Here’s a roundup of education briefs from around Southwest and Southside:
New River Valley Health Foundation wins award
New River Valley Health Foundation has received the 17th annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. The foundation was nominated for the award by New River Community College.
The award was presented at a recent ceremony in Richmond. New VCCS Chancellor David Doré was the keynote speaker.
The annual event, hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education, honors leading philanthropists from each of Virginia’s 23 community colleges as well as the statewide foundation. Recipients are nominated for their outstanding commitment to the growth and development of Virginia’s community colleges and their respective foundations.
This year’s class of distinguished philanthropy leaders has collectively contributed $14 million dollars to Virginia’s Community Colleges.
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Virginia Tech’s Martha Larson honored with emerita status
Martha Larson, professor of radiology in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of professor emerita by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
The emerita title may be conferred on retired professors, associate professors, and administrative officers who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands in recognition of exemplary service to the university. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive a copy of the resolution and a certificate of appreciation.
A member of the Virginia Tech community since 1986, Larson made significant contributions to veterinary radiology through her work focusing on small animal ultrasonography. She was the principal or co-principal investigator on 33 grants researching all imaging modalities and characteristic changes related to specific diseases.
Larson was the author or co-author on more than 70 peer-reviewed journal articles and 24 book chapters.
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Lynchburg names teacher of the year
Albert Carter, cultural arts teacher at Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School for Innovation, has been named the 2023 Lynchburg City Schools Teacher of the Year.
Beginning as a music teacher in 1991, Carter first taught at Heritage, Perrymont, Sandusky and Sheffield elementary schools. In 1994, he transitioned to Dunbar Middle, where he teaches drama and chorus. He currently serves as Dunbar’s choral and theatre director, heading up multiple concerts and theatrical productions every year.