UVA Wise Alumni Establish New On-Campus Scholarship Fund
Three alumni of UVA Wise have turned their memories of living on campus into a first-of-its kind scholarship aimed to help students offset on-campus residential costs.
The Crockett Hall Unity Scholarship Fund was established by Marion “Moe” W. Smith ’73, John L. Sabo ’74 and Stephen D. Curran ’75. The trio attended the College when it was Clinch Valley College and lived in Crockett Hall, then a men’s dormitory that turned co-ed before becoming an administrative building.
Crockett Hall was the College’s first building when it was founded in 1954. Currently, it houses the offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, Cashier, Registrar and Advising. It’s significance to the College remains today. Highland Cavaliers gathered for the annual “Lighting of Crockett Hall,” Tuesday night to celebrate the holiday season.
“These three alumni established the scholarship to honor the incredible camaraderie, fellowship, sense of belonging and unity of its diverse residents that they and fellow members enjoyed. The legacy of Crockett Hall will live on in this endowed scholarship in perpetuity,” said UVA Wise Vice Chancellor of Advancement & Alumni Engagement Valerie Lawson.
The “Unity” theme is inspired by the way Crockett Hall brought together three men from different backgrounds (Appalachian Hungarian Cherokee, African American, and an international student from Germany) to become life-long friends and the College’s ability to do the same for so many other students like them. The impetus for the scholarship came four to five years ago after the three went on a campus tour to see the College’s new library.
“These guys know me better than my blood brothers, and we refer to each other as brothers,” Smith said. “We decided to take this experience we had together, growing up and developing into the people we are, to establish the Crockett Hall Fund.”
Each of the three alumni initially donated $10,000 to start the fund whose goal is to raise $100,000.
“This endowed scholarship will continue to grow over the years and the impact in 10 to 20 years will be transformational,” Lawson said.
It will help students pay for living-on-campus costs, including room and board fees. Curran said he hopes the fund will help students have that same kind of transformational on-campus experience they did.
“Staying on campus you learn a lot. It’s a great experience and we hope future students will share that as well,” Curran said.
Once fully realized, the fund will provide scholarships for students based on both academic merit and financial need. The scholarships will give preference to students who demonstrate leadership abilities and dedication to building a strong community. Students involved in clubs, organizations, sports, student government or community service will be sought out.
Smith, a retired educator who began his career in Wise County, eventually worked for many years in Richmond, Va., where he was honored as Teacher of the Year in 2000.
Also a retired math teacher, Curran is perhaps best known as the voice of UVA Wise as the on air (radio and streaming) announcer for the College’s football, softball and basketball games.
Sabo has taught everything from French, English and physics, and serves as educator and coach. He is the winningest coach in Single A softball in the state with more than 600 wins.
To make gifts to UVA Wise, checks should be made payable to the UVA Wise Foundation and sent to UVA Wise Foundation, 1 College Avenue, Wise, VA 24293 or gifts can be made online at: giving.virginia.edu/wise. In the “In Honor Of” section, note that your gift is for the Crockett Hall Unity Scholarship.
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