FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MIDKIFF RECEIVES CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR PHILANTHROPY AT DCC

Clyde Midkiff, left, is shown with Dr. Glenn DuBois, Chancellor of Virginia's Community Colleges.

DANVILLE, VA, May 2, 2007 – For his long-term commitment to Danville Community College, Clyde B.

 Midkiff of Gretna was recently honored with the 2007 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. Virginia Community College Chancellor Glenn DuBois presented him the award in Richmond as former Governor Gerald Baliles saluted each recipient from Virginia’s community colleges.

“These men and women have given so much to the schools that make up Virginia’s community college system,” Dr. DuBois says of the honorees. “It’s an honor to recognize and thank them.”

In addition to the award, Midkiff became the namesake for Danville Community College’s Commonwealth Legacy Scholarships to be awarded to a student attending DCC in the fall.

“Clyde (Midkiff) is a true Virginia gentleman. We are truly honored to have him represent Danville Community College,” says Buddy Rawley, Director of Development.

 Rawley notes that Midkiff has been a member of the Danville Community College Educational Foundation Board since 1984. He has served as President of the foundation board for two terms and during his tenure, assets increased by over $200,000.       

“His dedication to Danville Community College is evident in his years of service, his generous financial support, and the invaluable goodwill that he spreads throughout the community,” Rawley explains.

In addition to serving on the foundation board, Midkiff was a long-time member of the DCC Board, appointed on July 1, 1987, and serving two four-year terms. Midkiff and his wife, Joyce, have demonstrated their concern for the students of DCC by providing the Joyce and Clyde Midkiff Endowed Scholarship. Midkiff also recognized the need for continuous faculty and staff development opportunities and in 1991 and he encouraged the foundation to provide an endowment for that purpose.

Active in the community, Midkiff, a retired executive of Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative, was selected Pittsylvania County’s Citizen of the Year in 1988, and Gretna’s Citizen of the Year in 1989. He also has extensive service with the Gretna Lions Club of which he is a charter member and served as its president for more than 25 years. He is a former Deputy District Governor for District 24B Lions of Virginia; has been involved with the Danville/Pittsylvania County United Way, serving on its board of directors; and is a former member of the Executive Committee. Midkiff is also an active member of Greenpond Baptist Church, where he has served as Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent.

The Leadership in Philanthropy awards were distributed to 23 outstanding benefactors at Virginia’s community colleges. The inaugural award was presented in 2006 and is designed to recognize the vital role of community college supporters.

“These leaders know the secret to a better tomorrow,” says DuBois. “By their work with the VCCS, they’re improving their communities, the commonwealth and the nation.”