Diane and William Elliot and Davis H. Elliot Company, Inc. of Roanoke, Va., have received the 20th Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. They were nominated by Virginia Western Community College.
Hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE), the 20th Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy Luncheon brings together over 200 guests to recognize outstanding philanthropic contributions to Virginia’s Community Colleges.
In his welcoming remarks, Chancellor David Doré saluted and thanked the donors for their unwavering commitment to students whose potential might otherwise go unrealized. “The individuals and organizations we honor in this room represent an extraordinary $27 million in lifetime giving to Virginia’s community colleges,” he said.
The sentiment was echoed by Secretary of Education Jeffery Smith, who underscored the importance of philanthropy and its ability to remove barriers that could impede or even block the way forward for students short on resources. “Every Virginian deserves a pathway to economic opportunity,” he said.
In addition to Secretary Smith, distinguished guests in attendance included State Board members as well as members of the VFCCE Board of Directors. Author, philanthropist and educator Brent L. Kendrick, Ph.D., whose career reflects a lifelong commitment to teaching and community college education, delivered the keynote address.
2026 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy Recipients
| College | Recipient |
| Blue Ridge Community College | Dr. James R. Perkins |
| Brightpoint Community College | Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond |
| Central Virginia Community College | Framatome, Inc. |
| Danville Community College | John A. and Iris P. Bostian Revocable Trust |
| Eastern Shore Community College | Peter Bale and Sentinel Robotic Solutions |
| Germanna Community College | The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Margaret and Foss Smith |
| Mountain Empire Community College | Dr. Terrance Suarez |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Mildred Miller McCabe |
| New River Community College | Dr. H. Randall Edwards and Dr. Florine Graham |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Dr. Bonnie Lefbom and Mr. William Lefbom |
| Patrick & Henry Community College | National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship |
| Paul D. Camp Community College | Obici Healthcare Foundation |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | UVA Community Credit Union |
| Rappahannock Community College | Carolyn and David Scarbrough |
| Reynolds Community College | Executive Women International – Richmond Chapter |
| Southside Virginia Community College | Jessie Ruff & The Ruff Family |
| Southwest Virginia Community College | Charlotte and Lynn Keene |
| Tidewater Community College | Beazley Foundation, Inc. |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Dr. John Lentz, DDS |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | City of Newport News and Newport News Development Authority |
| Virginia Western Community College | Diane and William Elliot and Davis H. Elliot Company, Inc. |
| Wytheville Community College | Rebecca and Stephen Dorshorst |
| VFCCE | Dr. Linda Daniel and Mr. Joe Daniel |
