Here’s a roundup of education briefs from around Southwest and Southside:
Lawson named police chief at Wytheville Community College
Wytheville Community College has hired Brian Lawson to be the new Chief of Police. Lawson will supervise the WCC Police Department. The department was established several years ago to provide increased campus security at the college’s Wytheville, Galax, and Marion locations.
Prior to joining WCC, Lawson served as an investigator with the Bland County Sheriff’s Office and has previously held many roles in the Wythe County Sheriff’s Department including Patrol Division Supervisor, Patrol Team Supervisor, Tactical Team Commander, Training Coordinator, Criminal Investigator and K-9 Handler.
Lawson is a WCC alumnus who earned his A.A.S. in Police Science from WCC in 2013. He is a graduate of Rocky Gap High School and also earned a B.S. in Management and Leadership from Bluefield College in 2015. Lawson has been an Adjunct Instructor in WCC’s Administration of Justice Program for several years.
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Virginia Western issues call for nominations for 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award
The Virginia Western Educational Foundation and the Virginia Western Alumni Association are calling for nominations for the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award. The annual recipient or recipients will receive the award at a special Scholarship Awards Ceremony in the spring, and a plaque will be placed on the Virginia Western Distinguished Alumni Wall outside Whitman Theatre.
Distinguished Alumni eligibility requirements:
To be eligible for nomination, the candidate must:
- Be a graduate of or have completed a minimum of two semesters at Virginia Western Community College.
- Have attained extraordinary distinction and success in his or her profession or life.
- Be a person of such integrity and stature that the College will take pride in his or her recognition.
- Have attained regional, statewide or national prominence and significant involvement in civic, cultural or charitable affairs.
How to nominate:
Anyone may nominate a Virginia Western Community College alumna/us or former student for this award by completing a nomination form. This form can be submitted online or downloaded from the College’s website at virginiawestern.edu/alumni. Two letters of reference are also required.
Deadline:
Nominations must be received by Feb. 28, 2023.
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Patrick & Henry adds new board member
The Patrick & Henry Community College Board has named Pamela Jamison
Allen to the board.
Allen received her associate degree from P&HCC and was named a P&HCC Distinguished Alumna. She has also served on the Patrick & Henry Foundation Board for several years.
Allen was appointed by the City of Martinsville to fill the spot of Bob Vogler who passed away in Oct. 2022. His term would have expired in 2024. Allen will be eligible for her first full four-year term in 2024.