ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, September 15, 1996 TAG: 9609160086
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-10 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
College president to receive award
WYTHEVILLE - Wytheville Community College President William F. Snyder has been chosen to receive this year's Mount Rogers Planning District Commission Community Service Award for significant contributions to the betterment of the region.
Synder has been instrumental in establishing a Small Business Development Center at the college, the Manufacturing Technology Center, and education centers in Smyth County and Galax. He was involved in the Virginia Economic Bridge Initiative with Northern Virginia which seeks to have companies from urban areas invest in Southwest Virginia.
He has also worked in establishing the New River Symposium, an organization sharing information on the history and preservation of the New River.
He helped get a Virginia Historic Landmark designation for Loretto, a Wytheville mansion built by William A. Stuart, brother of Civil War figure J.E.B. Stuart. He is also involved in regional and county economic development efforts.
"Appalachia," a magazine published by the Appalachian Regional Commission, will feature an article on Synder's efforts.
The commission represents the counties of Wythe, Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth and Washington, and cities of Bristol and Galax.
Big Brothers/Sisters holds orientation
CHRISTIANSBURG - New River Valley Big Brothers/Big Sisters is holding a volunteer orientation at 6 p.m. Sept. 25, in the Christiansburg public library, 125 Sheltman St.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and have access to a vehicle. Volunteers serve four hours a week for a year (or three semesters if a student). Bring two forms of photo identification and a $2 donation for notary fee. Call 381-0662 for more information.
Noted playwright to perform play
WYTHEVILLE - "My Sister's Sister," a performance by playwright and actress Julie Portman, will be presented at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Wytheville Community College in the Grayson Commons.
Admission is free. The performance is sponsored by Student Activities, the college's Cultural Affairs Committee and the Virginia Arts Council.
The autobiographical play explores Portman's childhood with her sister, her coming of age in 1960s riot-torn Boston, and her commitment to postpone her professional life to care for her sister who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
The play includes a musical score by Portman's husband, Paul Reisler, who plays guitar, keyboards, hammer dulcimer and percussion. Reisler is the founder and director of the musical group, Trapezoid, and composes for film and television as well as theater.
Portman won an Obie for her long-running play, "Riot." She has been an artist-in-residence at Tufts University and Boston Conservatory of Music, and founded and directed Theatre on the Warf and Theatre Workshop in Boston.
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