$1M gift to endow UVa-Wise biology position Published August 7th, 2012 12:58 am

WISE -- The University of Virginia's College at Wise has received a $1 million gift from the estate of Carol Phipps Buchanan to create an endowed professorship in biology at the college.

The John C. Buchanan Professorship in Biology has been established in honor of her late husband, a former state senator and Southwest Virginia physician, the college announced Monday.

Sen. Buchanan, an alumnus of the University of Virginia, operated a general medical practice in Wise from 1971 until his death on April 15, 1991.

Sen. Buchanan represented a large portion of the region in the Virginia General Assembly. During his service in the state Senate, Buchanan sponsored the first state statute to provide workers compensation for black lung disease acquired by coal miners.

Carol Phipps Buchanan was a trustee of the Columbus Phipps Foundation, which has supported UVa-Wise in the past. She was known for her strong dedication to education. A community minded yet private person, she wanted her estate used to promote education.

"We are deeply grateful to the estate of Carol Phipps Buchanan for the generous gift," said Tami Ely, vice chancellor for development and college relations. "Endowed professorships allow us to attract and retain excellent faculty at UVa-Wise, which enhances the educational experience for our students."

The only branch campus of the University of Virginia, UVa-Wise offers Virginia's only undergraduate degree in software engineering among 29 other degrees and professional programs in the liberal arts tradition of Thomas Jefferson.

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$1M gift to endow UVa-Wise biology position