Virginia Community College Philanthropy Leaders
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 April 21 with the Fourth Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy “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.
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Mrs. Jean Clary Bagley (Center) is the 2009 Philanthropy Leader from Southside Virginia Community College honored by the Virginia Community College System recently. She is shown with members of the class that she and her associates at Century 21 Clary mentored through school who now attend SVCC as part of the program to provide one year of a community college education to these students. These 2008 graduates of Park View High School who are now SVCC students are (left to right) Larry Jones, Jr., Barry Simmons, Kevin House and Jessica Whitehouse. |
The honoree chosen from Southside Virginia Community College is Mrs. Jean Clary Bagley of South Hill. Believing that Children Are Really Extra Special (C.A.R.E.S), she and her associates at Century 21 Clary established CARES in the 1990s and adopted a grade of children to mentor and encourage through school. After adopting a class of 87 students at South Hill Primary School, she and her foundation nurtured them through the early years. At middle school when these students were joined by others from Mecklenburg County, CARES adopted them, too.
The goal was to mentor the students by financing field trips to museums, plays, concerts, business tours, opening bank accounts, picnics and much more. The goal was for each child to pass every grade and graduate high school. Then the dream grew to include sending each one to at least one year of community college.
Century 21 Clary partnered with SVCC and the Virginia Prepaid Tuition Trust Fund to make the dream of college a reality. In 2008, the class graduated from Park View High School and now many of them are attending SVCC as well as other colleges around the state and nation.
Mrs. Bagley has served on many boards and also as the President of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce.
In his speech to the philanthropy honorees, 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 colleges 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.
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
(c) 2009. Southside Virginia Community College. All rights reserved.
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