Conference
Mid-South Conference
The Mid-South Conference is an athletic conference affiliated with the NAIA. Member institutions are located in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. It is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky....
in football under head coach Dewey Lusk.
As of 2006, the Highland Cavaliers' football team was ranked in the top 25 schools in the NAIA, and ranked #1 in total offense in all of the NAIA. The football team plays its home games at Carl Smith Stadium
Carl Smith Stadium
Beaty–Richmond Field at Carl Smith Stadium is a 3,086-capacity stadium in Wise, Virginia used mostly by the UVa. Wise Highland Cavaliers football team....
. Many students and alumni also follow the Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia Cavaliers
The Virginia Cavaliers, also known as Wahoos or Hoos, are the athletic teams officially representing the University of Virginia in college sports. The Cavaliers compete in 25 NCAA Division I varsity sports and are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
athletic teams.