[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 19 (Monday, February 6, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING CHANCELLOR DAVID J. PRIOR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 6, 2012

  Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks in 
memory of Chancellor David J. Prior, a devoted educator and gifted 
leader from Southwest Virginia. Chancellor Prior left us suddenly on 
February 2, 2012. At the time of his passing, Chancellor Prior was 
serving as the seventh chancellor of the University of Virginia's 
College at Wise.
  Chancellor Prior was born in Anniston, Ala. on December 13, 1943. He 
earned a number of degrees, including an A.B. in biology from Olivet 
College in Michigan, a master's in animal physiology and biochemistry 
from Central Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in neurophysiology from 
the University of Virginia in 1972. He was also a post-doctoral fellow 
in neurobiology at Princeton University from 1972 to 1973.
  He began his career in education at the University of Kentucky in 
1973, where he eventually held dual full professorships in biological 
sciences and physiology and biophysics. In 1987, Chancellor Prior 
became chairman of the Department of Biology at Northern Arizona 
University and was later named dean of the College of Arts and Sciences 
in 1992. He also served as dean of the graduate school of Northern 
Michigan University and as a provost in the University of Wisconsin 
system. He came to the College at Wise in 2005, and was inaugurated on 
April 11, 2006, as its seventh chancellor. Chancellor Prior was also a 
prolific researcher having been published numerous times. He is 
survived by his wife, Merry Lu; daughter, Andrea and her husband, Tom 
Martin; and son, Christopher and his wife, Sarah.
  During his time at the College at Wise, Chancellor Prior worked 
tirelessly to focus on the importance of education throughout Southwest 
Virginia. He also encouraged economic development in the region by 
promoting the College and a STEM initiative to encourage students to 
enter the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. 
While chancellor, he oversaw the construction of the Convocation Center 
and several buildings on campus, conducted a successful fundraising 
campaign, and increased student enrollment. He enjoyed interacting with 
students and impacted countless lives through his work as an educator 
and administrator.
  Chancellor Prior was a dreamer who allowed the College to achieve 
beyond what it could have imagined. The growth and successes of the 
University of Virginia's College at Wise in recent years will long 
serve as a reminder of his legacy. I am honored to pay tribute to this 
great man's many contributions. Chancellor Prior will be missed, but 
never forgotten.

                          ____________________