Wytheville Community College (WCC) is pleased to announce that Mr. William “Bill” Dixon, Jr. was named the recipient of the 2025 WCC Administrative Professional Faculty Emeritus award. 

Mr. Dixon initially served as WCC’s Dean of Financial and Administrative Services, which was subsequently titled Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services.  He served the college in these capacities from 1976 to 2002. During that time, Mr. Dixon’s outstanding leadership, professionalism, and visionary ideas helped guide WCC through periods of growth and change. 

Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Dixon played a central role in the planning and completion of two major campus construction projects, Grayson Hall and Smyth Hall, as well as in forming a partnership with the United States Army Reserve’s 760th Engineering Company to develop the Al Jennings Athletic Fields complex. Dixon’s leadership extended to the Wytheville Community College Educational Foundation, Inc., in which he served as treasurer from its founding in 1981 until his retirement. He led multiple fundraising efforts, established two educational endowments, and helped guide the Foundation’s first capital campaign. 

His influence also reached the national higher education community through active service in professional organizations such as the Southern Association of Colleges and University Business Officers, the National Association of College and University Business Officers, and the Community College Business Officers. 

Over the years, Mr. Dixon’s contributions have been recognized through numerous honors, including the WCC Improvement of Administration Award, the WCC Distinguished Service Award, and the Distinguished Service Award from the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers. In 2013, Bill and his wife, Rita, received the prestigious Virginia Community College System Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. 

A deeply engaged member of the WCC family, Mr. Dixon, participated in multiple aspects of the college, serving on numerous standing and ad hoc committees, contributing to the Legislative Advocacy Team, and even performing in college drama and musical productions. 

“Bill Dixon is most deserving of this award,” said Dr. Dean Sprinkle, WCC President. “Bill was a dedicated administrator, a respected and valued community member, and remains a friend of the College. I greatly appreciate his continued support of WCC.” 

The WCC Administrative Professional Faculty Emeritus award began in 2023.  This award recognizes retired administrative professional faculty who served a minimum of 10 years in the Virginia Community College System for meritorious and significant contributions. The recipient was chosen by an Ad-Hoc Committee composed of administrative professional faculty and full-time teaching faculty from each academic division.                                                                     

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Pictured: Dr. Dean Sprinkle, WCC President, and Mr. Bill Dixon, WCC Administrative Professional Faculty Emeritus