The Ellett Family of Roanoke has received the 18th Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. They were nominated for the award by Virginia Western Community College.
Hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE), 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.”
This year’s class of distinguished philanthropy leaders has collectively contributed $17 million to Virginia’s Community Colleges.
Virginia Western President Dr. Robert H. Sandel praised the Ellett Family — Mr. Frank T. and Mrs. Lucy R. Ellett; Mr. Frank R. (Russ) and Mrs. Heather Ellett — for dedicating generations of service to the community, higher education and Virginia Western. “They have been a part of the College since its inception,” Sandel said. “Their commitment over generations to the welfare of our students and our Commonwealth has been exemplary.”
Lucy’s grandfather and Russ’ great-grandfather was Col. J. Sinclair Brown, Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates in the 1930s and a stalwart advocate for education and fiscal growth. The College’s Brown Library is named for him. Lucy’s father, William S. Russell, was the first Chair of Virginia Western’s inaugural Local Advisory Board (1966-71). Today, Russ, President of Excel Truck Group, serves as the current Vice Chair of Virginia Western’s Educational Foundation Board of Directors.
Russ and Heather have significantly supported both Virginia Western’s Community College Access Program and the Virginia Western Forward Permanent Endowment Fund (unrestricted permanent endowment). The Elletts were additionally recognized by the Virginia Western Educational Foundation, receiving the annual Community Impact Award at a ceremony April 24, 2024.
Asked about his support of the College, Russ Ellett said, “I feel it is so important to help students gain life-changing skills so they can provide for their families and build a good life. If you care about the Roanoke Valley and you care about people, supporting Virginia Western makes sense.”
Recipients of the 2024 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy:
| Blue Ridge | Diane C. Davis and the late Richard D. “Rick” Davis |
| Brightpoint | Dr. William W. Campbell |
| Central Virginia | Dr. Muriel B. Mickles |
| Danville | Stephen L. Worley |
| Eastern Shore | Beth & Charlie Walker |
| Germanna | Kevin Dillard |
| Laurel Ridge | Rotary Club of Warrenton |
| Mountain Empire | The Anne and Gene Worrell Foundation |
| Mountain Gateway | Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation |
| New River | Gary Hancock |
| Northern Virginia | Anne & Steve Altizer/Compu Dynamics |
| Patrick & Henry | Carter Bank & Trust |
| Paul D. Camp | The Blocker Foundation |
| Piedmont Virginia | Bank of America Charlottesville Market |
| Rappahannock | The Giving Circle of the Catherine Courtney Nursing Professorship Endowment |
| Reynolds | Altria |
| Southside Virginia | Lowe’s Foundation |
| Southwest Virginia | Catherine Corte Payne & Family |
| Tidewater | Audrey D. Settle |
| Virginia Highlands | Tony Miller |
| Virginia Peninsula | The Blocker Foundation |
| Virginia Western | The Ellett Family: Lucy R. & Frank T. Ellett; Heather & Frank R. “Russ” Ellett |
| Wytheville | The Estate of Janie Hale Gentry |
| VFCCE | VA529 College Savings Plan |
