The program honors an outstanding benefactor from each of Virginia’s 23 community colleges. The First Lady, who is focused on improving the lives and futures of foster children in Virginia, will speak about her initiative called “For Keeps” and her partnership with Virginia’s Community Colleges to enhance higher education opportunities for foster children, called “Great Expectations.”

“Children in foster care are smart, creative and have a lot to offer, but too often they lack the opportunity to attend college and develop their skills,” said First Lady Anne Holton.  “It’s great to be part of an effort to change that. Virginia cannot afford to lose anyone’s contributions.”

“We are honored and delighted that the First Lady agreed to give the keynote address and we are proud to be working with her to benefit foster children,” said Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges. “This event is also a way to say thank you to men and women who, through their generosity, are elevating lives by expanding the opportunities of higher education.”

The Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy was created to recognize the important role of community college supporters. Individuals eligible for this annual award include current and former foundation board members, community volunteers and benefactors. Each college across the commonwealth determined additional criteria for the selection of the nominee.

Recipients of the 2008 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy:

Blue Ridge Community College - Mr. Carl A. Rosberg

Central Virginia Community College - Mr. Thomas Christopher

Dabney S. Lancaster Community College - Mr. Jack A. Hammond

Danville Community College - Mr. Landon R. Wyatt, Jr.

Eastern Shore Community College - Mr. George N. McMath

Germanna Community College - Mr. Hugh Cosner

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College - Mr. Ivor and Mrs. Maureen Massey

John Tyler Community College - Mr. David O. Ledbetter

Lord Fairfax Community College - Mrs. Beverley B. Shoemaker

Mountain Empire Community College - Mr. Bill Miller

New River Community College - Gilmer, Sadler, Ingram, Sutherland & Hutton Law Firm

Northern Virginia Community College - Dr. Lee Gurel

Patrick Henry Community College - Mr. Irving M. Groves, Jr.

Paul D. Camp Community College - Mrs. Frances Hobbs

Piedmont Virginia Community College - Mrs. Grace H. Carpenter

Rappahannock Community College - Mr. Martin and Mrs. Barbara Bowling

Southside Virginia Community College - Mr. Gene Thomas

Southwest Virginia Community College - Mr. Alex Booth, Jr.

Thomas Nelson Community College - The Estate of Mrs. Elizabeth P. Smith

Tidewater Community College -  Mr. George W. Roper II

Virginia Highlands Community College - Dr. Catherine Smith

Virginia Western Community College - Ms. Donna L. Mitchell

Wytheville Community College  - The Family of Robert Eley and Jane Johnson

See these outstanding benefactors here.

About Virginia’s Community Colleges: Created more than 40 years ago, the VCCS is comprised of 23 community colleges located on 40 campuses across the commonwealth. Together, Virginia’s Community Colleges serve more than a quarter-million credit students each year. For more information, please visit myfuture.vccs.edu.

For more information, contact:
Jeffrey Kraus
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Relations
Virginia’s Community Colleges
804-819-4949

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