50th Anniversary Celebration in 2017
Southwest Virginia Community College celebrated 50 Years of service to the community in 2017. In honor of this milestone, several events were held throughout the year including an Alumni Homecoming in September of 2017 and a Time Capsule Dedication in May of 2017. The grand finale event was the 50 Year Anniversary Gala that was held on Saturday, October 21st. The gala was a fantastic evening of dinner, dancing, fellowship and celebration to kick-off the next 50 Years at SWCC. Guest speakers included Dr. Charles King (founding President), Dr. J. Mark Estepp (who retired in December 2017) and Valley Protein Fellow Scholarship recipient Madison Goodie.
SWCC Ends 50th Anniversary Year by Tripling Scholarship Goal
When the celebratory year began, a goal of $50,000 for the 50 Years Forward Scholarship was set in hopes of establishing an endowment that would provide scholarships to deserving students for the next 50 years. Almost immediately, Mrs. Priscilla McCall of Greensboro, NC made a pledge of $50,000 to be matched and by year’s end, the $50,000 goal had been tripled, with more than $150,000 raised!
“SWCC has been blessed with generous donors and matching gifts that have enabled us to triple our initial goal for the 50 Years. Forward Scholarship,” said Susan Lowe, executive director of the SWCC Educational Foundation. “I think this speaks to the kindness of the people in our communities and beyond who have always been so supportive and have a true appreciation for SWCC.”
SWCC welcomed Dr. Tommy Wright its third president, in January of 2018. “SWCC was built on a foundation of partnerships with community members and organizations,” said Wright. “We value partners like Mrs. Priscilla McCall and so many others in our area who help provide support so that deserving students can reach their academic and career goals.”
For more information about the 50 Years Forward Scholarship, or the SWCC Educational Foundation, please contact Susan Lowe at 276-964-7304 or susan.lowe@sw.edu.
THANK YOU to the Sponsors of our 50th Anniversary Gala. This wonderful event would not have been possible without their generous support.
Corporate Sponsors
- Southwest Virginia Community College
- The Stelio & Betty T. Corte Charitable Foundation
- B. F. Foundation
- Priscilla McCall
Gold Sponsors
- Clinch Valley Medical Center
- John & Patty Brenner
- James & Becky Dye
- Mark & Trish Estepp
- Jereial & Ramona Fletcher
- Eddie & Kathy Hannah
- Mike & Melanie Henry
- Randall Hillman
- Charles R. & Mary King
- Mary W. Lawson
- Tom & Dyan Lester
- Kenny & Susan Lowe
- Edith Street
- Robert “Bob” & Sally Sutherland
Silver Sponsors
- Old Dominion University
- Doug & Ginger Branton
- Randy & Lisa Haywood
- Lynn & Charlotte Keene
- Jesse & Alta Lewis
- Larry & Kathy Mitchell
- Michael & Donna Price
- Martha Rasnake
- John G. Cox & Cathy Smith-Cox
