NRCC News

NRCC Philanthropists Honored at 2019 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy

May 03 2019

This is an archived article!

This article was published on May 03 2019 and was archived on May 04 2020. The information below may be outdated or inaccurate.

The Virginia Community College System and Chancellor Glenn DuBois has presented Lee and Anne Wheeler of Giles County with the 14th Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy.  The Wheelers were nominated for the award by New River Community College.

The couple was recognized along with two dozen other individuals, families and businesses from around Virginia for their exceptional support of Virginia’s Community Colleges. The awards were presented at a luncheon sponsored by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education in Richmond on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. As part of the award, each college will receive funds for the Commonwealth Legacy Scholarship, to be named in honor of the college’s 2019 Chancellor’s Award recipient.

For more than 25 years, Anne and Lee Wheeler have been steadfast supporters of New River Community College.  Anne has served as a member of both the NRCC College Board and the NRCC Educational Foundation Board.

In supporting the educational and economic development efforts of Giles County, the Wheelers were significant players in starting the Access to Community College Education (ACCE) program. 

“Because of their commitment and hard work, in cooperation with other community leaders, students in Giles County may receive up to two years of full tuition assistance to attend NRCC.  We are grateful for their generosity,” said Dr. Pat Huber, NRCC president.

Now in its fourteenth year, the Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy recognizes outstanding leaders who have helped support Virginia’s Community Colleges and their respective foundations. This year’s class of distinguished philanthropy leaders has contributed a combined total of more than $18 million dollars to Virginia’s Community Colleges.

Donald Graham, keynote speaker and Chairman of the Board at Graham Holdings Company and Co-Founder of TheDream.US, spoke about the importance of Virginia’s Community Colleges and the ways that the philanthropists have contributed to the Commonwealth.

“We are in this room today to tell you, whether you work for one of the colleges or have given to one of the colleges, that what you are doing is absolutely right,” Graham said during his remarks. “I am so proud of this crowd for what you’re doing, and I hope you are proud of yourselves and your fellow donors and of the leaders and teachers at the community colleges you serve.”

About Virginia’s Community Colleges: Since 1966, Virginia’s Community Colleges have given everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills so lives and communities are strengthened. By making higher education and workforce training available in every part of Virginia, we elevate all of Virginia. Together, Virginia’s Community Colleges serve more than 241,000 students each year. For more information, please visit www.vccs.edu.

 About the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education:  Working hand in hand with Virginia’s 23 community colleges, the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education seeks to guarantee financial assistance to all students who dream of attending college. The foundation is building an endowment that is already generating interest to provide full scholarships to selected community college students; helping more Virginia foster youth pursue and complete higher education through the Great Expectations program; and leading a partnership to improve rural Virginia’s education pipeline through the Rural Virginia Horseshoe Initiative. Learn how the Virginia Foundation for Community College is building the future of Virginia. Visit VFCCE.org.