RICHMOND – UVA President John Casteen is saluting the 2009 class of Virginia Community College philanthropist leaders, saying they are among those who have “stepped into the breach” to support higher education when state funding has fallen short.
Philanthropists for each of Virginia’s 23 community colleges were honored Tuesday with the Fourth Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy (see list below). “The event is a way to say ‘thank you’ to the men and women who help individuals identify, elevate and fulfill their dreams of the future,” says VCCS Chancellor Glenn DuBois.
Mr. Casteen linked community colleges to Thomas Jefferson’s ideals of universal education, provided at the common expense. “The need for effective community colleges is just as great today as it was 40-plus years ago when the VCCS was created, or 200-plus years ago when Jefferson first dreamed of a statewide system of education,” Casteen says, adding that community college play an important role in the current economic downturn, and will play a key role in the workforce development and education that will keep the recovery moving forward.
“We need to do more to invest directly in people if this down-cycle is to end quickly,” Casteen said, proposing that a plan to offer laid-off workers immediate access to further education should be part of the economic stimulus plan.
The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education surprised Casteen with an endowed scholarship in his honor for a community college transfer student to attend the University of Virginia.
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.
Commonwealth Legacy Scholarships for 23 students in fall 2009 will bear the names of the 2009 Philanthropy Leaders.
Recipients of the 2009 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy:
Blue Ridge Community College The Houff Foundation
Central Virginia Community College Mr. George Dawson
Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Mr. James D. Snyder
Danville Community College Mr. Joe and Mrs. Eileen Stendig
Eastern Shore Community College Ms. Caramine Kellam
Germanna Community College Mr. Joseph R. Daniel
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Mr. J. Douglas Freeman, Sr.
John Tyler Community College Mr. Homer C. Eliades
Lord Fairfax Community College Mr. Bob G. Sowder
Mountain Empire Community College Mr. R. C. “Snook” and Mrs. Marti Shelton
New River Community College Mr. Les and Mrs. Joyce Pugh
Northern Virginia Community College Mr. Irving L. Denton
Patrick Henry Community College Mrs. Mary Kathryn N. Frith
Paul D. Camp Community College Mr. Holt M. Livesay
Piedmont Virginia Community College Hantzmon Wiebel, LLP
Rappahannock Community College Nettie Lokey Wiley and Charles L. Wiley Foundation
Southside Virginia Community College Mrs. Jean Clary Bagley
Southwest Virginia Community College The Ralph B. Davis Family
Thomas Nelson Community College Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding
Tidewater Community College Mr. Stanley Waranch
Virginia Highlands Community College Mr. Ed and Mrs. Susie Yates
Virginia Western Community College Mr. Edwin C. Hall
Wytheville Community College Mr. William J. and Mrs. Diane Hurst
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.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jeffrey Kraus
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Relations
(804) 819-4949
jkraus@vccs.edu