The Wytheville Community College Thomas L. Barnes Veteran Scholarship Fund is expanding to include eligible WCC students pursuing careers as first responders.
Wytheville Community College (WCC), in partnership with the Appalachian Warrior Foundation (AWF), will hold the Tenth Annual Dr. Thomas L. Barnes Veteran Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament beginning at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 4, 2024, at the Wytheville Golf Club in Wytheville, Virginia. The event is hosted jointly by the WCC Educational Foundation and AWF in memory of Dr. Thomas L. Barnes.
Dr. Barnes served as the Dean of Students at WCC from 1972-2004. In addition to serving as the Dean, he was the Director of Veteran Affairs for WCC. Dr. Barnes served honorably in the United States Navy from 1964-2002 and retired as a Naval Captain, holding many high-ranking positions at duty stations around the world. Dr. Barnes led and managed various activities in Wytheville and surrounding county communities, and served as President of the Lions Club. Dr. Barnes was a soldier, an educator and a community leader, and the Appalachian Warrior Foundation established this fund in his honor to provide the same opportunities for other veterans.
Proceeds from the annual golf tournament benefit the “Dr. Thomas L. Barnes Veterans Scholarship Fund.” Since the fund was established in 2014, the scholarship has been providing financial assistance to WCC students who are veterans or children of veterans, or are active members of the military. In honor of the tenth anniversary of the golf tournament and the scholarship, WCC and the AWF are excited to announce that the scholarship will expand and also be available to eligible WCC students pursuing careers as first responders (police, fire, and rescue).
“WCC enjoys hosting the annual golf tournament and appreciates the scholarship that honors Dr. Thomas L. Barnes,” said Dr. Dean E. Sprinkle, WCC president. “As the scholarship grows, we are pleased that the Barnes family is expanding the scope of the scholarship to be able to assist WCC students who are training to be first responders.” Students may apply for scholarships for Fall 2024 at https://www.wcc.vccs.edu/scholarships.
All proceeds from the tournament go directly to benefit eligible WCC students. For information about the tournament, or to register, call (276) 223-4771, or email foundation@email.vccs.edu.
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