UVA Wise Foundation Inc.

03/31/2026

We love supporting this event as it brings together some of the donors who support endowed scholarships with students who are here because of scholarship support!

02/17/2026

UVa Wise Foundation ❤️s UVA Wise! Join us in supporting this amazing institution.

Today kicks off the College’s I Love UVA Wise campaign! Join us in supporting the things you love most about our College and our home in the mountains of Southwest Virginia.

At UVA Wise, we know that our people are our greatest asset so we want to know: what do you love about UVA Wise? You can support the areas you care most about, and our many Highland Cavaliers, by participating in this campaign through April 14.

Here’s how you can help:

- Make a gift to support UVA Wise. Whether you choose to give to specific scholarships, departments, programs, or the greatest needs at UVA Wise, your gift will make an impact in the lives of our students. Visit https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/76102/donations/new to donate now.

-Encourage at least five friends to give at least $25 to any UVA Wise fund they are passionate about. You can contact them in-person or online.

Thank you for sharing your love for UVA Wise today and always!

UVA Wise Advancement & Alumni Engagement

02/17/2026

Thanks to the Wellspring Foundation for supporting the STRONG ACC!

The STRONG Accountable Care Community (STRONG ACC) announced recently that it has been awarded a three-year, $599,448 IMPACT grant from the Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia, with the UVA Wise Foundation serving as administrative manager. This investment will significantly expand the STRONG ACC’s capacity to strengthen cradle-to-career outcomes for children, youth and young adults across Southwest Virginia.

The grant arrives at a pivotal moment as the STRONG ACC implements strategies designed to lay the foundation for long-term, regional, systems-level change.

Read more: https://www.uvawise.edu/news/2026/02/strong-acc-announces-three-year-599448-impact-grant-wellspring-foundation-southwest

STRONGacc

01/28/2026

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bays family, especially Teressa, Becky, Scott and Coy as they mourn the passing of their beloved husband and brother, Fred. Fred served with distinction on the Foundation Board for two terms. He was a proud alumnus of the Class of 1986, and will be remembered for the bountiful tailgating, a standard by which all other tailagtes are measured. RIP, dear friend of UVA Wise!

Obituary of Fred Bays

Fred Bays, beloved husband, brother, and friend, went to be with the Lord on January 27, 2026, at 9:50 a.m., passing peacefully at Duke Medical Pavilion, surrounded by loving family and friends. He was born in 1958 in Norton, Virginia, and lived a life marked by faith, service, and deep devotion to those he loved.

Fred was the devoted husband of Teressa Bays, with whom he shared 43 years of marriage. He was a loving and faithful partner who always put his wife first in every situation, leading their life together with steadfast love, loyalty, and care.

He was a graduate of J.J. Kelly High School, Class of 1976, and continued his education at UVA Wise (then Clinch Valley College), where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History. Fred later received his MBA from the Mason School of Business at the College of William & Mary, graduating in 1989.

Fred spent many years working in the healthcare industry and was also the owner and operator of three convenient stores in Wise County, Virginia. A true entrepreneur, he worked hard not only to build businesses, but to build relationships and serve his community.

A lifelong lover of sports, Fred was deeply influenced by his father, a respected high school football and basketball coach. Fred was an avid and competitive tennis player in high school and college and remained passionate about athletics throughout his life. Fred had a special love for UVA Wise Athletics, finding joy in watching young people achieve their dreams through sports. He proudly served two terms on the UVA Wise Foundation Board from 2012 to 2020.

Fred was well known for his legendary football tailgates, where his greatest joy came from serving others and ensuring everyone felt welcomed and cared for. His servant’s heart, generosity, and genuine concern for others defined him. An excellent cook, Fred loved sharing meals as another way to show love and hospitality.

He was preceded in death by his father, W.G. Bays; his mother, Kathleen Cordelia Lawson Bays; and his brothers, W.G. Bays Jr., Robert Bays, and O.J. Bays, brother in law, Robert Massie (Becky’s husband), sister in law, Beth Bays (Coy’s wife).

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Teressa Bays; his sister, Becky Bays; his brothers, Coy Bays, and Scott Bays (wife Marsha); and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends who will cherish his memory.

Fred will be greatly missed, but his legacy of service, kindness, and love will continue. He would want others to honor his life by continuing his work—serving others and meeting the needs of those around them.

Celebration of Life Service for Fred Bays
Friday, January 30 at 10:30 AM
Cross Culture at Leesville Road
6211 Leesville Road, Durham, NC 27703

A separate service will be held in Wise Virginia at a later date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cross Culture Church of Leesville Road. http://www.crossculture.church/give

or UVA Wise Athletics.
https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/19444/donations/new

Join me and make a gift to UVA Wise

09/16/2025

Our hearts are heavy at the sad news that Foundation Board member Bruce Lowe, an alumnus and former coach, has passed away. He loved UVA Wise and it was mutual. Thanks, Coach, for all the years of advocating and marketing for us from Lee County to the Roanoke region and beyond. Go rest easy.

Share Memories and Support the Family.

08/22/2025

Join UVA Wise Foundation Board member, Dr. Don Caudill, to celebrate the release of his book, The Success Pyramid! A book signing will be held on Monday, August 25, at 5PM on the 6th Floor of the UVA Wise Library.

The UVA Wise Library is proud to host a book signing with Dr. Donald Caudill, to celebrate the release of his newest book! Please stop by the 6th floor of the Library at 5:00pm on Monday, August 25th to enjoy a meet & greet with the author, purchase a signed copy, and enjoy light refreshments.

04/01/2025

Thanks to the Anne and Gene Worrell Foundation for this generous support. It will make a tremendous difference!

UVA Wise is excited to announce a $1 million commitment from the Anne & Gene Worrell Foundation to support student scholarships and regional leadership initiatives.

This investment will fund scholarships, boost the LEAD Southwest Virginia program, and support economic development projects like entrepreneur programs and the Clinch River Ecological Education Center.

A huge thank you to the Worrell Foundation for investing in our students and region!

To read more about the impact of their commitment, click here: https://www.uvawise.edu/news/2025/03/anne-gene-worrell-foundation-makes-investment-uva-wise-student-scholarships-and

07/12/2024

Today, Virginia was named “America’s Top State for Business” by CNBC in an article that also applauds our Commonwealth as having "the nation's best education system."

The University of Virginia's College at Wise is a proud part of that, with a growing enrollment and an increased number of student organizations.

Read CNBC's take: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/11/virginia-americas-top-state-for-business-nations-best-schools-solid-infrastructure.html

10/05/2023

Congratulations, Don! We are incredibly fortunate to have had your leadership for the past two decades!

Alumnus and Past Foundation Board President Don Green has been honored as the 2023 UVA Wise Volunteer of the Year!

It has been said that Don Green always finds a way. During the planning stages of UVA Wise's first capital campaign, it was suggested that the goal should be $4 million. Don convinced leaders to go for an "unfathomable goal" of $13 million. By the end of the campaign, the College had raised $21 million.

“He never misses an opportunity to praise the College, introduce the College to someone who might not know about it or to effectively fundraise. Whatever the school’s needs are, he is there,” said recently appointed UVA Wise Foundation Board President Dawneda Williams.

For the second time in UVA Wise history, Don Green was celebrated as Volunteer of the Year Saturday night at our annual Benefactor's Celebration.

For more information on Don Green and the incredible impact he has on UVA Wise: https://bit.ly/UVAWVolunteer

04/10/2022

Congrats to Foundation President Don Green for being named Citizen of the Year by the Wise County/City of Norton Chamber of Commerce tonight! Watch for the Chamber’s official announcement for the details!

07/15/2021

Today, we're excited to announce that UVA Wise has honored Don R. Pippin with the renaming of Wyllie Hall as Don R. Pippin & John C. Wyllie Hall.

Pippin is a 1958 alumnus of then-Clinch Valley College, a 1960 graduate of the University of Virginia, and a 1963 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law. His service to UVA Wise spans decades, and includes, among other contributions, an impassioned plea before the General Assembly that resulted in the funding for Fred B. Greear Gymnasium, service on the University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors and UVA Wise’s College Board, and leading the effort before the General Assembly to change the College’s name in 1999.

Read more about Mr. Pippin's legacy: https://www.uvawise.edu/news/2021/07/wyllie-hall-renamed-honor-don-r-pippin

05/11/2021