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WCC names Ashworth as 2026 Administrative Professional Faculty Emeritus (copy)
Dr. Dean Sprinkle, WCC president, with Dr. Phyllis Ashworth,
2026 Administrative Professional Faculty Emeritus.
SPorter / Submitted photo
Wytheville Community College recognized Dr. Phyllis Ashworth as the 2026 Administrative Professional Faculty Emeritus Award recipient. This award recognizes retired administrative professional faculty for meritorious and significant contributions. Ashworth served WCC for 31 years in numerous leadership roles, concluding her career as vice president of Institutional Advancement and Effectiveness.
A native of Hampton, Ashworth is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974. In 1976, she earned a Master’s degree from Indiana University, and, in 1989, she was awarded a Doctorate from Virginia Tech, where she was the first recipient of the Chancellor’s Fellowship given by the Virginia Community College System.
In her role as WCC’s Liaison to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Ashworth led the college community through three successful reaccreditation cycles. Her management of the college’s institutional research, assessment, strategic planning, and marketing efforts helped guide and promote WCC, and her expertise in grant writing secured significant funding for the college.
Ashworth participated in numerous key standing and ad hoc committees and the WCC Legislative Advocacy Team, as well as provided dedicated leadership of numerous special events, including presidential inaugurations. She was also a member of the Campaign Executive Committee during the Foundation’s “Forging Futures Capital Campaign.”
Ashworth’s professional expertise and wise counsel were recognized and appreciated by college administrators, faculty, staff, and students; by members of the WCC Local Board; by colleagues throughout the VCCS; and by members of other organizations, including the American Council on Education’s Office of Women in Higher Education where she served as a member of the state Executive Committee. She was a respected member of the WCC leadership team and served as an ambassador for the college through her work with numerous community organizations and activities.
In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the WCC Distinguished Service Award by the WCC Educational Foundation in 2009.
Rising stars: Shadowgrass set to headline Song of the Mountains (copy)
The Lincoln Theatre will once again host Song of the Mountains featuring Shadowgrass on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 7 p.m.
When their instrumental prowess earned them a vast following on social media, childhood friends turned all-star act Shadowgrass found sudden success. As a young band, the expectations that went along with a large audience proved daunting.
“We felt a lot of pressure to make something uniquely us, because we had such a big following, and we felt that they deserved more than what we had given them as of yet,” explained band members. The group dug deep into their musicality and tried to block out the noise for their sophomore release All That Will released on Oct 4, 2024. “It turned out that dropping those self-imposed expectations and just writing/making music for our own enjoyment was the key to finding our collective voice and making a record we are all proud of.”
Shadowgrass began in 2014 when Clay Russell (banjo), Luke Morris (mandolin), and Kyser George (guitar) were jamming at the Grayson County Fiddler’s Convention in Elk Creek. Sometime before their first real show, the name Shadowgrass was suggested simply because they thought it sounded “cool”.
The trio members were 9, 13, and 14 years old at the time. Now in their early 20s, their influences and listening habits have changed drastically, but the group has always grown in the same direction musically. They have welcomed fiddle player Madison Morris, who also lends vocals and songwriting prowess, and bass player Evan Campfield.
Luke and Madison are said to trade off lead vocals and harmonies seamlessly with one another. Their commitment to and keen interest in songwriting bring additional dimensions to the band, allowing the group to appeal to listeners outside of the expected jam-band community.
As a young band that has already been playing together for a decade, Shadowgrass members possess a unique bond. “We’ve grown up together and have watched each other evolve into the people we are today,” they say. “It sounds cliché, but we definitely act more like siblings than bandmates.”
On All That Will, the group explores themes of anxiety and uncertainty and questioning the people they want to become.
Their next big milestone will happen in the heart of Southwest Virginia at the historic Lincoln Theatre in Marion, where they will perform two sets that will be televised for PBS as a part of the award-winning bluegrass series, Song of the Mountains.
Song of the Mountains showcases talents in bluegrass, Americana, and old-time music and culture of the Southern Appalachians. Live concerts are held monthly at The Lincoln Theatre with shows videotaped for the television series, which can be seen on public television affiliates throughout the country.
For more information about The Lincoln Theatre and event tickets, visit www.thelincoln.org or call 276-783-6092.
WCC honors Rollie Nye Jr. with 2026 Professor Emeritus Award (copy)
Dr. Dean Sprinkle, WCC president, left, and Rollie Nye Jr., 2026
WCC Professor Emeritus Award recipient.
SPorter / Submitted photo
The 2026 Professor Emeritus Award was presented to Rollie Nye Jr., who taught business and transfer courses at WCC from 1968 until his retirement in 2002. During his 34-year career, Nye became known for connecting classroom instruction with real-world experiences and for his innovative use of instructional technology.
Throughout his tenure, Nye made a concerted effort to link instruction to real world experiences for WCC students. He accomplished this through many different means including having business law students sit in on actual trials at the Wythe County Courthouse. Another example was taking students to visit the Federal Reserve Building in Richmond for a tour of operations and discussion with a federal reserve officer.
Nye promoted WCC’s business program by visiting high schools in the service region to meet with prospective business students and share information with teachers. He also developed a business management program brochure utilizing input from students, faculty, and administrators and promoted the business management program on the local radio station, WYVE.
In addition to teaching, Nye advised student organizations, including Phi Beta Lambda, Phi Theta Kappa, and the WYCOCO yearbook staff. The WCC Adjunct Faculty Staff Award originated from Nye’s motion and once approved by the College Board, has been awarded since then.
He also actively promoted WCC’s business programs throughout the region and earned several honors during his career, including the 1999 WCC Improvement of Instruction Award and the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Teaching Excellence Award in 2020.
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