University Official Wins UVA Wise Award

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer J.J. Wagner Davis on Friday was named the recipient of this year’s Crockett Award in recognition of efforts that strengthen the relationship between the University of Virginia and the College at Wise.

The annual award is named after Samuel R. Crockett Jr. who helped create a division of the University in Wise in 1954 while serving as the UVA Extension representative in Southwest Virginia.

In remarks to the UVA Board of Visitors, UVA Wise Chancellor Donna Price Henry said Davis has embraced opportunities to collaborate with leaders at Wise since she joined UVA in 2018. Davis and Henry led a joint planning group that identified ways for UVA and UVA Wise to work together on strategic initiatives.

“The roadmap created through these working groups continues to serve us well,” Henry said.

She also said Davis was a “steadying force and tremendous resource for leadership” during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping navigate operational challenges and implement testing so UVA Wise could safely reopen on-campus classes in the fall of 2020.

Henry credited Davis and her team for helping UVA Wise manage important leadership transitions in its finance and operations areas, and in its legislative liaison role.

“Finally, J.J.’s exceptional and detailed work helping us to examine and effectively set and utilize our tuition, both in-state and out-of-state, has been invaluable as the college continues to execute its strategic plan for the benefit of our region and the commonwealth,” Henry said during the board meeting announcement.

Previous Crockett Award recipients have included President Jim Ryan, Vice President for Advancement Mark Luellen, Vice President for Communications and Chief Marketing Officer David Martel, Senior Vice President for Operations and State Government Relations Colette Sheehy, and Associate University Counsel Barry Meek.

The Crockett Award is created from Gladeville stone and wood preserved from Crockett Hall during its renovation. Crockett Hall is one of two original buildings at the college