Former Governor Gerald Baliles honored Earl Dellinger and 22 other outstanding benefactors at Virginia’s community colleges as recipients of the 2007 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy.
Governor Baliles saluted Dellinger and philanthropists from all over the Commonwealth, citing “their matchless passion for the mission of community colleges and their outstanding service in education on behalf of all Virginians.”
“To the extent that Virginians are hampered in pursuit of their education, we all lose,” Governor Baliles said, adding that community colleges, along with all of higher education, have had to increasingly rely on support from foundations and philanthropic leaders.
Virginia Community College Chancellor Glenn DuBois, in presenting the philanthropy awards, said, “These men and women have given so much to the schools that make up Virginia’s community college system. It’s an honor to recognize and thank them.”
Mary Lawson, executive director of the Southwest Virginia Community College Educational Foundation, echoed DuBois’ statement, “We (SwVCC) are very pleased that Earl’s generosity has been recognized in this way,”
Education has always been very important to Earl Dellinger. He learned this lesson early in life from his father, who once turned down a good job with a coal company because there was no school for his children where he would be working. With a drive to succeed and a shrewd mind for business, Earl worked his way up in the automobile industry to become the owner of one of the most successful car dealerships in southwest Virginia. This success led the Dellinger family; Earl and his late wife Dorothy, to help deserving students in Buchanan County get a college education.
Many other businesses have come and gone, but Modern Sales and Service, the business the Dellingers founded, has thrived through the years. It is currently the oldest Jeep dealership in the country and is now owned by the Dellinger’s niece and nephew, Ginger Robertson and Roger Powers. Earl was named as a recipient of the 2002 TIME Magazine Quality Dealer Award. Dorothy, who passed away in 2002, also played a vital role in the growth of the business.
Through the Dellinger’s success, many others have had the opportunity to go to college. The Earl and Dorothy Dellinger Scholarships at SwVCC are given to four students each year. “I believe everyone should get an education if they can,” said Earl. As a tribute to their commitment to education, the Learning Resource Center, to be built on the SwVCC campus, will be named the Earl and Dorothy Dellinger Learning Resource Center.
Earl and Dorothy spent 63 wonderful years building their lives and their business. Their family has created an educational legacy that will ensure that many of the region’s citizens can transform their lives through a college education.
The Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy is designed to recognize the vital role of community college supporters. Individuals eligible for this annual award include current and former foundation board members, community volunteers and benefactors. Each college foundation determines the criteria for the selection of the nominee. Above all, these individuals demonstrate a passion for the mission of community colleges—to ensure that deserving people receive the advantage of a college education. The inaugural Leadership in Philanthropy Awards were awarded last year.
Each philanthropy leader becomes the namesake for one of 23 Commonwealth Legacy Scholarships to be awarded to a student attending the community college in their region. Sallie Mae provided funds to sponsor those scholarships for 2007.
The honorees joined representatives and guests from each of the state’s community colleges for a luncheon at The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond. “These leaders know the secret to a better tomorrow,” said Dr. DuBois. “By their work with the VCCS, they’re improving their communities, the commonwealth and the nation.”