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IMPACT
THE MAGAZINE OF THE VIRGINIA WESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
WINTER 2021
RESPONDING TO
STUDENT
NEEDS
Virginia Western launches
urgent initiatives in
unprecedented year
PAGE 30
Innovation grants are conduit A tribute to Anderson Hall and its
for creativity P A G E 1 7 enduring legacy P A G E 2 2
Highlights
LEADERSHIP
Students come
first during
unprecedented
crisis
Page 4
BY THE
NUMBERS
Assessing our
donors’ impact
on the Roanoke
Region
Page 5
CCAP
Community support
needed now more
than ever
Page 10
COLLEGE
NEWS
Anderson Hall
fondly recalled as
home to staff and
students
Page 22
VIRGINIA
WESTERN
FA S T FAC T S
Page 32
GIVING
Student-turned-
donor sees impact
of tutors
Page 34
Annual list of
donors
Page 42
2019 Educational
Foundation Annual
Report
Page 46
F r o m t h e c o v e r After graduating from Virginia Western with an Associate of Science degree, Brooke Bess intends to
transfer and pursue a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology. The CCAP student and Northside High graduate said her dream job is working in
a hospital running tests and lab work to help people determine their illnesses.
I m p a c t m a g a z i n e is published by the Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation Inc. for donors, alumni
and friends of Virginia Western Community College. Content provided by the Educational Foundation staff. Photography by Natalee
Waters. Design by Gretchen Tipps. Graphics by Mohammed El Mehdi Bouchefra.
The mission
of the Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation:
To drive a thriving culture of innovative support and philanthropy
that enables Virginia Western to dramatically transform
individual lives, strengthen communities and
advance economic development.
About the Educational Foundation
The Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation Inc. is
an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) founded in 1980 and dedicated to
supporting student scholarships, faculty development and capital projects
at Virginia Western Community College.
A LETTER FROM THE FOUNDATION CHAIR
BOARD of
DIRECTORS
The needs of tomorrow … 2020
TODAY The Virginia Western
Community College
Educational Foundation is
grateful for the service of its
Board of Directors.
V irginia Western’s mission defines the
College as a “forward-thinking” institution
– flexible, nimble and ready to meet the
Leadership
Neil D. Wilkin Jr., Chair
Deborah L. Petrine, Vice Chair
needs of our students, our community leaders
William J. Farrell II, Treasurer
and the business and industry partners that Tammy Moss Finley, Secretary
drive the growth of our region. J. Kenneth Randolph, Immediate
In 2020, the Educational Foundation Past Chair
stood together with the College to meet the sudden Joyce Kessinger, Local Board
Chair
unprecedented and critical needs that COVID-19 left in our Dr. Robert H. Sandel, College
communities. We worked tirelessly to creatively offer more to President
our students in scholarship and emergency funding, to open
doors of opportunity and to provide keystone support to our Committee Chairs
Barton J. Wilner, Development
institution. Committee
We want to share our stories of hope, resiliency and J. David Wine, Finance and Audit
forward-thinking success in this issue of IMPACT! We celebrate Committee
with you the recurring themes highlighting the power of W. Heywood Fralin, Nominating
Committee
perpetual investment, the inspiration of those who sacrifice Edwin C. Hall, Scholarship and
for others and the confidence gained by looking ahead. I Foundation Grants Committee
think you will especially appreciate stories about the Virginia
Western Rapids Response Student Emergency Fund and At-Large Members
Abney S. Boxley III
Virginia Western ACHIEVE.
Nicholas C. Conte, Esq.
We’ve learned that now, more than ever, we truly must all David Dantzler
come together to make college possible. Christopher Desimone, Esq.
And we thank you now, more than ever, for the power of Russell Ellett
your forward-thinking impact. J. Spencer Frantz
Leon P. Harris
Joseph M. Hoff
Sincerely yours,
Frederick James Jr.
William J. Lemon, Esq.
George W. Logan
Mark R. Pace
Neil D. Wilkin Jr. Andrew J. Parker
Chair
Ex-Officio
Virginia Western Community College
Nicholas F. Taubman
Educational Foundation Board of Directors
President and CEO Directors Emeriti
Optical Cable Corp. G. Len Boone
G. Franklin Flippin
William H. Fralin Jr.
John R. Francis Jr.
Stanard F. Lanford
Dr. Elizabeth W. Payne
John B. Williamson III
PAG E 4 V I RG I N I A W E S T E R N CO M M U N I T Y CO L L EG E E D U C AT I O N A L FO U N DAT I O N
V I RG I N I AW E S T E R N . E D U / FO U N DAT I O N PAG E 5
LEADERSHIP
The following remarks were presented by W. Heywood Fralin, chair
of the Educational Foundation’s Nominating Committee, at the
grand opening of Virginia Western’s STEM building in October 2019.
10
HEYWOOD FRALIN'S
Top
I nnovation is about firsts. It’s about having a vision, about taking the risk to
pioneer change. It might be interesting to you to know that Virginia Western
and the Educational Foundation believe in being first – and are leading the
way as a first-choice institution more often than not – starting with being the first
community college in the Virginia Community College System 50 years ago.
Here’s a Top 10 of ways Virginia Western has been leading the charge in
recent years:
1 2The Hall The Horace
3 Built in
4 Partnered
Associates
Career
Center
began
G. and Ann H.
Fralin Center for
Science and
Health Professions
2015, the
first of only
two such
centers in
with
Roanoke
City and the
Roanoke-
5 In 2018, the
College
successfully
6 Celebrated 10
years of success
for its pioneering
with a opened in 2012, the system, Blacksburg renovated Community College
vision in and celebrated the Maury Technology and opened Access Program in
2006 – the what is still the and Sheila Council the cutting- 2018. CCAP is the first
first such largest single gift Strauss Family to launch edge Al Pollard community college
center in for scholarships Student Life the RAMP Culinary promise program in
the state. received in the Center was business Institute facility the Commonwealth,
Virginia Community named in accelerator in downtown still leading in capacity
College System. 2019. in 2016. Roanoke. and impact.
PAG E 6 V I RG I N I A W E S T E R N CO M M U N I T Y CO L L EG E E D U C AT I O N A L FO U N DAT I O N
7
In August 2019,
launched the
Fralin Futures
8 Opened the Virginia
Western Student
Co-Op fueled by
9
Retention is a hot topic in our
Commonwealth. Virginia Western takes
success very seriously. We are glad to
10 The Virginia Western
Educational
Foundation ranks
scholarships, Kroger in September report that student retention as of February in the Top 5 in the
the largest and 2019, fighting 2019, from fall to spring of all entering VCCS in assets
first direct "finish hunger in a first-of- Virginia Western program-placed students, under management
line" scholarships its-kind community was 75 percent. CCAP students did even – for our size, we
for STEM college partnership better, with 86 percent retention over are making a real
students in the for national investors the same time period. What’s more, the statement, especially
Commonwealth. Kroger and Kraft- College has increased its graduation rate as we ranked 14th
Heinz. by 10 percent in 5 years. only 8 years ago. •
V I RG I N I AW E S T E R N . E D U / FO U N DAT I O N PAG E 7
A LETTER FROM THE COLLEGE PRESIDENT
IN TIMES OF NATIONAL CRISIS,
Our students
still come first
T his has been a time of tremendous upheaval nationally
and in our community. The COVID-19 pandemic has
changed how we live our lives and operate our businesses
in order to remain as safe as possible. The economy has
faced unprecedented challenges, and protests and political
unrest continue as people seek to make their voices heard.
One sure constant, however, has been Virginia Western
Community College’s commitment to our students, and our dedication to
helping them achieve their academic and life goals.
The Virginia Western Educational Foundation and your support are
critical to our students’ success. The pandemic hit in the middle of spring
semester and forced us to quickly transition to provide online learning
capability. Our faculty and staff performed amazing work to ensure students
would have the support they need to continue to achieve their academic
aspirations. Meanwhile, the Educational Foundation adapted creatively to
provide essential resources and additional opportunities.
This public health crisis has clearly shown the importance of Virginia
Western’s Educational Foundation. Many students could not have continued
without the Educational Foundation’s support, and you will read more about
this in these pages. As we close fall semester, more students than ever are
relying on the Community College Access Program (CCAP), scholarships and
emergency funds to help them achieve their higher education goals.
I have many reasons to be proud of the work of our Educational
Foundation. Nothing makes me more delighted, though, than the fact it is the
largest distributor of scholarships, both in number and in monetary funds, of
any foundation within the Virginia Community College System. We truly put
our students first at Virginia Western.
Thank you for your continued support, and I hope you enjoy these stories.
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert H. Sandel
President
Virginia Western Community College
PAG E 8 V I RG I N I A W E S T E R N CO M M U N I T Y CO L L EG E E D U C AT I O N A L FO U N DAT I O N
V I RG I N I AW E S T E R N . E D U / FO U N DAT I O N PAG E 9
CCAP student
Mackenzie Eubank
is pursuing a respiratory
therapy degree at Virginia
Western. The Northside
High graduate wants
to focus on helping
children with pediatric
disorders.
PAG E 1 0 V I RG I N I A W E S T E R N CO M M U N I T Y CO L L EG E E D U C AT I O N A L FO U N DAT I O NCCAP
Community spirit
makes college possible
– and we're needed now more than ever
V irginia Western’s Community
College Access Program was
the first program of its kind in the
community involvement was found
in Virginia Western’s CCAP, and
Pinnacle Bank came forward with a
Commonwealth, creating a way $25,000 gift in support of the families
to bring our community together to in its new neighborhood.
make college possible. We have As we all recover together from
spent the past 12 years coming the events of 2020, we know that
together to build a strong framework hope, education and community
of hope and support for more than spirit must lead the way in building a
3,000 deserving students. strong future for our region. At a time
Virginia Western’s CCAP when more students and families
provides up to three years of tuition than ever before will be looking to
support for eligible high school Virginia Western to help them find
graduates in our service region. J. Kenneth Randolph
their way forward, we come to all of
Students may attend either full- or President, Rockydale
you to consider how you, too, might
part-time, and may pursue either Quarries Inc.
join us in reaching out a helping
associate degrees or fast-track CCAP2 Campaign Co-Chair
hand.
career training programs. CCAP is To our alumni and friends, to
funded as a unique 50/50 match – parents of past CCAP students,
locality funds are matched equally and to the many businesses that
by those donated to the Virginia make our region run – please,
Western Educational Foundation consider a gift of any size to reach
from businesses, foundations and out that helping hand. CCAP was
generous individuals. created for just this purpose – to fill
Community spirit is at the heart the funding gap, to build our local
of this program. Pinnacle Bank is a workforce, and to create an impact
perfect embodiment of that spirit. greater than the sum of its parts.
In 2019, newly arriving in Roanoke CCAP is all about all of us coming
and bringing its community vision together to make college possible.
in focus, Pinnacle visited Virginia To learn more, or to meet with
Western to learn more about us, and one of us to talk about the program
Christopher Desimone, Esq.
to find out about the Educational and about how you can make
Anderson, Desimone and
Foundation’s role in bringing a difference, contact Amanda
Green
economic development through Mansfield, Philanthropy Director, at
CCAP2 Campaign Co-Chair
education to our communities. amansfield@virginiawestern.edu, or
A clear alignment of priorities in (540) 857-6962. •
virginiawestern.edu/makecollegepossible
V I RG I N I AW E S T E R N . E D U / FO U N DAT I O N PAG E 1 1VIRGINIA WESTERN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Virginia Western NAMES TONY PEARMAN DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS
T he Virginia Western Community College Educational
Foundation recognized Tony Pearman (’10), President
and CEO of Access Advertising and Public Relations,
of the Year award and the American Advertising
Federation Silver Medal.
Access has been recognized with national Healthcare
with its 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award. Pearman first Advertising Awards, Cannonballs from The Richmond
attended Virginia Western in 1998, later returning for Show, Telly Awards, hundreds of local, regional and
additional coursework in 2008 and 2010. national ADDY Awards, CASE awards for work in higher
“Virginia Western has been a trusted source of learning education and Summit Awards from the Public Relations
for myself, and for many members of my firm, for more Society of America. Through philanthropic and pro bono
than 20 years by not only providing ongoing continuing work that supports the community it serves, Access has
education but also producing some of Access’s and been recognized for its impact in child abuse prevention,
this region’s most talented marketers,” with the Roanoke City Police Department,
Pearman said. “As one of our strongest the YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge, the
client relationships, Access has been Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation,
proud to give back to Virginia Western by Habitat for Humanity and others. In 2006,
working to support the vital resources they Access became the first advertising and PR
provide for our community.” firm to be recognized with a Perry F. Kendig
Pearman and colleague Todd Award for its support of the arts.
Marcum formed Access Advertising & Pearman continues to support Virginia
Public Relations in 1996. Since its founding, Western student success and achievement
the agency has grown to serve clients Tony through the Pearman Annual Scholarship,
throughout the Eastern United States Pearman which provides assistance for tuition, books
and around the globe, and boasts and other related expenses to second-year
more than 450 design and public relations awards for students enrolled in the College’s Visual Design Program
excellence. Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., with an on a full- or part-time basis. In fall 2020, Access also
office in Richmond, Access specializes in regional and provided the lead gift for the new Virginia Western BIPOC
national industry relationships that include focused work (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) Scholarship for
in healthcare, higher education and business-to-business. advertising and communications students.
As a leading industry advocate for creative idea “Tony’s story illustrates the best outcomes of
generation and impact, Pearman has served as chair community college opportunity. His accomplishments
of the National ADDY Committee, is a member of the and service have impacted so many lives – and his
national American Advertising Federation (AAF) Board dedication to the success of our students is tremendous.
of Directors, and is the recipient of the AAF Silver Medal We are honored and proud to recognize him as a
for lifetime contributions to the advertising industry. Distinguished Alumnus,” said Dr. Robert H. Sandel,
Pearman has received both the Advertising Person President of Virginia Western Community College. •
To learn more or to nominate a candidate for the award, go to virginiawestern.edu/alumni/distinguished.php.
JOIN YOUR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION TODAY!
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V I RG I N I AW E S T E R N . E D U / FO U N DAT I O N PAG E 1 3SCHOLARSHIPS
Virginia Western
Community College
President Dr. Robert
H. Sandel accepts a
$50,000 donation from
officials of Virginia
SCHOLARSHIP HELPS PREPARE Housing.
STUDENTS FOR CAREERS IN
construction
V irginia Western Community
College began its spring 2020
semester with a new Construction
construction sectors. The result of
collaborations with local industry
professionals and businesses,
project management.
To launch the program,
Virginia Housing donated $50,000
Management Career Studies the program provides students to establish a Construction
Certificate that prepares students such in-demand skills as cost Management Scholarship with the
for entry-level management jobs estimating, safety and building Educational Foundation to cover
in the commercial and residential code compliance, supervision and the cost of tuition, books and fees.
PAG E 1 4 V I RG I N I A W E S T E R N CO M M U N I T Y CO L L EG E E D U C AT I O N A L FO U N DAT I O NNew Educational
Foundation Scholarship
and Program Funds
On March 3, 2020, the Educational Foundation
brought Virginia Housing and local industry Established July 1, 2019,
leaders together to celebrate. An impromptu to June 30, 2020
roundtable discussion emerged, and key issues • The William Bernard Alphin Annual Scholarship
and needs were candidly discussed.
• Appalachian Power Transform SWVA
“We’ve been talking about our needs in the
• Construction Management Certificate Program
region, and it’s great to see this opportunity Scholarship
in response,” said
• Culinary Scholarship Fund (Rosie’s Gaming
Samuel Lionberger III, Emporium)
To learn more Chief Executive Officer, • VFCCE Commonwealth Legacy Scholarship
about the Lionberger Construction.
• Virginia Western ACHIEVE
Construction “We as industry partners
• Student Tutoring Program Support Fund
Management need to prepare and
program, call • George T. Wade Memorial Annual Scholarship
commit to ensuring
(540) 857-7272 • Workforce Kiwanis Fund
or visit these students have jobs
virginiawestern. waiting for them when • Innovate Your Future Scholarship
edu/academics/ they complete their
btt/programs/ education.”
construction
The Construction
mgmt.php. How to establish a
Management program
For information offers flexibility for students scholarship
about the who want to pursue the Scholarship funds provide support for tuition,
Construction books and other related expenses for qualifying
certificate part-time
Management Virginia Western students. The Educational
Scholarship or to while still working during
Foundation administers two basic types of
donate, contact the day. Most of the scholarships:
Philanthropy program’s classes are Annual scholarships
Director Amanda offered during evenings, You may fund a named scholarship on an annual
Mansfield at basis that awards the entire amount during the
and some can be
(540) 857-6962 year in which you give it.
or amansfield@ completed in a weekend.
virginia “This scholarship Endowed scholarships
You may fund a named scholarship that will
western.edu. program will help continue to help students in perpetuity and leave
fill the shortage of a lasting legacy for your family or organization.
skilled workers in the An endowed scholarship may be funded over a
maximum of five years.
construction industry, which in turn will help
increase the amount of affordable housing in • To learn more, contact Philanthropy Director
Amanda Mansfield at (540) 857-6962 or
the Commonwealth,” said Virginia Housing Chief
amansfield@virginiawestern.edu.
Executive Officer Susan Dewey. “We are very
• To donate to an established scholarship, please
pleased to help Virginians pursue their certificates go online to virginiawestern.edu/foundation.
in construction management, and we would like
to thank the Roanoke Regional Housing Network
and Virginia Western Community College for
helping to make this program a reality.” • A complete listing of Virginia Western
scholarships can be found at
virginiawestern.edu/foundation/
scholarship/list.php
V I RG I N I AW E S T E R N . E D U / FO U N DAT I O N PAG E 1 5ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
RAMP's 2020 startup cohort
included these companies:
RAMP GOES
virtual
Abstract Assembly, LLC
is a space-centered technology company
that has created a program that eases the
process of designing and prototyping
small satellites. By using the program,
satellite designers will be able to create
models that reflect needed changes in
By Tiffany Michelle Stevens seconds; such adjusted designs usually
require 16 to 24 hours of labor.
L ike many organizations, the RAMP
business accelerator program faced
a difficult obstacle in 2020: how best to
Itus Digital develops analytical software
and engineering models which predict potential equipment failures for
large industrial facilities
and industrial equipment
go virtual. manufacturers, in addition
As a regional initiative that aims to to providing workers with
help science, technology, engineering, insights to preventative
measures so that future
math and health (STEM-H) companies
malfunctions can be avoid-
test their products before entering the ed altogether.
wider market, RAMP — short for the
Regional Acceleration and Mentoring Local Food Network streamlines the process by which
chefs and grocery managers usually order their food from farmers and pro-
Program — was used to working with
ducers. Customers can use Local Food Network’s platform to send a single,
companies facing a plethora of unique comprehensive order, even when the order
challenges. In 2020, however, COVID-19 includes purchases from multiple vendors.
required that the program adjust to
Rendyr ’s product, the Optic Portable
accommodate social distancing. Laser Cutter, cuts and engraves hundreds
By studying best practices for of materials with industrial precision. Unlike
Zoom meetings, RAMP Director Mary conventional laser cutters, Rendyr’s all-
in-one device is the first with integrated
Miller said she and Virginia Western
filtration and the unique ability to set up
Community College adjunct instructors the machine and — by detaching the cut-
Lisa Garcia and Mike Abbott were ting mat — engrave directly on any stable
able to learn how best to keep cohort surface.
members engaged. Zoom also allowed
QuickTech develops analytical
Miller and other RAMP members to software and manufactures a diagnostic
still conduct events like Meet the tool that allows medical workers to measure joints on patients suffering from
arthritis, stroke, burns and other ailments. QuickTech hopes to use their tech-
Cohort, in which local business owners
nology to gather and analyze data that steer doctors and clinicians toward
and entrepreneurs learn more about more effective treatment processes that speed recovery time.
selected companies.
As in previous years, RAMP’s 2020 Yindividual provides small
businesses and independent
cohort members received free Wi-Fi
creators with an afford-
and office space for a year, in addition able, customizable and
to the three months of entrepreneurial multifaceted Super-App
training led by Abbott and Garcia. through which local
companies can more
While learning material was posted easily compete with
online for 2020 sessions, cohort teams chain franchises
were permitted to work in the Gill and conglomerates.
The company hopes
Memorial Building on South Jefferson
to solve mobile app
Street in downtown Roanoke. • fatigue while bringing
businesses and customers
closer together.
PAG E 1 6 V I RG I N I A W E S T E R N CO M M U N I T Y CO L L EG E E D U C AT I O N A L FO U N DAT I O NFACULTY SUPPORT
innovation
FUNDING A DECADE OF
By Karenna Glover College’s grant specialist in 2016, the Educational
Foundation awarded $13,000 in grants, split
T wo hours a week in a lab is not always enough
for students to adequately explore, learn and
prepare for exams. Lab availability is limited by
among four projects. Back then, it was a struggle,
Seagle said, to even get those four employees to
consider applying for the grants. A strengthened
schedules and space, but beginning in 2020-21, collaboration between the College and the
STEM students at Virginia Western Educational Foundation, along
Community College will have greater with increased promotion and
access to microscopes thanks to education, has led to greater
funding received from an Innovation awareness among faculty and
Grant. staff, and in turn more applications.
Dr. Matthew Goff, professor A variety of grant coaching
of biology, is one of six 2020-21 workshops are offered every year,
‘
Innovation Grant recipients and and past awardees are asked
has used the funding to purchase to serve as grant champions to
additional microscopes and slides for spur creative ideas and assist
the STEM Center, where students can colleagues with the application
spend extra time with a microscope The goal of the process.
in the walk-in tutoring center. “We go through the basics
Foundation is to
Funded by the Educational of what’s allowable with grant
Foundation, the Innovation Grants attract really good funding and what’s not and why,
’
Program annually awards up faculty and improve and teaching why a funder would
to $10,000 to faculty or staff to education to the want to support an idea – what
implement a novel idea that impacts merit they see in it,” said Marilyn
highest level possible
student success. Herbert-Ashton, Vice President of
so our students are
“These funds are a conduit for Institutional Advancement. “We
creativity and expanding what employable. want to spur creativity and help
services can be provided to our EDWIN "ED" HALL them understand the grant process
students,” said Carolyn Payne, SCHOLARSHIP AND so they potentially go after larger
GRANTS COMMITTEE
CCAP and Scholarship Program CHAIR grant opportunities that will benefit
Coordinator. “It’s common for all our students.”
of us to hunker down and get our jobs done and The Educational Foundation has been
not feel the freedom to think out of the box. This providing Innovation Grants for 12 years. This year
funding allows us to help move the College in a the Foundation awarded nearly $24,000, an 85
more expansive and innovative direction.” percent jump in just four years. Increased support
A fresh creative approach to managing from the business community and public has
the grants program has helped grow interest, raised more Educational Foundation funds and
applications and funding over the past few years. made this growth possible. The investment made
When Stephanie Seagle started her job as the by the Educational Foundation is much greater
V I RG I N I AW E S T E R N . E D U / FO U N DAT I O N PAG E 1 7FACULTY SUPPORT
than microscopes and slides or other project time-consuming if you have an idea and stay
materials, according to Edwin “Ed” Hall, Chair organized.”
‘
of the Foundation’s Scholarship and Grants Open to any Virginia Western faculty or
Committee. staff, applications are available in January and
“The goal of the Foundation is to attract really due in March. Awards are announced in early
good faculty and improve May. Since 2010, more than
education to the highest level These funds have been $250,000 has been awarded
possible so our students are to 52 grant projects.
and will continue
employable,” said Hall. “We’re Looking ahead to the
focused on the long-term
to be a conduit for next 10 years, Herbert-Ashton
growth of the individual student creativity and expanding believes the foundation for
as well as our community, and what services can be success has been laid, and
these grants provide a means provided. It’s helping the best is yet to come.
for us to continue delivering on “These funds have been
everybody to work in
that.” and will continue to be a
’
The program is also a a more holistic way to conduit for creativity and
way to introduce faculty to think about what funding expanding what services
the grant process and other can do to help move can be provided. It’s helping
larger grant opportunities. everybody to work in a more
the College in a more
Eight innovation grant holistic way to think about
expansive direction.
recipients have also received what funding can do to help
grants from funding sources MARILYN HERBERT-ASHTON move the College in a more
independent of the College. VICE PRESIDENT expansive direction.”
OF INSTITUTIONAL
“We think of our ADVANCEMENT She would like to see
Innovation Grants as starter the total dollars awarded
or gateway grants to boost increase so that larger
creative thinking and projects can be funded. “It
start conversations about would be more impactful to
pioneering projects that do one large-scale initiative
center on student success,” that will affect more students
said Seagle. “We start by and demonstrate more
building confidence and evidence of change,” said
know-how for (faculty) to Herbert-Ashton.
go on and apply for other Hall shares that vision,
funding.” hoping the Educational
As a grant champion, Goff Foundation will continue to
encourages his colleagues raise more funds and expand
to consider applying for an learning opportunities to
Innovation Grant to bring prepare students for jobs in the
to life an idea that promotes student success. region. “Our goal is to keep the College relevant
He hopes to reverse the stigma that grant in the community by educating students
applications are overwhelming and intensive. so they are employable locally and have a
“The grant process is pretty easy if you better quality of life and can contribute to the
know what you want and you have a reason community in a way that they might not with less
or need for funding,” said Goff. “It’s not that education.” •
PAG E 1 8 V I RG I N I A W E S T E R N CO M M U N I T Y CO L L EG E E D U C AT I O N A L FO U N DAT I O NThe grant process is pretty easy if you know what you want and you have a reason or need
for funding. It’s not that time-consuming if you have an idea and stay organized.
DR. MATTHEW GOFF, PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY
V I RG I N I AW E S T E R N . E D U / FO U N DAT I O N PAG E 19FACULTY SUPPORT
Innovation
grants EXPAND PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITY
E ach year, the Educational Foundation seeks to support faculty and staff through its Innovation Grant awards. In
2020-21, it will award more than $23,000 to the following projects:
$5,000
ALLEVIATING BARRIERS FOR ADULT LEARNERS
THROUGH PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENT
Project phase 1 creates an innovative and
more consistent credit-for-prior-learning
program for adult learners through portfolio
development, assessment and evaluation.
Professional development will educate us
on how to engage key players, administer
processes, create a pipeline of faculty evaluators,
and outreach to students.
Awardee: Cathy Ferguson, School of CCT
$7,242
MICROSCOPES AND SLIDES FOR STEM CENTER
The primary goal of this project is to obtain
microscopes and slides for the STEM Center.
Students will have greater access to microscopes
they can utilize to enhance their technique and
study for Biology laboratory exams.
Awardee: Matthew Goff, School of STEM
$5,000
VWCC/NORTHWEST COLLABORATIVE:
UNITED FOR IMPACT
To increase the footprint of Virginia Western
in Northwest Roanoke through collaboration
with neighborhood, nonprofit and grassroots
organizations which promote health, education
and training and community development.
Awardee: Dr. Cheryl Hilton, TRiO Pathways
PAG E 2 0 V I RG I N I A W E S T E R N CO M M U N I T Y CO L L EG E E D U C AT I O N A L FO U N DAT I O NFEDERAL GRANT AIMS
TO REACH, SUPPORT
$3,000
ACCELERATING THE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY
PATHWAY
adult
learners
Increase students in BTT's Automotive Analysis &
Repair CSC courses. Expand program capacity, increase
opportunity for new course development in automotive
technology and support new automotive course
partnerships focused on new English language learners.
Awardee: Will Preston, School of CCT
I n fall 2020, the Virginia Western Community
College was awarded a five-year, $1.8 million
grant from the U.S. Department of Education Title
III Strengthening Institutions Program to develop
$2,700 and support educational pathways to help
underserved adult learners graduate and achieve
successful employment. The program, titled Get
EXPANDING MACHINING PROGRAM
REAL (Refocus Education on Adult Learners), will
CAPACITY
Restructure teaching space support the upscaling of services to effectively
to create two dedicated teaching reach out to and support adult learners, especially
areas for the Machining Lab at the those from low income circumstances.
current Melrose Campus; rearrange
the machine shop layout to group
“Now, more than ever, adult learners
machines to match the curriculum of need our support as they seek the education
the classes (Fundamentals, Milling, and hands-on training they need to build a
Turning and CNC Programming).
career and improve their families’ lives,” said
Consolidate the former Industrial
Maintenance lab equipment with newly Dr. Robert H. Sandel, President of Virginia
purchased Mechatronics Fundamentals Western. “This grant will help us focus on these
equipment into the STEM building for students’ unique needs and boost our region’s
our partnership with the Mechatronics
economic recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic
academic program.
Awardee: Bryan Walke, has negatively affected us all, but it has had
School of CCT a disproportionate impact on individuals who
struggle to make ends meet during the best
of times. Now we will have more opportunities
$500
to help these people find their pathway to the
middle class through higher education.”
IMPROV FOR CREATIVE TEACHING The Get REAL project’s main goals are to:
AND LEARNING Improve College Access (enrollment) for all,
Help foster a more creative especially adult and underrepresented learners.
culture at Virginia Western —
ultimately improving the student Improve Academic Success (student
learning experience — by providing outcomes), especially for underrepresented
Cheryl Hilton, an opportunity for faculty and staff to adult learners.
project lead for learn the basic techniques of improv
Begin to track and improve Economic Success
TRiO Pathways theater.
Awardee: Stephanie Seagle, (labor market outcomes) for Career and Technical
innovation grant
Institutional Advancement Education (CTE) program graduates (courses
intended to lead to immediate employment). •
V I RG I N I AW E S T E R N . E D U / FO U N DAT I O N PAG E 2 1COLLEGE NEWS PAG E 2 2 V I RG I N I A W E S T E R N CO M M U N I T Y CO L L EG E E D U C AT I O N A L FO U N DAT I O N
ANDERSON HALL REMEMBERED
AS FOUNDATION OF
growth Built in the '60s, the beloved building
housed generations of Virginia Western students.
V I RG I N I AW E S T E R N . E D U / FO U N DAT I O N PAG E 2 3COLLEGE NEWS
By Tiffany Michelle Stevens
A s a young mailroom clerk working in
Anderson Hall in the late 1990s, Amy
Maiolo knew she didn’t have to worry about
reaching her car safely after work. Lou Bass, a
Virginia Western Community College professor
who taught biology in the building at the time,
was looking out for her.
“Back then, the lights in the parking lot
above Anderson were constantly going out,”
Maiolo said. “I was a young girl right out of
college and he and another biology teacher
were concerned about my safety.”
Years later, Maiolo said, Bass remained a
comforting and protective presence in the
building. Even after he died, she still sometimes
was reminded of him while walking through
Anderson.
“When I’d get in the elevator to take the deliveries upstairs, all
of the sudden I could smell Lou,” Maiolo said. “There was a certain
smell from the brand of cigarettes he smoked — I don’t know what
brand he had — and the formaldehyde from the lab. Sometimes
at night, I would all of a sudden smell that when I was getting
ready to leave. It wasn’t frightening; it was comforting, like Lou was
watching over me.”
Lou Bass’s memory is
only one of several that
faculty and students
alike associate with
life in Anderson Hall.
Over the years, the
building has played a
critical role in Virginia
Western’s development.
The College’s science,
technology, math and
dental programs all can
trace their start to the
historic building, and
many programs outside of
the school’s STEM offerings
have taught their classes
in Anderson as well.
PAG E 2 4 V I RG I N I A W E S T E R N CO M M U N I T Y CO L L EG E E D U C AT I O N A L FO U N DAT I O N“It was really a foundation for many of the Anderson, a Revolutionary War veteran and local
programs we have now. So many programs and official who lived in Botetourt County in the late 18th
people can trace their root to Anderson Hall,” and early 19th centuries.
said Amy White, Dean of the School of Science, The decision to demolish Anderson Hall came
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). about, in part, due to Virginia Western’s need for
expanded STEM resources on campus. In 2006, a
New generations of Virginia Western students will team evaluated Anderson Hall to see if it could be
not have an opportunity to become acquainted remodeled to accommodate the classroom and
with Anderson, however. The building was laboratory needs of STEM students. When experts
demolished during the summer of 2020; a potential determined that features such as the building’s
green space is slated to take its place, with room waffle slab structure and its inefficient energy systems
in the future for an amphitheater to be built that would make Anderson Hall difficult to remodel, the
students, faculty and visitors alike can enjoy. Hill College built the Horace G. and Ann H. Fralin Center
Studio conducted an intensive architectural study in for Science and Health Professions in 2013. A new
2019 to lay out potential future uses for the area. STEM Center followed in 2019, on the south side of
“From a sentimental standpoint, it is bittersweet. I campus.
went up there one day when it was being demolished
and just paused for a little while and thought about It wasn’t just the building’s structure that made
the last 15 years,” White said. “It was a great time Anderson Hall a bad fit for remodeling. Many of the
to reflect on so many talented people who came departments inside the building had been making
through those doors and grew within those walls.” do with outdated equipment to teach students.
The Virginia Community College System Dental hygiene students, for example, were manually
established Virginia Western as its first of 23 institutions developing X-ray film instead of having access to
in 1966. Erected between 1967 and 1969, Anderson more modern digital techniques.
Hall was one of the first three buildings constructed Even the space where students would practice
as part of the new college. Located on the northern basic cleaning techniques was outdated. Colleen
part of campus in the Court of the Four Seasons, it is McGowan, co-director of Virginia Western’s dental
neighbored by the other two buildings constructed hygiene program, said that the dental clinic
between 1967 and 1969 — Brown Library and contained an open bay where students conducted
Fishburn Hall. Anderson Hall was named for William cleanings.
V I RG I N I AW E S T E R N . E D U / FO U N DAT I O N PAG E 2 5COLLEGE NEWS
“It was one big room and all the
chairs were set up like a horseshoe,
and you could actually reach out and
touch the patient next to you. You
could hear the conversations to your
right and left and in front of you, you
could watch someone get their teeth
cleaned,” McGowan said. “Given the
times we’re in, and even with things
like HIPAA, they don’t make those
kinds of clinics anymore.”
Marty Sullivan, dean of Virginia
Western’s School of Health Professions,
said complaints about the outdated
equipment frequently came up in
student exit surveys. In some cases,
graduates complained that their
employers had to train them on newer
technology.
“Now we are all digital, so it’s all
real time and that offers a lot less
radiation exposure to patients,”
Sullivan said. “We also went to a
state-of-the-art dental clinic that has Anderson Hall did not only play host to students
electronic medical records, so we don’t have any and faculty during its years as an academic facility.
more paper charts. We have modern sterilization, Among Maiolo and other campus veterans, the
we have modern instrumentation and modern building affectionately became known as the “Critter
equipment.” Building” for its seemingly mystical draw over nearby
Sullivan said the improvements made to the dental fauna. In addition to chipmunks and groundhogs, the
hygiene program after it left Anderson Hall are in line building became a frequent nesting and rest stop for
with the vision that Alice Becker Hinchcliffe Williams local birds. Rich Crites, a beloved biology teacher at
had when she founded the program in 1970. Virginia Western known by students and staff as “Mr.
“She was a dental hygienist and she approached Wildflower,” was particularly enamored of the barn
the College to say you should offer this education,” swallows that built their nests on the sides and back of
Sullivan said. “That’s how the program started the building, Maiolo said.
and it’s going strong. When Alice died, she left an “When the guys would come and mow, they would
endowment for dental hygiene scholarships. We swoop down — they fly like bats — and sometimes
also have some discretionary funding that allows it would scare the students a little bit. They thought
us to offer some things to our students through there were bats out in the daytime,” Maiolo said. “Rich
the endowment that they otherwise might not Crites was always talking about the birds. Every time I
have the opportunity to have. We’ve been able see the barn swallows I think fondly of him.” Another
to buy equipment, we’ve been able to do faculty critter favorite were the chipmunks that resided right
development through these funds, so she was really outside of Anderson. Pam Woody, a longtime Health
instrumental.” Science advisor, fed these residents religiously; they
PAG E 2 6 V I RG I N I A W E S T E R N CO M M U N I T Y CO L L EG E E D U C AT I O N A L FO U N DAT I O Nwould almost run to her when
she came to feed them each
day, even after she moved into
the Fralin building.
Maiolo said she also fondly
remembers Anderson Hall,
especially the role the building
played in bringing the campus
together during its formative
years. Since Anderson played
host to the mailroom for a large
portion of campus, Maiolo
was able to get to know the
majority of the professors and
other staff members working
in the business and science
divisions. She fondly recalls
chatting with former Virginia
Western Dean Debbie Yancey
back when she was a work-
study student on campus.
For her, Anderson Hall was a
chief example of how Virginia
Western’s staff and students
worked hard to build a true community on campus.
“I wish I could’ve kept one of those mailboxes. That was something that reminds me of
the fond memories I have of that building, when everybody would come and get their mail,”
Maiolo said. “Then they’d stop for a few minutes and they’d tell me what things are going on
around campus and check in on me, and then I’d check in on them. That was back when
everybody knew everybody and they made an effort to get to know who was in the office.
V I RG I N I AW E S T E R N . E D U / FO U N DAT I O N PAG E 2 7CAMPUS NEWS
There was always a big thing about welcoming new who passed away in September 2020. Koudelik-Jones
people.” began as a math instructor, then served as Math
White, too, said the building holds warm memories Program Head and assistant dean under Kornegay.
for her, not just as a place of employment but also She then went on to administration and served as the
as a place where her children grew up. She said Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and led the College
her kids remember playing in Anderson’s halls and through the successful SACS fifth-year review.
begging for sweets from Mary Perry, who served as Although newer generations of Virginia Western
administrative assistant over science and math. Julia students won’t get to experience Anderson Hall
Andrews, the administrative assistant over health, directly, White believes the building’s legacy will
also played a crucial role in bringing the building’s continue. The building’s story, and its next iteration,
occupants together, White said. is proof of the growth that Virginia Western has been
“Anything you needed to know about Virginia able to accomplish over the past 50-plus years.
Western, you asked those two ladies,” White said. “The way I see it, Anderson isn’t dead because it
“They really ran the whole building.” lives on in Fralin,” White said. “It lives on in the STEM
They were supervised by Dean Anne Kornegay, building; it lives on in the Business Science building
who was instrumental in the role that Anderson played and in the administrative wing of Fishburn Hall. The
on campus, and who mentored many campus leaders knowledge and spirit of Anderson Hall will continue to
such as Sullivan, White and Rachelle Koudelik-Jones, impact students for years to come.” •
PAG E 2 8 V I RG I N I A W E S T E R N CO M M U N I T Y CO L L EG E E D U C AT I O N A L FO U N DAT I O NVWCC NURSING FACULTY EARN
CNE
distinction
F or the first time in the history of
Virginia Western Community
College’s Nursing Program, six
faculty members have earned
the designation of Certified
Nurse Educator (CNE), one of the
highest distinctions for a nurse
educator.
The faculty members earned
the credential by meeting strict
eligibility criteria and successfully
completing a rigorous exam
administered by the National
The current
League of Nursing.
Virginia Western
“It’s important that we are Community College
always challenging ourselves to nursing faculty,
be better, and we also want to shown in a photo
from a 2019 holiday
be the best for our students to
party
inspire them to be successful.
The way to do that is to be at the top of our game,” community.”
said Lauren Hayward, Administrative Officer for the Having most faculty members with this certification
College’s Nursing Program. is unique for an associate-level nursing program, said
Nationally, the failure rate for the CNE exam is high, Marilyn Herbert-Ashton, Vice President of Institutional
so the College was committed to providing the faculty Advancement.
with the tools they needed to prepare for success. “This is another way to demonstrate that our faculty
The Virginia Western Community College Educational are continuously learning, and that commitment
Foundation awarded an Innovation Grant in 2020 to lifelong learning is important for nursing students
to provide funding to establish a library of resources, to see,” Herbert-Ashton said. “It’s another way for
study materials and test fees. the community to see that we have a stellar nursing
Five of the six faculty members were scheduled to program, taught by faculty of the highest caliber.”
test in March 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic The Virginia Western Nursing Program is accredited
disrupted testing schedules, postponing exam by the Accreditation Commission for Education in
completion until late summer. Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the Virginia Board
“They rose to the challenge and kept their heads in of Nursing. There are about 120 first- and second-
the game,” said Hayward. “As nurses, we don’t get to year nursing students enrolled in the concept-based
collapse during a pandemic; we rise. They modeled curriculum program. Sixty students graduated in May
resilience to each other, their peers, students and the 2020 to pursue their careers as registered nurses. •
V I RG I N I AW E S T E R N . E D U / FO U N DAT I O N PAG E 2 9STUDENT SUPPORT
COVID-19 CRISIS SHINES LIGHT ON
emergency
Other
COVID-19
response
fund
Virginia Western
ACHIEVE
At the onset of the
COVID-19 social
distancing and
lockdown mandates,
the Educational
Foundation looked
immediately for ways
to support incoming
A s the COVID-19 crisis unfolded
in spring 2020, the Educational
Foundation responded by focusing on
students. Working
with a cross-campus a longstanding but suddenly urgent
team and the Executive initiative — its student emergency and Virginia Western alumnus said he
Committee of its fund. Students may receive up to wanted to help students struggling
Board of Directors,
$500 from this fund within 48 hours to balance school and financial
the Educational
Foundation accessed of applying — hence its new name, emergencies during the COVID-19
unrestricted funds the Virginia Western Rapids Response crisis. He recalled meeting his wife
from their reserves to 45 years ago in a Virginia Western
Student Emergency Fund.
create Virginia Western
ACHIEVE, a one-time The funding aims to address an geology class. “We were so poor,
tuition grant of $1,000 unforeseen financial hardship that we couldn't afford to buy a Texas
to support deserving threatens to interfere with a student Instruments handheld calculator for
students to attend
completing their coursework. In the each of us, so I used my slide rule and
Virginia Western in fall
2020. These one-time past, the Educational Foundation has gave her the calculator,” he said.
$1,000 scholarship made rent or car repair payments, After graduating from a
incentives were offered paid an electrical or medical bill, Virginia four-year university with an
to 78 students who
provided a grocery store gift card engineering degree, the donor went
would have been
eligible for CCAP in — all one-time assistance that can on to found a successful business.
Botetourt and Roanoke keep a crisis from snowballing and He supported that university as an
Counties had funding
waylaying an educational career. alumnus, “but I realize it’s Virginia
been available.
In 2020, the Educational Western that needs my help now,
Laptop loaner
Foundation also saw students who and they were the first to help me.
program
The pandemic needed help adjusting to online They prepared me for what was to
prompted a swift switch education. It purchased laptops come.”
to online learning and eventually launched a laptop To apply to the Virginia Western
and left some Virginia
Western students loaner pilot program, working with the Rapids Response fund, students
struggling with a College’s Brown Library staff. must be currently enrolled in at
means to pay for tuition Donors immediately responded least 6 credits, have a minimum
and technology. As a
to this emerging need, with one 2.0 GPA and meet other eligibility
result, the Educational
Foundation launched anonymous donor giving $10,000 and requirements. There is no deadline
a laptop loan program, thereby doubling the funds available to apply; applications are accepted
working with Virginia at the time. The retired businessman year-round. •
Western’s Brown
Library and Information
and Educational Learn how you can make an impact at:
Technologies virginiawestern.edu/foundation/student_emergency_fund.php
department.
PAG E 3 0 V I RG I N I A W E S T E R N CO M M U N I T Y CO L L EG E E D U C AT I O N A L FO U N DAT I O NA sweet and spicy benefit
V irginia Western President Dr. Robert H. Sandel was among the celebrity judges on hand March 9, 2020, for
the Virginia Western Chili Cook-Off and Cookie Bake-Off. The event, held in the Horace G. and Ann H.
Fralin Center for Science and Health Professions, attracted student, faculty and staff contestants competing
for the best “sweet” and “heat.” Proceeds benefited the Virginia Western Community College Student Food
Co-Op fueled by Kroger, which in 2019-20 served 369 recipients. For 2020-21, the Co-Op has received renewed
support from both Kroger, as part of its Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative, and key partner Kraft Heinz. •
To learn more about the Virginia Western Community College Student Food Co-Op fueled by Kroger, visit:
virginiawestern.edu/pantrydonate
V I RG I N I AW E S T E R N . E D U / FO U N DAT I O N PAG E 3 1PAG E 3 2 V I RG I N I A W E S T E R N CO M M U N I T Y CO L L EG E E D U C AT I O N A L FO U N DAT I O N
V I RG I N I AW E S T E R N . E D U / FO U N DAT I O N PAG E 3 3
GIVING
Why I give
A Q&A WITH DR. ALLAN SKLAR
A
lifelong learner, Allan Sklar, M.D., is an area nephrologist who has spent the past 15
years practicing in Roanoke, Martinsville, Blacksburg and the New River Valley. Two
years ago, as he approached retirement, Dr. Sklar sought to satisfy a lifelong desire to
study modern physics with an ultimate goal to study the philosophy of physics. Initially, he
thought that he would have to move to a university town to achieve this goal. He met
with the head of the physics department at Virginia Tech, who recommended that he
begin his studies at Virginia Western Community College, a stone’s throw from his home
in Roanoke. A physics professor, Dr. Yangsoo Kim, who formerly taught at Virginia Tech,
was now at the College. Dr. Sklar ultimately took not only Dr. Kim’s courses on university
physics at the College but, over a two-year period, five advanced math courses that are
required to comprehend the language of physics. His experience as a student at Virginia
Western inspired him to establish the Virginia Western Student Tutoring Fund.
Q: What are your impressions of programs. I was glad to see that Virginia
the academic environment at Virginia Western’s motto – “We’ll take you there” –
Western? is actually true.
Early on, I had concerns that I might I was also very impressed with the
encounter a lot of sophomoric behavior caliber of and commitment to teaching
at the College but, instead, discovered a by the faculty members. In addition
healthy, mature and mutually respectful to holding regular office hours, these
environment. My experience at Virginia instructors devote time to the STEM
Western has given me confidence that we Tutoring Center on a daily basis to provide
are raising a generation of young people students with more in-depth explanations
who will be capable of leading us to a of homework problems in a more casual
better future. setting. In general, the faculty make
I was impressed with the work ethic themselves more available to students
and ability of many students whom I than do many of their counterparts, often
encountered in class and at the Tutoring involved in research activities, on the
or STEM Center. There is a contingent larger university campuses.
of students who are military veterans,
and they lend an added dimension of Q: You spent a good deal of time at
discipline and goal orientation to the the STEM Tutoring Center. Why?
academic experience. I found myself The Center is a perfect place to study
among a very intelligent and committed with other students and receive extra
group of students in their freshman and support and attention. While the bulk of
sophomore years, several of whom moved tutoring falls on the shoulders of senior
on with an associate degree to university students who have been selected to
PAG E 3 4 V I RG I N I A W E S T E R N CO M M U N I T Y CO L L EG E E D U C AT I O N A L FO U N DAT I O Nhelp others, there are often more
experienced tutors available as
well.
For example, there is a senior
perennial tutor, Robin Johnson,
who has a phenomenal level of
math and science knowledge as
well as excellent teaching skills
and has been of tremendous
help to the students who flock
around her. Again, what makes
the Center truly special is faculty
involvement.
Q: In addition to the STEM
Tutoring Center, how did you find
the facility overall?
The STEM building is brand
new, with state-of-the-art
classrooms and laboratories,
equipped with modern
instruments including a phase
contrast fluorescence microscope,
a multiphoton confocal
microscope, a scanning electron
microscope, spectrometers,
3-D printers and a collaborative
robot. The classrooms, labs
and equipment are not at all
usual for a community college,
perhaps not even for many four-
year universities. It needs to be
promoted!
Q: What was your experience
like as a nontraditional student?
Well, on a personal note,
despite my “senior status” I felt
embraced by the faculty and
students alike. My presence at
the STEM Tutoring Center opened
up another door for me. The
supervisor at that time, Patti Tyree,
introduced me to a new tutor, a
PhD physics graduate who had
just arrived from Oxford University
in England. I am now receiving
V I RG I N I AW E S T E R N . E D U / FO U N DAT I O N PAG E 3 5You can also read
