Dr. Peter Mulkey, CEO of Clinch Valley Health and a resident of Richlands, Virginia, has been honored with the 17th Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy.
The award was presented at a luncheon ceremony on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Richmond, Va. where more than two dozen individuals, families, and organizations were recognized for their commitment to the growth and development of Virginia’s community colleges.
Peter is an alumnus of Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) and has been a dedicated supporter of the college and its students for many years. Under his leadership at Clinch Valley Health, he has helped Southwest secure funding for several worthy programs, including funding the salary of an athletic trainer for the past three years.
Most recently, Clinch Valley Health committed funding to help launch a new diagnostic sonography program that will begin during the Fall 2023 term at the college.
“Peter is an avid supporter of Southwest and our entire region. We are grateful for his passion for our community and for working alongside Southwest to establish innovative programs and healthcare for our athletic teams,” said Dr. Tommy Wright, President at SWCC.
The keynote speaker at the ceremony was the new chancellor of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), Dr. David Doré.
“It is a privilege and an honor to be in the company of such an esteemed group of philanthropists,” Doré observed. “Were it not for your generosity, some of our students would have to put their hopes and dreams on hold, while others might have to abandon them altogether. Thanks to you, however, our students will be able to work in an environment that is relatively free of the kind of financial pressures that can paralyze or even derail their forward progress, and for that, we are extremely grateful.”
The annual event, hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE), honors leading philanthropists from each of Virginia’s 23 community colleges and the statewide foundation. Recipients are nominated for their outstanding commitment to the growth and development of Virginia’s community colleges and their respective foundations.
A scholarship will be available to SWCC students in Dr. Peter Mulkey’s name for the upcoming 2023-24 academic year at the college.
This year’s class of distinguished philanthropy leaders has collectively contributed $14 million dollars to Virginia’s Community Colleges.
Recipients of the 2023 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy:
| BLUE RIDGE | Carr Family Foundation/ Mitch and Iris Carr |
| BRIGHTPOINT | William “Bill” Van Arnam |
| CENTRAL VIRGINIA | Dr. Kathryn M. Pumphrey |
| DANVILLE | Leah Shields and Family |
| EASTERN SHORE | Philip E. and Carole Ratcliffe Foundation |
| GERMANNA | John “Jack” Rowley |
| LAUREL RIDGE | Steve and Reta Rodgers |
| MOUNTAIN EMPIRE | The Slemp Foundation |
| MOUNTAIN GATEWAY | Lumos Foundation |
| NEW RIVER | New River Valley Health Foundation |
| NORTHERN VIRGINIA | Kimmy Duong Foundation- Kimmy Duong & Long Nguyen |
| PATRICK & HENRY | ValleyStar Credit Union |
| PAUL D. CAMP | Obici Healthcare Foundation |
| PIEDMONT VIRGINIA | Bobbie and Bob Bruner |
| RAPPAHANNOCK | The Harding Family |
| REYNOLDS | Patricia and Andrew Gibb |
| SOUTHSIDE VIRGINIA | Sylvia and Bill Solari |
| SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA | Dr. Peter Mulkey |
| TIDEWATER | TowneBank |
| VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS | Virgil Wimmer |
| VIRGINIA PENINSULA | Dr. Jonathan Romero |
| VIRGINIA WESTERN | Deborah L. Petrine |
| WYTHEVILLE | Patricia McClane |
| VFCCE | Betty and Ben Davenport Jr. |