Sprinkle Inauguration WCC

WCC Mission Statement Wytheville Community College is committed to providing access to lifelong learning within an environment of academic excellence. WCC Values WCC’s commitment to its mission and to the community it serves is anchored in the values shared by the students, staff, faculty, administration, and College Board. These individuals, by becoming a part of the college community, obligate themselves to act in a manner consistent with those shared values and their associated commitments. The WCC college community values: • Quality Education And Performance • Building Of Community • Accessibility • Community Partnerships • Public Trust • The Worth, Dignity and Potential of Individuals WCC Vision Wytheville Community College will be a recognized educational leader and partner, with student learning and teaching excellence being our highest priorities. We will advance these priorities by committing ourselves to unsurpassed student service, support, and satisfaction and to personal and professional employee growth. As a community partner, we will share resources to provide opportunities for lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and economic advancement in our region.

History of Wytheville Community College In 1962, a steering committee composed of area citizens was organized to obtain support for a college in Wytheville. After approval by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the General Assembly, the Wythe County-owned Simmerman Building was chosen as the first site of the college. Wytheville Community College welcomed its first students in September 1963, as a two-year branch of Virginia Tech. During its first year of operation, the college enrolled 107 students and employed five full-time faculty members. The Virginia Community College System was established during the 1966 session of the General Assembly. WCC became a member of the system on July 1, 1967. In the first year of its operation, the college’s enrollment rose to 837 and the number of full-time faculty members increased to 21. The college’s enrollment for 2015-16 was 3,900, with more than 40 full-time and 140 adjunct faculty. WCC also employs 26 administrators, 36 full-time support staff, and 46 part-time employees. Acquisition of property for the permanent site began in 1965, when a tract of 103 acres was purchased. The site, acquired from the Wytheville Knitting Mill Corporation, was purchased by the County of Wythe and the Town of Wytheville. Approximately three additional acres adjoining the campus on the east were purchased by the college in 1975. In 1979, the State Board for Community Colleges approved a gift of land (approximately 42 acres). The first building on the permanent site, Fincastle Hall, was occupied in September of 1968. Bland Hall, which now houses primarily the college’s administrative offices, and Carroll Hall, a classroom building, were occupied during the 1970-71 academic year. A nursing and allied health building, Galax Hall, was completed in the spring of 1973. An occupational-technical building, Grayson Hall, was dedicated in the spring of 1985. Smyth Hall, the college’s learning resource center, was completed and dedicated in the spring of 1998. To increase access to college programs and services, WCC opened the Smyth County Education Center in Atkins, VA, in January 1991, and the Galax Education Center in Galax, VA, in December 1992. Following enrollment growth in the Twin County region, WCC transitioned operations from the Galax Education Center to leased space in the Crossroads Institute in Galax in March 2005. Through a partnership with Virginia Highlands Community College designed to expand services to residents of Smyth County, in August 2015 WCC transitioned operations from the Smyth County Education Center to the Summit Center for Higher Education. The Summitt Center is housed in the recently-renovated 1908 Marion Schoolhouse in downtown Marion, VA.

Program Musical Prelude..............................................................Brenda Wittwer Classical Pianist Processional....................................................................Brenda Wittwer Academic Procession......................................Marshal: Charlie White, Sixth President of Wytheville Community College Presentation of Colors....................Carroll County Junior R.O.T.C. & Wythe County Junior R.O.T.C. The National Anthem..................................................Cynthia Jackson, Wytheville Community College Community Choir Director Welcome...........................................................Roger Thompson, Chair Wytheville Community College Board Introductions.................................................Rhonda K. Catron-Wood Vice President of College Development Remarks from WCC Faculty.........................................Sherrie Phillips President of Faculty Assembly Remarks from WCC Staff...........................................Karen Alexander President of Support Staff Assembly Remarks from WCC Student Representative..........Matthew Wilson, Valley Proteins Fellow Scholarship Recipient Installation Ceremony................................Glenn DuBois, Chancellor Virginia Community College System Inaugural Address......................................Dean E. Sprinkle, President Wytheville Community College Closing Remarks...........................................Rhonda K. Catron-Wood Recessional......................................................................Brenda Wittwer Please join us for a reception immediately following the ceremony.

Presidential Profile

Dr. Dean E. Sprinkle

While working as a Staff Psychologist in a mental health system, a role in higher education was not on Dr. Sprinkle’s list of career choices. However, he became aware of and pursued an opportunity to work as a counselor at a local community college. This counselor position with the Student Support Services (SSS) program at Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, NC, allowed him to experience working with first generation college students, students who have a disability, and those from low income families. “Making the decision to apply for that job was one of the two best career decisions I have made,” Sprinkle said. “I was able to apply the knowledge and skills from my training in psychology in support of individuals who were pursuing their educational goals. It was a perfect job for me.” Like many who change careers, Sprinkle realized that he would need to “re-tool” for his new work environment. This led to furthering his education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he earned a doctorate in curriculum and instruction, with a focus in administration in higher education. Returning to school while working full-time, raising a family, and being a first generation college student himself, reinforced the importance of the community college mission. “It is important to keep in mind,” Sprinkle said, “that

community colleges serve a wide range of individuals, from high school students who are concurrently enrolled in college courses to those who have jobs and families. All have different needs and require different levels of support to help them be successful.” From the SSS counselor position, Sprinkle continued his career at Wilkes Community College, serving in a variety of roles that would eventually prepare him to serve in his current role as a community college president. These roles included College Transfer Counselor, Institutional Effectiveness Officer, Dean of Student Services, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services, and Senior Vice President of Instruction. He also served as the college’s institutional liaison with the institution’s regional accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Sprinkle noted that “the other great career decision I have made was to apply for the position of president at Wytheville Community College. This college, and those who serve here, live the college mission of ‘providing access to lifelong learning within an environment of academic excellence,’ as well as embodying the stated college value of believing in and valuing ‘the worth, dignity and potential of individuals.’ Wytheville Community College is the perfect place for me to serve.” Dr. Sprinkle and his wife Janie were both raised in North Carolina and have been married for 35 years. They have two sons. John and his wife Stephanie reside in Raleigh, N.C., while Nicholson and his wife Paige reside in Greensboro, N.C.

Delegates of Colleges and Universities

1749 Washington and Lee University The Hon. Daniel W. Bird, Jr., Alumnus 1819 University of Virginia Dr. Steven Eric Laymon, Dean, School of Continuing & Professional Studies 1891 Randolph College Dr. Wesley R. Fugate, Vice President and Chief of Staff 1903 Lindsey Wilson College Dr. Richard Carroll, Assistant Professor 1903 Lynchburg College Ms. Rita Detwiler, Vice President for Enrollment Management 1908 James Madison University Dr. Marlon A. Goad, DDS, Alumnus 1910 Radford University Dr. Dennis Owen Grady, Dean, College of Graduate Studies and Research 1922 Bluefield College Ms. Sherelle Morgan, Director of Online Admissions 1930 Old Dominion University Ms. Terri Wheaton, Regional and Student Success Director 1962 Patrick Henry Community College Dr. Angeline D. Godwin, President 1962 Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Dr. John J. Rainone, President 1964 Southwestern Community College Dr. Mark Ellison, Director of Student Support Services 1964 Western Piedmont Community College Dr. Michael S. Helmick, President 1965 Central Virginia Community College Dr. Ruth Hendrick, Vice President of Workforce Solutions and Community Education 1966 Virginia Western Community College Dr. Elizabeth Wilmer, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs 1967 Blue Ridge Community College Dr. Bob Young, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services 1967 John Tyler Community College Dr. Edward E. Raspiller, President 1967 Montgomery Community College Dr. Chad A. Bledsoe. President 1967 Southwest Virginia Community College Dr. Mark Estepp, President

Delegates of Colleges and Universities

Institutions Sending Greetings College of William and Mary, President Taylor Reveley, III Eastern Mennonite University, Interim President Lee F. Snyder Emory & Henry College, President Jake B. Schrum Hampden-Sydney College, President Larry Stimpert James Madision University, President Jonathan R. Alger Old Dominion University, President John R. Broderick Randolph College, President Bradley W. Bateman Randolph-Macon College, President Robert R. Lindgren Roanoke College, President Michael C. Maxey Sweet Briar College, President Phillip C. Stone The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Chancellor Donna Price Henry Virginia Commonwealth University, President Michael Rao 1971 Germanna Community College Dr. John M. Davis, Interim Vice President 1972 Piedmont Virginia Community College Dr. Frank Friedman, President 1972 J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Dr. Ghazala Hashmi, Coordinator, Center for Faculty Engagement 1972 Mountain Empire Community College Dr. Ronald Vicars, Vice President of Financial and Administrative Services 1982 Jefferson College of Health Sciences Mr. Erik W. Williams, Director of Development & WCC Alumnus 1967 Thomas Nelson Community College Dr. John T. Dever, President 1969 Virginia Highlands Community College Dr. Gene C. Couch, Jr., President 1969 New River Community College Dr. Pat Huber, Vice President for Instruction and Student Services 1970 Paul D. Camp Community College Dr. Daniel William Lufkin, President 1970 Southside Virginia Community College Dr. Alfred Allison Roberts, President 1970 Rappahannock Community College Ms. Patricia Mullins, Dean, Warsaw Campus 1971 Eastern Shore Community College Dr. Kimberly Ann Britt, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Averett University, President Tiffany M. Franks Bluefield College, President David W. Olive

The ceremonial mace, with its medieval origin, symbolizes the academic authority of the faculty. It is used for ceremonial occasions such as commencement exercises and presidential inaugurations. WCC’s sixth President, Charlie White, will lead the inaugural procession and carry the ceremonial mace. WCC’s mace was designed and machined by Don Alexander, retired Associate Professor of Machine Technology, in the college's Machine Technology Laboratory. The Ceremonial Mace Academic Regalia American academic costumes originated during the Middle Ages in European universities. Students and teachers were set apart from other citizens by the gowns and hoods which were practical attire in cold, damp buildings. The basic parts of the costume vary by academic level. The ornamental fold of cloth worn around the neck, the hood, is the most distinctive feature of the costume. The colors of its velvet band and lining are representative of the wearer’s field of learning. Color Code For Academic Hoods Arts, Letters, Humanities White Business, Accountancy Light Brown Economics Copper Education Light Blue Engineering Orange Fine Arts Brown Home Economics Maroon Journalism Crimson Law Purple Library Science Lemon Music Pink Nursing Apricot Philosophy Dark Blue Physical Education Sage Green Public Administration Peacock Blue Public Health Salmon Pink Science Golden Yellow Social Work Citron Theology Scarlet Veterinary Science Gray The Presidential Medallion A medallion is given to a new president to represent the transfer of the responsibility of office and an obligation to promote and maintain the values represented by the institution. A tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages, a medallion is worn by the president on ceremonial occasions as part of his/her regalia to represent the authority and responsibilities vested by the Chancellor and the State Board for Community Colleges.

The State Board for Community Colleges James Cuthbertson, Chair Eleanor Saslaw, Vice Chair Dr. Glenn DuBois, Secretary Carolyn Berkowitz

Dr. Nathaniel Bishop Dr. Thomas Brewster David E. Broder Benita Thompson Byas Darren Conner Idalia Fernandez Douglas M. Garcia Dr. Susan Tinsley Gooden

William C. Hall, Jr. Dr. Joseph Smiddy Senator Walter Stosch Robin Sullenberger The Wytheville Community College Board Roger Thompson, Chair, County of Bland John R. “Robbie” Doyle, Vice Chair, County of Smyth Dr. Walter Barton, M.D., County of Wythe Charles Clatterbuck, County of Smyth Richard “Dick” Dalton, County of Carroll Jerry Hurt, County of Wythe Travis Jackson, County of Wythe Dr. Oliver McBride, County of Carroll Danny McDaniel, County of Wythe Janet Nuckolls, City of Galax Charles Smith, County of Grayson Phylip Snapp, County of Wythe Robert “Robby” Wingate, County of Grayson

The Wytheville Community College Educational Foundation, Inc. Board Cameron Wolfe, President, County of Smyth Marion Alderman, Vice President, County of Carroll Crystal Y. Cregger, Treasurer, Wytheville Community College Dr. Dean E. Sprinkle, Secretary, Wytheville Community College

Thomas Anders, County of Wythe Ricky Anderson, County of Grayson Larry Corvin, County of Wythe Dr. Teresa Galyean, WCC Faculty and Staff Ed Hanks, City of Galax William R. “Bobby” Horton, City of Galax Tommy Hundley, County of Wythe Robert Kegley, County of Wythe Dot Kidd, County of Bland Danny McDaniel, County of Wythe

J.L. Reedy, County of Grayson Ed Stringer, County of Smyth Dr. Dennis R. Throckmorton, D.D.S., County of Wythe Mava Vass, County of Carroll Lorraine Waddle, County of Bland

The Wytheville Community College Scholarship Foundation, Inc. Board J. David Vaughan, President, City of Galax Brad Snapp, Vice President, County of Wythe Mark Mabry, Treasuer, County of Wythe Kathy Havens, County of Bland Travis Jackson, County of Wythe Colene Kilgore, WCC Faculty and Staff Margaret Peel, County of Wythe Carl Richardson, County of Grayson Jeff Richardson, County of Smyth Vacant, County of Carroll Dr. Dean E. Sprinkle, Secretary, Wytheville Community College Dr. Richard “Dickie” Copenhaver, D.D.S., County of Wythe

Past Presidents of Wytheville Community College Dr. J. Wade Gilley 1967-1972 Dr. Laurence V. Lauth 1972-1980 Dr. William F. Snyder 1980-2000 Dr. Ann E. Alexander 2001-2005 Dr. Edwin L. Barnes 2005-2006 Dr. Charlie White 2006-2015