David Rabern Simmons received a Doctorate in Philosophy in Biological Sciences at the University of Maine in May. As part of his degree program, he described a new fungus Fimicolochytrium jonesii, which is named in honor of Kevin Jones in the Department of Natural Sciences at UVa-Wise. While working on his doctorate degree, David has authored and co-authored nine publications on fungal systematics and aided in the description of two orders, two families, nine genera and ten species. Simmons received the Fay HylandHilborn Prize in Plant Biology from the school of Biology & Ecology at the University of Maine for his accomplishments. Simmons, a native of Big Stone Gap, Va., is the son of Barry Lane Simmons ’91 and the late Clyda Rae Simmons ’76.
ClassNotes
05
C. Cole Osborne is assistant professor of English and Humanities for Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown, N.C. Cole resides in Greensboro. Kellie Burke Rose earned a Doctor of Pharmacy from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2009. She is employed as a clinical pharmacy specialist with the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Staunton, Va. Kellie and her husband, Richie, a soccer coach with Virginia Military Institute, live in Lexington, Va.
Kelly Burke Rose ’04 and husband Richie
06
Jesse Berry Begley, a family nurse practitioner, is employed at Holston Valley Specialty Ob-Gyn. Jessee is an adjunct faculty member and clinical instructor for the RN students attending UVa-Wise. Christopher Cooper is the vice president of product development for Daymuse Studios, LLC in Glenn Allen, Va. Leandrea Romero received a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Mexico Highlands University and is currently enrolled in the Counselor Education and Supervision doctoral program with an emphasis in forensic mental health at Walden University. She is employed as a mental health therapist with Southwest Family Guidance Center and Institute in Albuquerque, N.M. Thomas Williams is a state trooper with the Virginia State Police in Richmond, Va. Thomas and his wife, Maggie ’05, have two children, Katelyn and Ethan.
07
Kari Leigh Osborne earned a Master of Science in Sport Management from Western Illinois University in 2009. She is the assistant director of intramural and club sports at Texas A&M - Commerce.
Kari Leigh Osborne ’07
Right: Hunter - Davidson wedding party 42 UVa-Wise Magazine
09
Samuel M. “Matt” Jordan has been hired as branch manager of Carter Bank and Trust in the Tazewell office. He earned an associate of arts and sciences degree from Mountain Empire Community College in Big Stone Gap and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Political Science from UVa-Wise.
Samuel M. Jordan ’09
10
Kelly Hunter and Josh Davidson were united in marriage on Oct. 1, 2011 at Riverside Baptist Church in Chilhowie, Va. Alumni in the wedding party included Kendra Hawkins Hammonds ’11, Whitney Stiltner Vandyke ’09. Katie Hunter, sister of the bride, served as the maid of honor and is a student at UVa-Wise. Kelly received her master’s degree in Business Administration from Appalachian State University in 2011 and is a consultant with CGI Federal in Lebanon, Va. Her husband, Josh, is a paramedic/firefighter with the town of Chilhowie.