Wytheville Community College (WCC) recently awarded the 2024 WCC Distinguished Service Award to Rollie and Linda Nye, and the WCC Distinguished Teaching Award to Mary Ann Arnold Hedrick.
The WCC Distinguished Service Award and the Distinguished Teaching Award were established by Nathaniel W. Pendleton, Jr. in memory of his father, Nathaniel Willis Pendleton, Sr., to recognize and encourage excellence in teaching and service at Wytheville Community College. Nathaniel Willis Pendleton was Wythe County’s representative in the Virginia House of Delegates who, together with State Senator D. Woodrow Bird, introduced the necessary enabling bills in the 1962 General Assembly to establish WCC and appropriate its operating funds.
Dr. Dean Sprinkle, WCC President said of the recipients, "We are honored to announce our honorees, Rollie & Linda Nye, and Mary Ann Arnold Hedrick, whose dedication to education has not only enriched the lives of countless students but has also set a benchmark for excellence in teaching and to service to the college.”
Rollie and Linda Nye are the recipients of the 2024 WCC Distinguished Service Award. Rollie Nye was Assistant Instructor and Professor of Business Management for 34 years. During his tenure, in addition to his teaching responsibilities, Rollie served as Faculty Government Association President; Advisor to Phi Beta Lambda, the college’s Business Club; Advisor for the WCC Yearbook; and as Faculty Treasurer for Phi Theta Kappa, the WCC Honor Society. He also conceived the idea for a having a WCC ring, led a student committee to design it, and helped make it available to students. Rollie was also a leader in the use of computer-based instruction. He worked cooperatively with local business and industry to enhance the courses that he taught.
Linda Nye is a Wythe County native and WCC alumna. From 1972 until 2015, Linda served the college in various roles, including Secretary of the Engineering Department, Personnel Assistant, and Human Resources/Payroll Manager. During her 44-year career at WCC, she served on multiple college committees. She attained the distinction of “Certified Professional Secretary” from the Professional Secretaries International. She served as Vice President and President of the local Highlands Chapter of Professional Secretaries and received the “Secretary of the Year Award.” She also received the “WCC Employee of the Year Award” that was given by the VCCS at that time. In addition to their extraordinary service in their roles at the college, both Rollie and Linda have also been active members of the local community in numerous capacities over the years. Rollie and Linda have also supported WCC by establishing the “Rollie C. Nye, Sr. and Pauline C. Nye Academic Excellence Award Endowment.” This award recognizes students who have excelled in business programs.
Rollie led efforts to establish the “WCC Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year Award” that recognizes the exemplary work of an adjunct faculty member each year. Rollie and Linda also recently helped establish the “Jennings Family Scholarship Fund” that honors Al Jennings and his family for their contributions to WCC and the community. Additionally, they regularly support the WCC Drama and Theatre departments.
WCC also honored Mary Ann Arnold Hedrick, recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Teaching Award. This award recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in teaching that includes such qualities as the ability to inspire students to perform beyond normal expectations; responsiveness to needs within and outside the class; contributions to improve the intellectual climate of WCC; and the individual’s depth and breadth of expertise, sensitivity, enthusiasm, and dedication. Hedrick earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Radford University. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Human Anatomy & Physiology Instruction from New York Chiropractic College, and a Master’s Degree in Education with a Major in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford University. Additionally, Mary is a Pharmacy Technician who has earned both Virginia and national certifications.
Mary teaches various science courses and was also instrumental in the establishment of WCC’s Pharmacy Technician Program. The program was recently accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Ms. Hedrick was nominated for this year’s award by a current student who wrote: “I would not be able to be as successful as I am without Ms. Hedrick’s incredible leadership and teaching abilities. She is extremely helpful and patient. I know that I am not alone in recommending her for this award.”
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