Over 450 Southwest Virginia Community College students are candidates for spring 2008 Graduation. The Commencement Ceremony will take place at the Community Center in the SVCC gymnasium at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 15. Dr. David J. Prior, chancellor of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, will address the students.
David J. Prior earned a Ph.D. in neurophysiology from the University of Virginia in 1972. Before that, he earned an A.B. in biology from Olivet College in Michigan in 1965 and a master's in animal physiology and biochemistry from Central Michigan University in 1968. He was also a post-doctoral fellow in neurobiology at Princeton University from 1972 to 1973. Prior began his teaching career in 1973 at the University of Kentucky, where he eventually held dual full professorships in biological sciences and physiology and biophysics. He left in 1987 to become chairman of the Department of Biology at Northern Arizona University, and was named dean of the College of Arts and Sciences there in 1992.
In 1995, he was named dean of graduate studies and research at Northern Michigan University. From 1998 to 2005, he served as a provost in the University of Wisconsin system.
As a researcher, he has over 20 years of continuous funding and is credited with more than 100 research publications, symposium presentations, review articles and book chapters.
Prior began his service with UVa-Wise on September 1, 2005 and was inaugurated on April 11, 2006 as its seventh chancellor.
He and his wife, Merry Lu, have two grown children.
SVCC graduates, their families and friends are encouraged to attend the commencement ceremony. Candidates for graduation must meet in the SVCC King Community Center by 5:30 p.m. For additional information contact the College at 276.964.7293.