Wytheville Community College recently honored Dr. Rhonda Catron-Wood and Mr. Keith Costello for Distinguished Service and Teaching. The Distinguished Service Awards Program, which includes the Distinguished Teaching Award and the Distinguished Service Award, were established by Nathaniel W. Pendleton, Jr. in memory of his father, Nathaniel Willis Pendleton, Sr., to recognize and encourage excellence in teaching and service at Wytheville Community College. The initial endowment came from the Pendleton Construction Corporation Foundation with subsequent additions being made by members of Delegate Pendleton’s family. Nathaniel Willis Pendleton was Wythe County’s representative in the Virginia House of Delegates, who, together with State Senator D. Woodrow Bird, introduced the necessary enabling bills in the 1962 General Assembly to establish WCC and appropriate its operating funds.

WCC named Dr. Rhonda Catron-Wood as the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Service Award. This prestigious award recognizes members of the WCC community who have given the college exceptional service, other than teaching, in a manner that is beyond the normal expectations and above monetary compensation.

Dr. Catron-Wood has demonstrated a powerful commitment to student success for WCC for more than 30 years. Catron-Wood began her career at WCC as a full-time faculty member in the English Department before advancing to several administrative roles. Dr. Catron-Wood retired last year from her position as WCC’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement, where she raised an abundance of funds for the college and student scholarships.

WCC recognized Mr. Keith Costello as the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Teaching Award. Mr. Costello is a Professor of Computer Information Systems.

The Distinguished Teaching Award recognizes any full-time or part-time instructor who exhibits performance beyond normal expectations. Mr. Costello has taught Instructional Technology for the College for 25 years. A WCC student nominated Mr. Costello for the award stating: “Mr. Costello treated me with professionalism and respect. Due to his teaching efforts, my abilities in IT have grown.” 

Dr. Dean Sprinkle, WCC President, presented these awards, and said, “We are deeply grateful for Dr. Rhonda Catron-Wood and Mr. Keith Costello. Their exceptional dedication and impact have not gone unnoticed by the faculty, staff, and students at WCC. We express our sincerest appreciation for their distinguished service to the college.”

Pictured:     Dr. Dean Sprinkle and Mr. Keith Costello

###