Wytheville Community College 2025 Annual Report

HONORING FRIENDS & LOVED ONES

WILLIAM M. DIXON, JR. EDUCATIONAL ENDOWMENT This endowment was established on August 23, 2021, by Mr. and Mrs. William M. Dixon, Jr. Bill joined the WCC administration in 1976 as Dean of Finance and worked at the college until his retirement as Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services in 2003. During his tenure at WCC, Bill also served as the Treasurer of the WCC Educational Foundation, Inc. from 1981-2003 and as a member of its Board of Directors from 1991-2003. Bill was the recipient of the Wytheville Community College Distinguished Service Award in 2000 and the WCC Improvement of Administration Award in the same year. He was named to the College Board in 2003 and was reappointed to a second term in 2008. He was elected Chair of the College Board in 2006. He received the VCCS Chairman’s Award for Exemplary Board Service in 2012. Bill also led WCC’s 50th Anniversary Campaign that raised $1.5 million to support the college. Bill and his wife, Rita, were the recipients of the “2013 VCCS Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy Award” for their very generous support of the WCC Educational Foundation. BEAR FAMILY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP This scholarship was established in December 2022 by Dr. Pat Huber and Mr. Peter Huber in memory of David and Charmie Bear and in honor and memory of their descendants who are alumni, retirees, and friends of WCC. The scholarship provides financial assistance to students who are residents of Smyth or Wythe counties. YP AND TRUDY HWU SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT This scholarship was established in December 2020 by Peter Wang, George Wythe High School graduate, in honor of his uncle and aunt. Both YP and Trudy cared deeply about student learning and were dedicated educators throughout their careers. YP was Professor of Physics at WCC from 1964 until his retirement in 1994. In 1991, YP was the first professor from WCC to receive the prestigious “Outstanding Faculty Award” from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Trudy Hwu taught physics and mathematics at Fort Chiswell High School from 1965 to 1992, except for 1973-1974, when she taught at George Wythe High School. This scholarship provides financial assistance to deserving students who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) program and meet other established criteria. DR. PALMER FANT SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT This scholarship was established in partnership with the Twin County Community Foundation and Dr. John W. “Jay” Bolen in honor of Dr. Palmer Fant. Dr. Fant served as a radiologist in the Galax area for many years. During his career, he also held the position of Chief of Staff of Twin County Community Hospital. Dr. Palmer Fant was a graduate of the Medical College of South Carolina. The scholarship provides awards to WCC students who are enrolled in healthcare and medical programs and who are from the Twin County area (Grayson County, the City of Galax, and Carroll County). JENNINGS FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP FUND The “Jennings Family Scholarship Fund” was established in January 2024 by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Davis and friends of the Jennings Family in memory of WCC retiree Allen P. ”Al” Jennings and his siblings. Al Jennings, better known as “Coach,” served as Associate Professor of Physical Education at WCC from 1979 to 1999; he taught Health and Physical Education courses and founded the college’s intramural sports and activities program. Al’s siblings—Ben, Marshall, Porter, John, Don, Fred, June, Katherine, and Carolyn— were also well-known in the Fries community. In addition to donations, the sale of Al’s book entitled Saturday, My Day to Wear the Underwear , has helped fund this scholarship for students from the Fries community and Grayson County to attend WCC. Copies of the book are still available; contact the WCC Educational Foundation for information. HONORABLE DANIEL “DANNY” WOODROW BIRD, JR. SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT This endowment was established in November 2023 by the Honorable Daniel Woodrow Bird, Jr. Danny was raised on a dairy farm in Bland, Virginia. He became an attorney, judge, and politician. He practiced law in Wytheville, Virginia, for close to three decades and served as a judge in Virginia’s 27th Judicial Circuit for nearly as long. He also served in the Virginia State Senate from 1976 to 1992. This scholarship will provide awards for WCC students who are residents of Bland or Wythe counties. JOSEPH “JOE” HILLMAN SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT This scholarship was established by Joe’s mother, Sadie Hillman, in November 2019. Mr. Hillman graduated from Bluefield High School. Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, Mr. Hillman embarked on what would become a 40-year career in the railroad industry with Norfolk Southern. The scholarship provides financial assistance to WCC students enrolled in Occupational/ Technical Programs.

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