Wytheville Community College Commencement Program 2024

Mr. Arthur Davis Professor Emeritus

Mr. Arthur “Art” Davis has been selected as Professor Emeritus of Wytheville Community College for 2024. This honor may be bestowed on retired WCC faculty members who held faculty rank, had a minimum of ten years of service, and made meritorious and significant contributions to the college. Mr. Davis earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Adams State College of Colorado in 1974. He later earned a Master’s Degree in 1975, also from Adams State College of Colorado. Additionally, Mr. Davis served as a member of the United States Army for over thirty-eight years and earned several medals during his service. He retired from service in 2008 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Mr. Davis was a member of the WCC family for more than three decades. His career as a WCC faculty member spanned from September of 1981 until his retirement in June of 2002. He was the recipient of the Improvement of Instruction Award in 2002. During Mr. Davis’ tenure at WCC, he demonstrated a passion for the Business Management program. He served as the faculty advisor for the program, frequently traveling to area schools to promote it. Mr. Davis was also the sponsor for the Phi Beta Lambda chapter at WCC, and it grew to be biggest chapter in the state of Virginia. Perhaps most notably, he enlisted his students in area fundraising projects as a component of his marketing classes to teach them key business principles while also aiding the local community. Many examples of their notable fundraising exist, but perhaps most impressive is Mr. Davis’ investment in the planning of the athletic fields on campus. While he was serving in active military duty, Mr. Davis was instrumental in commissioning the design and construction of the Al Jennings Athletic Fields by the United States Army’s 760th Engineering Company. After his students raised funds for a new redwood sign, Mr. Davis hauled stone to campus and he and his brother donated their time to build the base for the sign as it stands today. His Business Seminar class also conducted studies demonstrating the need for a childcare center in the area, which aided Dr. Snyder in getting a childcare center added to the Wytheville Wellness Center. The college is pleased to honor Mr. Art Davis for his years of dedicated service to the students, faculty, and staff of WCC. Mr. Davis also helped establish the “Jennings Family Scholarship Fund” that honors Al Jennings and his family for their contributions to WCC and the community.