Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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Harvester adds Morgan Wade, Everclear to lineup
Country singer and Floyd native Morgan Wade will perform two solo acoustic shows at the Harvester Performance Center next month, while the ’90s alt-rock band Everclear takes the stage at the Rocky Mount venue in September.
Wade will perform May 15 and 16. Both shows begin at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $52 and go on sale Wednesday at 10 a.m.
Everclear takes the stage Sept. 27, joined by special guests Marcy Playground and Jimmie’s Chicken Shack. Tickets start at $83 and go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.
Tickets and more information are at harvester-music.com.
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Averett, UVA Wise, Appalachian College of Pharmacy announce commencement speakers
Three colleges in Southwest and Southside have announced their spring commencement speakers.
Retired NASA pioneer Gregory Robinson will deliver Averett University’s commencement address, while Chuck Slemp, chief deputy attorney general for Virginia, will speak at the ceremony for the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. Jim McGlothlin, chairman of The United Company, will be the featured speaker at the Appalachian College of Pharmacy ceremony.
Robinson, who was born in Danville and grew up in Pittsylvania County, earned a Master of Science degree in business administration from Averett in 1993. He’s best-known as the turnaround leader of the James Webb Space Telescope, and in 2022 was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People and the Federal Employee of the Year. He was also an Averett Distinguished Alumni Award recipient in 2023.
He will speak at 10 a.m. May 4 at Daly Field in the Frank R. Campbell Stadium.
Slemp is a 2003 graduate of UVA Wise who grew up in Lee County. Before becoming chief deputy attorney general in 2022, he was the commonwealth’s attorney for Wise County and Norton. He also worked as the commissioner of accounts for the Circuit Court of Wise County, the Virginia Court of Appeals and the Office of Attorney General. For five years, he owned his own law practice.
UVA Wise will hold its commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. May 11 at the David J. Prior Convocation Center.
McGlothlin received his undergraduate and law degrees from the College of William & Mary. He practiced law in his hometown of Grundy until 1970, when he became a founding partner of United Coal Company, which was later merged into The United Company. His newest venture is the partnership with Hard Rock that has brought a casino and resort to Bristol.
The Appalachian College of Pharmacy will host its commencement on May 4 in the ACP gymnasium.
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RISE Business Pitch Competition now accepting entries
The RISE Business Pitch Competition, a funding competition for entrepreneurs in Southside, is now accepting applications for the 2024 program.
Participants can pitch for a chance to win funding to start or expand their businesses. The competition will take place June 26 at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center in South Boston. Applications will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. May 10.
More information and an application link are online.