Entries by Amy Greear

Boatright-Wells Receives VCCS Community Service Award

Big Stone Gap, VA – Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to announce that Dean of Workforce Services Sue Ella Boatright-Wells has been honored with the Virginia Community College System Chancellor’s Award in Community Service. Boatright-Wells was nominated by MECC for the award in recognition of her 30+ years of leading the Home Craft Days… Continue Reading Boatright-Wells Receives VCCS Community Service Award

CDBG Proposal Public Hearing Scheduled Thursday, August 11

The Wise County Board of Supervisors and Mountain Empire Community College will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at 3 p.m., in the Conference Room of the Wise County Courthouse, Room 223, to solicit public input on a proposed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) proposal to be submitted to the Virginia Department… Continue Reading CDBG Proposal Public Hearing Scheduled Thursday, August 11

Cooke Appointed to State Water & Wastewater Board

  Big Stone Gap, VA — Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to announce that Instructor Rosa-lee Cooke has been appointed to Governor Terry McAuliffe’s administration for Water & Wastewater Treatment. Cooke has been named to the Virginia Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals. She is the only board… Continue Reading Cooke Appointed to State Water & Wastewater Board

Dr. Kris Westover Hired to Become the President of Mountain Empire Community College 

RICHMOND – Dr. Kris Westover will become the next president of Mountain Empire Community College. That announcement was made today by Dr. Glenn DuBois, the chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges. Westover becomes the seventh person, and second woman, to serve as the college’s permanent president. Her hiring ends a process that began with a national… Continue Reading Dr. Kris Westover Hired to Become the President of Mountain Empire Community College 

Event to Raise Funds for Scott County Endowed Scholarship

Gate City, VA – A special dinner and entertainment event will be held September 22 to raise funds for Scott County students attending Mountain Empire Community College.   The Mountain Empire Community College Foundation will host a fundraiser for the Scott County Endowed Scholarship on Thursday, September 22 at 6:00 p.m. at the Scott County Career… Continue Reading Event to Raise Funds for Scott County Endowed Scholarship

Financial Assistance Available for EMT, CNA Classes

Students interested in becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant or Emergency Medical Technician are urged to take advantage of financial assistance for qualifying students enrolling this fall.  Mountain Empire Community College will offer EMT and CNA certification courses August through December. Students may be eligible to receive financial assistance through state and federal grant programs if… Continue Reading Financial Assistance Available for EMT, CNA Classes

John Fox Jr. Festival Rescheduled for April 16

The John Fox Jr. Festival, originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 21 at MECC, has been rescheduled to Monday, April 16 at 10 a.m. in the MECC Phillips-Taylor Hall Goodloe Center.  Individuals who purchased lunch tickets and who are not able to attend the rescheduled date should call 276.523.7466 for refund information. 

Last of MECC Original Faculty, Allgyer, Retires

Chris Allgyer hasn’t had a job interview in 46-years. He attributes that fact to his memorable experience interviewing for the position of math instructor at Mountain Empire Community College. Allgyer, who is originally from Piqua, Ohio, was called for an interview after a position became vacant at the soon-to-open Mountain Empire Community College. He had… Continue Reading Last of MECC Original Faculty, Allgyer, Retires

Local Advisory Board to Meet Friday, May 12

The Mountain Empire Community College Local Advisory Board will meet next Friday, May 12 at 3 p.m. in the Dalton-Cantrell Hall Kline Foundation Board Room. This will be a closed session meeting to discuss results of the presidential candidate interviews. The Board will deliberate and make a recommendation to the Virginia Community College System Chancellor… Continue Reading Local Advisory Board to Meet Friday, May 12

MECC – Wellmont Health System Golf Classic at Cedar Hill Country Club

BIG STONE GAP, VA – Mountain Empire Community College Foundation, in partnership with Wellmont Health System, will hold its annual MECC – Wellmont Health System Golf Classic on Friday, August 5 at Cedar Hill Country Club in Jonesville, VA. Proceeds from the event will provide scholarships for MECC students.  These scholarships will be awarded in… Continue Reading MECC – Wellmont Health System Golf Classic at Cedar Hill Country Club

MECC Announces 12th Annual Mountain Music School

  Big Stone Gap, VA –Mountain Empire Community College is currently accepting applications for the 12th Annual Mountain Music School, to be held on campus July 25-29. MECC’s Mountain Music School is a week-long event dedicated to the preservation and continuation of Appalachian music and culture. Students from age 10 and up learn to play… Continue Reading MECC Announces 12th Annual Mountain Music School

MECC Announces Creation of Garnett Gilliam Buccaneer Scholarship 

Big Stone Gap – The Mountain Empire Community College Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of the Garnett Gilliam Buccaneer Scholarship honoring long-time local educator and community volunteer Garnett Gilliam.   Garnett is widely recognized in the region as a teacher, historian and community volunteer. A life-long resident of Big Stone Gap, Gilliam’s endowed… Continue Reading MECC Announces Creation of Garnett Gilliam Buccaneer Scholarship 

MECC Announces fall 2016 Honors Roll

MECC is pleased to announce the following students have been recognized for their outstanding academic achievements during the fall 2016 semester.  President’s List The following students have been named to the Mountain Empire Community College President’s List for the fall 2016 semester.  Students are eligible for the President’s List if they have at least 12… Continue Reading MECC Announces fall 2016 Honors Roll

MECC Announces Record Number of High School Students Earning College Credentials

Big Stone Gap – A record number of local high school students have earned their college degree or certificate at Mountain Empire Community College before their high school graduation thanks to a growth in the MECC’s dual enrollment program. A total of 44 high school students received a college credential from MECC in 2015-16. Six… Continue Reading MECC Announces Record Number of High School Students Earning College Credentials

MECC Applied Engineering Programs Receive National Accreditation

Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to announce that four of the college’s applied engineering degree programs have been awarded national accreditation from the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE). ATMAE is recognized as a premier accreditor of technology programs in colleges, universities, and technical institutes. Accreditation ensures that MECC’s… Continue Reading MECC Applied Engineering Programs Receive National Accreditation

MECC Basic Construction Class Assisting in Appalachia Downtown Revitalization Effort

Appalachia — Mountain Empire Community College has partnered with the Town of Appalachia and a small business owner to help renovate one of the town’s main street storefronts. The small business, located beside of the famous Peake Building on Appalachia’s main street,  will soon open as the new Appalachia Mercantile. Owner Tommy Adkins said the… Continue Reading MECC Basic Construction Class Assisting in Appalachia Downtown Revitalization Effort

MECC Celebrates the Life of Sue Ella Boatright-Wells, Dean of Workforce Development

Big Stone Gap, VA — Mountain Empire Community College is mourning the loss of a longtime employee, Sue Ella Boatright-Wells. Sue Ella served as the college’s Dean of Workforce Development. Sue Ella left a legacy of 39-years of service with MECC, touching hundreds of thousands of lives in her efforts to keep the culture and traditions… Continue Reading MECC Celebrates the Life of Sue Ella Boatright-Wells, Dean of Workforce Development

MECC Center for Workforce Development Reschedules OSHA Training

Big Stone Gap —  A 30-hour OSHA course at Mountain Empire Community College, originally scheduled to begin in February, has been rescheduled to begin on Tuesday, March 10. The course is designed to train workers and employers on the prevention of safety and health hazards in the workplace, as well as workers’ rights and employers’… Continue Reading MECC Center for Workforce Development Reschedules OSHA Training

MECC Donates Biology Kits to Local High Schools

Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College recently donated fifteen biology labs kits to local dual enrollment high school biology classes to provide students with hands-on experiments to enhance their learning experience. MECC Biology Assistant Professor Dr. Stacy Adams said she was inspired to donate the equipment during a visit to one of the… Continue Reading MECC Donates Biology Kits to Local High Schools

MECC Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19

Mountain Empire Community College has been notified that an employee has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee is self-isolated, according to CDC and local public health guidelines. Contact tracing is being coordinated through the local health department in conjunction with the college. Those persons who may have come into close contact with the positive case… Continue Reading MECC Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19

MECC English Instructors Receive Certification

Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to announce that English Instructors Bethany Arnold and Jan Richards recently received certification as “Developmental Education Specialists” from the Kellogg Institute for the Training and Certification of Developmental Educators. Arnold and Richards were two of 25 educators selected from across the United States to participate… Continue Reading MECC English Instructors Receive Certification

MECC Enrollment Goes Off-Campus with Mobile Enroll

Mountain Empire Community College will offer off-campus enrollment, or Mobile Enroll, this August at locations in Wise, Lee, Scott, and Dickenson County. Individuals interested in applying for admission to MECC this fall, obtaining financial aid, or who want to learn more about MECC’s programs are encouraged to visit the MECC Mobile Enroll van. Mobile Enroll… Continue Reading MECC Enrollment Goes Off-Campus with Mobile Enroll

MECC Enrollment Goes Off-Campus with Mobile Enroll

Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College will offer off-campus enrollment, or Mobile Enroll, in November at locations in Wise, Dickenson, and Scott County. Individuals interested in applying for admission to MECC in Spring 2016, obtaining financial aid, or who want to learn more about MECC’s programs are encouraged to visit the MECC Mobile… Continue Reading MECC Enrollment Goes Off-Campus with Mobile Enroll

MECC Enrollment Goes Off-Campus with Mobile Enroll

Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College will offer off-campus enrollment, or Mobile Enroll, this spring at locations in Wise, Dickenson, and Scott County. Individuals interested in applying for admission to MECC in Summer and Fall 2016, obtaining financial aid, or who want to learn more about MECC’s programs are encouraged to visit the… Continue Reading MECC Enrollment Goes Off-Campus with Mobile Enroll

MECC Enrollment Goes Off-Campus with Mobile Enroll

Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College will offer off-campus enrollment, or Mobile Enroll, this summer at locations in Wise, Dickenson, Lee, and Scott County. Individuals interested in applying for admission to MECC in Fall 2016, obtaining financial aid, or who want to learn more about MECC’s programs are encouraged to visit the MECC… Continue Reading MECC Enrollment Goes Off-Campus with Mobile Enroll

MECC Enrollment Goes Off-Campus with Mobile Enroll

Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College will offer off-campus enrollment, or Mobile Enroll, this fall at locations in Wise, Dickenson, Lee, and Scott County. Individuals interested in applying for admission to MECC in spring 2017, obtaining financial aid, or who want to learn more about MECC’s programs are encouraged to visit the MECC… Continue Reading MECC Enrollment Goes Off-Campus with Mobile Enroll

MECC Foundation and Ballad Health Partner to Host Golf Tournament  for the Lee County Endowed Scholarship

Jonesville — The MECC Foundation, in partnership with Ballad Health, will host the MECC Foundation — Ballad Health Golf Classic at the Cedar Hill Country Club in Jonesville on Friday, August 10. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Lee County Endowed Scholarship at MECC. Because the scholarship is endowed, it will be a permanent… Continue Reading MECC Foundation and Ballad Health Partner to Host Golf Tournament  for the Lee County Endowed Scholarship

MECC Foundation Announces Establishment of Gladys Hurd Banner Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Big Stone Gap – The Mountain Empire Community College Foundation is pleased to announce that the Gladys Hurd Banner Memorial Nursing Scholarship has been established by her family to provide financial assistance to aspiring Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) students attending Mountain Empire Community College. Mrs. Banner was born, raised and educated in Big Stone Gap.… Continue Reading MECC Foundation Announces Establishment of Gladys Hurd Banner Memorial Nursing Scholarship

MECC Foundation holds Alumni and Friends Talent Show Event

Big Stone Gap – The Mountain Empire Community College Foundation welcomes all alumni and friends to campus for “Southwest Virginia’s Got Talent,” the 2017 alumni and friends event on Saturday, October 14 at 6 p.m. in the Goodloe Center of Phillips-Taylor Hall on the MECC campus. The event is sponsored by Norton Community Hospital and… Continue Reading MECC Foundation holds Alumni and Friends Talent Show Event

MECC Foundation Hosts Alumni and Friends Reunion and Concert

Big Stone Gap, VA __ The Mountain Empire Community College Foundation will host the MECC Alumni and Friends Reunion to be held on Saturday, November 12, at 6 p.m. in the Goodloe Center of Phillips-Taylor Hall on the MECC campus. “Come Home to MECC” is the theme of the evening featuring receptions and a concert… Continue Reading MECC Foundation Hosts Alumni and Friends Reunion and Concert

MECC Foundation Hosts Fundraiser for Dickenson County Endowed Scholarship

  The Mountain Empire Community College Foundation will present a special evening of music with Dale Jett and “Hello Stranger” as part of its fundraising event for the Dickenson County Endowed Scholarship. This special fundraising event will be held Tuesday, November 29 at 6 p.m. at Ridgeview High School in Clintwood. Patrons will enjoy a… Continue Reading MECC Foundation Hosts Fundraiser for Dickenson County Endowed Scholarship

MECC Foundation Inducts Ben Allen into its Hall of Honor at Annual Gala Event

Big Stone Gap, VA — The Mountain Empire Community College Foundation will induct Mr. Ben E. Allen into its Hall of Honor at the 2017 spring Gala to be held on campus Saturday, May 20, at 6 p.m. Mr. Allen will be recognized for his many years of exemplary service to Mountain Empire Community College… Continue Reading MECC Foundation Inducts Ben Allen into its Hall of Honor at Annual Gala Event

MECC Foundation Offers Food City/Friends of Coal Scholarship

Big Stone Gap, VA — The Mountain Empire Community College Foundation is pleased to announce the availability for the Food City/Friends of Coal Scholarship for Coal Industry Impacted Students for the spring 2017 semester.  Earlier this year, Food City and Friends of Coal of Pikeville/COA partnered to design special commemorative reusable shopping bags, sold on… Continue Reading MECC Foundation Offers Food City/Friends of Coal Scholarship

MECC Foundation Raises $9.5M in Major Gifts Campaign

Big Stone Gap, VA – Mountain Empire Community College Foundation has announced that $9.5M has been raised in a three-year capital campaign supporting increased student success and developing a highly skilled workforce for the region’s new economy. More than 1,200 individuals participated in the “Building for the Future” Campaign, which exceeded the Foundation’s initial fundraising… Continue Reading MECC Foundation Raises $9.5M in Major Gifts Campaign

MECC Foundation Receives Grant for Cyber Security Training Program

Big Stone Gap, VA — Mountain Empire Community College will offer a new cyber security training program, thanks to a grant from the Dominion Foundation.  Dominion recently awarded a $20,000 grant to the Mountain Empire Community College Foundation to support MECC’s development of a new Network Security Career Studies Certificate. The Network Security Career Studies… Continue Reading MECC Foundation Receives Grant for Cyber Security Training Program

MECC Foundation to Honor the Late Dr. Brownie and Barbara Polly at annual Hall of Honor Gala event

Big Stone Gap, VA – The Mountain Empire Community College Foundation will honor the late Dr. Brownie Edward Polly, Jr. and Barbara Creasy Polly at the annual Hall of Honor Gala on Saturday evening, April 13, 2019. The gala theme is “Bow Ties and Broadway,” and proceeds from the event will create the Dr. Brownie… Continue Reading MECC Foundation to Honor the Late Dr. Brownie and Barbara Polly at annual Hall of Honor Gala event

MECC Foundation to Honor the Late Mr. William Kenneth Gilley and Mrs. Thelma Sorah Gilley at Annual Hall of Honor Gala event

Big Stone Gap, VA – The Mountain Empire Community College Foundation will honor the late Mr. Ken Gilley and Mrs. Thelma Sorah Gilley at the annual Hall of Honor Gala on Saturday evening, April 21, 2018. The gala theme is “Music of the Mountains,” and proceeds from the event will benefit the Gilley-Sorah Hall of… Continue Reading MECC Foundation to Honor the Late Mr. William Kenneth Gilley and Mrs. Thelma Sorah Gilley at Annual Hall of Honor Gala event

MECC Foundation to Host Benefit For Sue Ella Boatright-Wells Mountain Music School Memorial Scholarship

Big Stone Gap – The Mountain Empire Community College Foundation will host a special benefit featuring internationally-acclaimed musical group The Black Lillies on Sunday, April 29 at 3 p.m. in the Goodloe Center. Tickets for the event are $25 and can be purchased online at www.meccfoundation.org/mmsbenefit/. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Sue… Continue Reading MECC Foundation to Host Benefit For Sue Ella Boatright-Wells Mountain Music School Memorial Scholarship

MECC Foundation to Host Scott County Scholarship Event

Gate City, VA – The Mountain Empire Community College Foundation will host a fundraising event for the Scott County Endowed Scholarship on Thursday, September 21 at 6:00 p.m. at the Scott County Career and Technical Center in Gate City.  The event theme is “Mardi Gras.” Patrons will enjoy a delicious buffet dinner and entertainment by… Continue Reading MECC Foundation to Host Scott County Scholarship Event

MECC Highlights Youth Talent in New CD Release

Big Stone Gap, VA — Mountain Empire Community College is highlighting the best of Southwest Virginia’s youth music and the cultivator of those talents with the release of “Youth Movement: A Tribute to Miss Ellie”. Musician and Home Craft Days Festival Organizer Tommy Bledsoe said the CD release, which includes 28 old-time, bluegrass, gospel and… Continue Reading MECC Highlights Youth Talent in New CD Release

MECC Hold Health Sciences Open House & Career Fair

Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College’s Health Sciences Division will host an Open House and Career Fair on Tuesday, July 10 from 6 p.m. to  8 p.m. in the Goodloe Center, Phillips-Taylor Hall.  Regional healthcare employers will be represented, with over 90% indicating they have current open positions. Attendees are encouraged to bring… Continue Reading MECC Hold Health Sciences Open House & Career Fair

MECC Honors Fall 2015 LPN Graduates

Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College’s Practical Nursing program recently held a pinning ceremony for Fall 2015 Licensed Practical Nursing program graduates. The ceremony represents the completion of the student’s coursework in MECC’s LPN Program. Student Ashley Smith was named valedictorian of the class and received the Healing Hands Nursing Excellence Award. Fall… Continue Reading MECC Honors Fall 2015 LPN Graduates

MECC Hosts 46th Annual Home Craft Days Festival

Big Stone Gap, VA – Mountain Empire Community College will once again welcome thousands of visitors to the campus this fall for the 46th Annual Home Craft Days Festival held Oct. 20-22. Celebrating the rich music, culture, and artistry of Southwest Virginia, the Home Craft Days Festival features two full days of concerts, craft vendors,… Continue Reading MECC Hosts 46th Annual Home Craft Days Festival

MECC Hosts Information Meeting on Drone Program Scholarships

Big Stone Gap, Va. – Mountain Empire Community College is hosting an information meeting for those interested in applying for a scholarship to attend unmanned aerial systems, or drone, courses this fall. MECC, with assistance from a National Science Foundation Grant, is offering free tuition for four classes that make up the core of the… Continue Reading MECC Hosts Information Meeting on Drone Program Scholarships