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Virginia's Community Colleges Salute Winners of 2007 Chancellor's Awards for Leadership in Philanthropy

Richmond, Virginia (April 25, 2007) - Former Governor Gerald Baliles honored 23 outstanding benefactors at Virginia's community colleges today as recipients of the 2007 Chancellor's Award for Leadership in Philanthropy.

Governor Baliles saluted philanthropists from all over the Commonwealth, citing "their matchless passion for the mission of community colleges and their outstanding service in education on behalf of all Virginians."

"To the extent that Virginians are hampered in pursuit of their education, we all lose," Governor Baliles said, adding that community colleges, along with all of higher education, have had to increasingly rely on support from foundations and philanthropic leaders.

Virginia Community College Chancellor Dr. Glenn DuBois, presented the philanthropy awards, saying, "These men and women have given so much to the schools that make up Virginia's community college system. It's an honor to recognize and thank them."

After the awards were presented, Governor Baliles himself was surprised with the presentation of a Gerald L. Baliles Commonwealth Legacy Scholarship Endowment. More than $100,000 was raised to establish the endowment and was presented by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education.

The Chancellor's Award for Leadership in Philanthropy is designed to recognize the vital role of community college supporters. Individuals eligible for this annual award include current and former foundation board members, community volunteers and benefactors. Each college foundation determines the criteria for the selection of the nominee. Above all, these individuals demonstrate a passion for the mission of community colleges-to ensure that deserving people receive the advantage of a college education. The inaugural Leadership in Philanthropy Awards were awarded last year.

Each philanthropy leader becomes the namesake for one of 23 Commonwealth Legacy Scholarships to be awarded to a student attending the community college in their region. Sallie Mae provided funds to sponsor those scholarships for 2007.
"The generosity of corporations like Sallie Mae means so much to our community, colleges and the students we serve," said Dr. Jennifer Sager, executive director of the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education.

The honorees joined representatives and guests from each of the state's community colleges for a luncheon at The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond. "These leaders know the secret to a better tomorrow," said Dr. DuBois. "By their work with the VCCS, they're improving their communities, the commonwealth and the nation."

The recipients of the 2007 Chancellor's Award for Leadership in Philanthropy:

Blue Ridge Community College
Mrs. Julia N. Grandle of Harrisonburg

Central Virginia Community College
Mr. Winfred D. Nash of Lynchburg

Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
Mr. and Mrs. L. Ronald Smith of Williamsville

Danville Community College
Mr. Clyde B. Midkiff of Gretna

Eastern Shore Community College
Mr. H. B. Rew, Jr of Onley

Germanna Community College
Mrs. Linda F. Sealy of Fredericksburg

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
The Reynolds Family of Richmond

John Tyler Community College
Mrs. Margaret G. Lewis of Reston

Lord Fairfax Community College
Mr. William A. Hazel of Broad Run

Mountain Empire Community College
Mrs. Virginia H. Meador of Big Stone Gap

New River Community College
Hon. J. Robert Dobyns of Blacksburg

Northern Virginia Community College
Dr. Bonnie Lewis Pfoutz of Arlington

Patrick Henry Community College
Mr. J. Clyde Hooker, Jr. of Martinsville

Paul D. Camp Community College
Hon. J. Paul Councill, Jr. of Franklin

Piedmont Virginia Community College
Mrs. Patricia M. Kluge & Mr. William J. Moses of Charlottesville

Rappahannock Community College
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Tallent of Reedville

Southside Virginia Community College
Mr. Robert C. Wrenn of Emporia

Southwest Virginia Community College
Mr. Earl E. Dellinger of Grundy

Thomas Nelson Community College
The Williamsburg Community Health Foundation

Tidewater Community College
Mr. Doyle E. Hull of Norfolk

Virginia Highlands Community College
Mr. Michael J. Quillen of Abingdon

Virginia Western Community College
Mr. Stanard F. Lanford of Roanoke

Wytheville Community College
Mrs. Carolyn Frazier Sanders of Wytheville

Biographies and high-resolution images of the award recipients are available upon request.

About Virginia's Community Colleges
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 www.myfuture.vccs.edu.

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