Community Foundation for a greater Richmond Honored for its Generous Support of Brightpoint Community College
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Holly Walker
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CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – The Community Foundation for a greater Richmond received the Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy in honor of its work with Brightpoint Community College. Nominated by the Brightpoint Community College Foundation, the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond was honored at a recent luncheon ceremony in Richmond.
In its nomination, the Brightpoint Community College Foundation proudly recognized Ms. Sherrie Armstrong, president and CEO, and the Board and staff of the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond for their steadfast support of Brightpoint Community College. For more than 30 years, the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond has generously funded programs at Brightpoint and expanded access to education and training for members of the college’s community. Under Armstrong’s leadership, the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond works to “further develop a vibrant region in which all individuals and families can prosper,” an effort that directly aligns with Brightpoint’s mission to provide quality educational opportunities that inspire student success and community vitality.
“The partnership we share with the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond makes a real difference in the lives of our students,” said Dr. Bill Fiege, president of Brightpoint Community College. “The Community Foundation’s generosity and belief in education empower our community and open doors to brighter futures.”
The 20th Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy, hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE), recognizes leading philanthropists from each of Virginia’s 23 community colleges, as well as the statewide foundation. Recipients were nominated for their outstanding commitment to the growth and development of Virginia’s community colleges and their respective foundations.
Virginia Community College System Chancellor David Doré 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. That 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.
The Brightpoint Community College Foundation secures resources that provide scholarships for students; fund academic programs, student support services, capital projects, and renovations to modernize classrooms and labs; and stimulate innovation within the college faculty and staff. This work ensures the college continues its pledge of providing academic excellence to students while expanding the services it offers to meet the community’s workforce requirements. Since most of the college’s graduates live and work in the area, gifts to the Foundation are an investment in both students and the community.
Brightpoint Community College, one of the largest institutions in the Virginia Community College System, envisions a success story for every student. Brightpoint offers students a high-quality, high-value education, with more than 80 majors that provide pathways to careers in in-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served 12,686 students during the 2024-25 academic year. It also assisted 4,200 learners through Community College Workforce Alliance, the shared workforce division of Brightpoint and Reynolds community colleges.