Endowed Scholarships

Each spring, UVA Wise hosts the annual Spring Scholarship Luncheon where students meet their scholarship donors, enjoy conversations over a delicious meal, and celebrate the impact of scholarships.

UVA Wise is pleased to announce the following newly endowed scholarship funds as well as the donors who have made them possible.

2024 Newly Endowed Scholarship Funds

Fifteen New Endowed Scholarship Funds and One New Endowed Operational Fund were announced at the 2024 Scholarship Luncheon

The ATCB Alumni Association Scholarship will provide need-based scholarships to students who are worthy and deserving with preference for students who are relatives of those who attended Appalachia Training School, Central High School, the James Bland Schools, or other high schools in Southwest Virginia that have served student populations that were historically underrepresented in college admissions. If no student meets this criterion, scholarships may be awarded to students whose gender, race, ethnicity, cultural, educational, financial, and/or national background contribute to the diversity of the student body. 

The Joseph E. Baylor and Kathy L. Baylor Leadership Scholarship was established in 2023 by Jeffrey and Lalaine Baylor in honor of their parents whose commitment to their children's education changed the trajectory of their lives, providing purpose and a path for happiness for future generations. The scholarship will be awarded to worthy and deserving students with preference for students who wish to live on campus to better serve in a student leadership capacity.

The Boggs Family Scholarship was established through an estate plan to provide scholarships for worthy and deserving students who have a declared major and are pursuing studies in Nursing, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Medical, or Psychiatry. Preference will be given to residents of Southwest Virginia.

The Martha A. Carter Bicentennial Scholarship was established by alumna Martha Carter who graduated in 1972. The Carter Bicentennial Scholarship will be awarded to students who are from far Southwest Virginia (defined as the seven counties and one city closest to the College), especially Wise County, and who have an interest in pursuing a career in the library media area. 

The Gage Clark Football Scholarship was established by Gage’s grandparents, Diane S. Collins and Bobby Collins. Gage graduated from Tuscaloosa County High School in Tuscaloosa, AL. He came to UVA Wise to pursue a degree and was a valued member of the Highland Cavaliers Football team until his untimely passing. Gage was well respected and appreciated by his teammates and classmates for his uplifting personality and caring nature. Gage touched the lives of his peers, coaches, and faculty during his brief time at the College and will be deeply missed. 

The England Brothers Golf Bicentennial Scholarship, honoring Nick’s two brothers, Daniel and Jack, will be awarded to students who participate on the men’s intercollegiate golf team with preference for students who reside within a three-hour radius of the College.

The Nick England Foundation Golf Bicentennial Scholarship, honoring the Board members of the England Foundation, will be awarded to students who participate on the men’s intercollegiate golf team with preference for students who reside within a three-hour radius of the College.

The Bob & Judy England Golf Bicentennial Scholarship, honoring Nick’s paternal grandparents, will be awarded to students who participate on the men’s or women’s intercollegiate golf teams with preference to students who reside within a three-hour radius of the College, which defines the College’s immediate service area.

The Jim and Jane Hughes Golf Bicentennial Scholarship, honoring Nick’s maternal grandparents, will be awarded to students who participate on the men’s or women’s intercollegiate golf teams with preference to students who reside within a three-hour radius of the College, which defines the College’s immediate service area.

The Phyllis P. Hatcher Scholarship was established by Phyllis’s husband, Lu Ellsworth, in concert with her son, Scott, and her daughter, Hunter. Phyllis was a proud member of the Clinch Valley College Class of 1975. She served two terms as President of our Alumni Association. The arts were also important to her and she led the Pro-Art Association as President and Board member for decades. The Phyllis P. Hatcher Scholarship will provide scholarship support to undergraduate and graduate students who are in good academic standing and who are pursuing a degree in the field of education or the performing arts. 

The Thurston and Mary Ann Rose Football Scholarship was established by alumni Mary Ann and Thurston Rose who are members of the Class of 1963. Mary Ann served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors for many years, including a term as President and Thurston served on the Highland Cavalier Club Board. Mary Ann and Thurston established this scholarship to ensure their longstanding support of the football program continues in perpetuity.  Scholarships will be awarded to members of the football team with preference for those from Dickenson County and Wise County, and next, to those from Southwest Virginia. 

The Pat H. Stallard & Joseph L. Stallard Bicentennial Scholarship was established in 2023 by Pat H. Stallard. The scholarship will be awarded to worthy and deserving undergraduate students who are from far Southwest Virginia.

The Thompson Family Bicentennial Scholarship was established in 2024 by Prentice Thompson. The scholarship will be awarded to worthy and deserving students who reside within a three-hour radius of the College at Wise, which defines the College’s immediate service area. 

The Paul Varson Memorial Bicentennial Scholarship was established in 2023 by Chances Kelly Varson, in honor and memory of her beloved husband, Paul. The Fund will provide scholarships to undergraduate students with preference given to the most financially deserving students who reside within a 3-hour radius of the College at Wise. In addition to Virginia, this includes parts of West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina.

The Eddie Watson and Debra Dickerson Watson Bicentennial Scholarship was established by alumni Eddie and Debra Watson. The fund will be awarded to need-based undergraduate and graduate students who are participating on an intercollegiate athletic team. Preference will be given to students from Lee or Dickenson counties.

The Rapha Foundation Nursing Fund for Excellence will provide operational support for the repair and replacement of equipment for our growing nursing program. 

UVA Wise is pleased to announce the 2024 Tice Total Achievement Awards. The awards are presented to students who honor and encourage family values, community service, cooperation, creativity and scholarship. Students displaying these qualities are nominated by College faculty and staff members and selected by the Tice Award Committee. The award is made possible through a generous endowment created by Dr. Frederick Gordon Tice, a 1939 alumnus of the University of Virginia.

Tice Total Achievement Recipients

• Connor D. Blevins is a sophomore majoring in Sociology and Political Science with a minor in Philosophy, Policy and Law. He is an active member of the Student Government Association. With guidance and support from the Office of Student Engagement, Connor established the Unite Club, which is a branch of Operation Unite based in Kentucky and is the College’s first out-of-state club. Unite is an acronym for Unlawful Narcotics Investigation Treatment and Education. Connor is planning a multi-day event to bring drug and alcohol awareness education to the students through fun activities. Connor is an active member of the Track & Field program. He says he is eager to continue to serve the UVA Wise campus and community in the years to come.
• Layne E. Bush is a senior majoring in Chemistry, with minors in Biology and Appalachian Studies. Layne has held student leadership positions including Junior Senator on the Student Government Association, Co-Chair of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee and Treasurer of the UVA Wise Chapter of the American Chemical Society. Layne serves as the social media intern for the Graduate Medical Education Consortium. Through the Future Professionals Club and GMEC, Layne works with the Community Nourishment Project to provide community members with fresh produce and canned goods, activities such as crafts for children, and medical education and resources for those in need. After graduation, Layne plans to attend medical school to become a doctor and further serve Appalachia and its residents. 
• Emily F. Conn is a senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Communications. She is a member of the Highland Cavaliers Tennis team, is one of the College’s representatives on the State Council of Higher Education for the Virginia Student Advisory Committee, and serves as a co-chair under Diversity Equity and Inclusion with a focus on accessibility. She is also part of the Association on Higher Education and Disability, Circle K International, and the Peake Honors Program. She has participated in the service project Operation Christmas Child, providing meals for those in need across the world; she has assisted in the Town of Wise Christmas parade; and she plans to continue to serve as a Peer Mentor to aid first-year students as they begin their college careers. Emily plans to attend graduate school to pursue a career as an occupational therapist.
• Lauren E. Montes is a junior majoring in Business. She is a member of the women’s volleyball team. As a volley team member, Lauren has had the opportunity to provide service through several initiatives including the Operation Christmas Child program, Heritage Hall Nursing Home, Kids Central Inc., and Wise Primary School. In her hometown in Texas, Lauren has helped with the annual Braden Aboud Memorial Walk, has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, and has enjoyed supporting her community with local food and fund drives. Over winter and summer breaks, she coaches club volleyball for 8-year-olds. Lauren plans to pursue a master's in marketing and to eventually lead a full-service marketing team.
• Nia N. Rogers is a senior majoring in Business Administration. Nia is dedicated to her community and has volunteered through the PATH organization, a nonprofit focusing to improve the quality of life for citizens in the Northern Virginia region. She is in her second year as a Resident Assistant, overseeing 20-plus residents. Known for being the first in line to encourage friends who face adversity, she has been a pivotal and valuable member on the track and field team. She has developed into a strong source of knowledge for her teammates and residents, which has earned the respect of all who interact with her. Nia is also a Student Assistant in the Office of Advancement & Alumni Engagement, assigned to Alumni Hall for the past three years. Following graduation in 2025, Nia plans a career in Public Relations.