Hundreds of candles flickered softly in the dark, held by former and current University of Virginia’s College at Wise students, faculty and staff, and members of the Wise community who gathered Thursday night to remember the life of their chancellor.
David Prior, 68, died early Thursday after being rushed to the hospital.
Student speakers at the vigil, held outside by the campus lake, talked about Prior’s influence on their lives.
“Chancellor Prior was a man who led by example,” said Luke Rasnick, a student member of the college board and a member of the Student Government Association, who co-sponsored the candlelight vigil.
Rasnick told a story about how he went to meet with Prior at the beginning of the school year, and instead of rushing through the talking points, Prior spent time asking Rasnick about his family and his plans after graduation.
“Two hours later, I emerged from [Prior’s office in] Bowers-Sturgill Hall,” Rasnick said. “Here I was trying to rush through a meeting … but he was doing something that he felt was important.”
Madison Savarese, a sophomore, went to Ecuador over the summer with David Prior and his wife, Merry Lu. She said the couple went zip-lining with the students, and Prior volunteered to be the first to go.
“That was an example of his leadership,” she said. “He has given us opportunities to grow and learn.”
Volleyball player Robyn Dougherty said Prior came to the volleyball games, and even had the team over for pizza on occasion.
Senior Ashlee Washburn said Prior was “more than just a chancellor.”
“He represented the University of Virginia’s College at Wise as a man of great vision,” she said.
A rap song celebrating Prior’s life, written and performed by UVa-Wise student Jamal Potter, was played.
“How many times have you seen him at a game? Wearing our colors, and screaming our name,” Potter sang.
As the students spoke, hundreds of onlookers stood by quietly.
When the Wise Guys, a tuba euphonium ensemble, began to play “Amazing Grace,” the candles were lit, the flame passed from one person to another.
At the end of the service, the candles were momentarily held aloft, and then extinguished.
Students who attended said the service was “beautiful.”
“It was well put-together,” said Alora King, 18, from Wytheville, Va.
“We’re living in his legacy, and it’s something to fulfill.”
Her friend, Ahdel Best, 19, from Newport News, Va., said she never met Prior, but she wished she had.
“I came out to show respect for Prior and his family,” she said. “I’m glad I came here to be part of this.”
arobinson@bristolnews.com
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