NRCC News

Community College Philanthropists Honored with 2024 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy

May 01 2024

Gary Hancock of Pulaski recently received the 18^th Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. He was nominated for the award by New River Community College.

Hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCEE), more than two dozen individuals, families, and organizations have earned the 2024 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. The awards were presented at a luncheon ceremony in Richmond on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. VCCS Chancellor Dr. David Doré served as emcee, and The Honorable Maurice Jones was featured as the keynote speaker.

“Virginia’s growth, prosperity, and well-being depend on the success of our community college system and the success of our students,” said Jones. “From childcare and housing assistance to reducing food insecurity, we must care and invest in the whole student for students and the Commonwealth to be successful.”

Hancock has been a strong supporter of New River Community College and the NRCC Educational Foundation for decades. His comprehensive and consistent support has come not only in terms of generous giving, but also in important leadership roles.

He is past president and current co-chair of the NRCC Foundation Board of Directors and has served on that board for a number of terms. He also served on, and chaired, the State Board for Community Colleges. In addition to serving the local community in ways too numerous to enumerate, both he and the law firm for which he is senior partner, Gilmer, Sadler, Ingram, Sutherland & Hutton, have been generous donors to the Foundation’s scholarship program.

“Over the course of its more than 50-year history, New River Community College has never had a more faithful friend and supporter than Gary Hancock. His commitment to making college accessible to New River Valley residents has been evidenced time and time again through both philanthropy and leadership. New River Community College has been extremely fortunate to call Gary Hancock ‘one of our own’,” said Angie Covey, Executive Director of the NRCC Educational Foundation.

This year’s class of distinguished philanthropy leaders has collectively contributed $17 million dollars to Virginia’s Community Colleges.

About the NRCC Educational Foundation: Established in 1980, the NRCC Educational Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that secures voluntary support and manages funds solely for the benefit of New River Community College. Members of the Foundation Board of Directors represent the counties of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski, and the city of Radford. These community leaders volunteer their expertise and service on behalf of the college and community. The Foundation assists New River Community College in a variety of ways, including the endowment and distribution of scholarship funds, the purchase of equipment and furnishings, and the financial support of academic and community enrichment programs. For more information, call (540) 674-3618, email the foundation at foundation@nr.edu, or visit www.nr.edu/foundation.

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 approximately 230,000 students each year. For more information, please visit www.vccs.edu.

 About the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education:  As the supporting arm of Virginia’s 23 community colleges, the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE) broadens access to educational opportunities for all Virginians, while ensuring the long-term success of the Commonwealth and the needs of its workforce. To ensure access to high quality, affordable degrees and certifications, the Foundation’s statewide leadership raises funds and resources in order to supplement and support the activities of both individual students and community colleges. For more information on VFCCE and its mission, and to provide your support, visit www.vfcce.org.

PHOTO (L to R): NRCC Educational Foundation Executive Director Angie Covey, VCCS Chancellor Dr. David Doré, Gary Hancock, Matthew Hancock, NRCC President Dr. Pat Huber, Peter Huber