Wytheville Community College 2025 Annual Report

CULTURE AND COMMUNITY The WCC Choir was established in 2013. Since then, the choir has performed several major choral compositions such as Messiah by Handel, Gloria by Vivaldi, Magnificat and Gloria by John Rutter, Requiem by Mark Hayes, Requiem for the Living by Dan Forrest, Dark Night of the Soul and Luminous Night of the Soul by Ola Gjeilo, and the Virginia premiere of Jubilate Deo by Dan Forrest. The choir has performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City with members of the New York Symphony Orchestra. They have also performed with the Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra. Mrs. Cynthia Jackson is the choir’s director. In June 2023, Jackson received WCC’s Distinguished Service Award that recognizes individuals who have given the college exceptional service, other than teaching, in a manner that is beyond normal expectations and above specific monetary compensation. The Wytheville Community College Concert Band was formed in 1989 under the direction of Dr. Jack White. White was Director of Bands at Elon College from 1962 until his retirement in 1986. Before going to Elon, White had been a very successful high school band director in Southwest Virginia, including service at George Wythe High School in the 1950’s. During his tenure as the band’s director, White was the recipient of the WCC Distinguished Service Award. He was named Director Emeritus of the WCC Concert Band in 2012. Over the years, the WCC Concert Band has welcomed participants of all ages and skill levels, including college students, alumni, and local residents. Mr. Dan Wilner, an award-winning band director at George Wythe High School, currently directs the band and continues the tradition of fostering collaboration between college musicians and community members. The Wytheville Community College Theatre Group , under the direction of theater director Robert Burnett, brings together local community members and college students to create dynamic, engaging performances. Each year, the group presents two full-length plays, ranging from classic works to contemporary pieces. Rehearsals are held on campus and emphasize collaboration, creativity, and skill-building for actors of all experience levels. The productions are staged in the college’s Snyder Auditorium and are open to the public. The group fosters an artistic community and a shared love of the performing arts.

WCC TURNS 60 YEARS YOUNG! Wytheville Community College (WCC) celebrated its 60th Anniversary with a Gala on August 26, 2023, with 175 guests in attendance. The event began with a reception and slide show of historical photos, followed by a program and dinner. Dr. Dean Sprinkle, WCC President, welcomed guests, including numerous alumni, retirees, current faculty and staff, and current and former members of the WCC College Board, Educational Foundation and Scholarship Foundation Boards of Directors. WCC opened its doors on September 19, 1963, as a branch of Virginia Tech, with 107 students enrolled. Classes were first offered in the Simmerman Building in downtown Wytheville. In 1967, the Virginia Community College System was established, and WCC became a part of that system. There was plenty to celebrate at the Gala event as six decades later, WCC’s Wytheville campus now includes six buildings, and there are two off site locations: WCC at Crossroads in Galax and WCC at the Henderson in Marion. Additionally, WCC WEST (Workforce, Education, and Skills Training) serves as a workforce training center in Marion. To date, WCC has helped more than 220,000 students achieve their educational goals.

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