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2023 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy

Dr. Peter Mulkey

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. 
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