Community College Philanthropists Honored with Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy

Delta Star, Inc., of Lynchburg, Virginia, has received the 19^th Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. The company was nominated for the award by Central Virginia Community College.

Hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE) more than two dozen individuals, families, and organizations were honored with the Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. The awards were presented at a luncheon ceremony in Richmond on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. VCCS Chancellor Dr. David Doré served as the emcee, and Mr. Mark Hourigan, founder and CEO of Hourigan, delivered the keynote address.

“Every time our donors support a scholarship, fund a new program, or an emergency grant, they are not just giving back, they are lifting up,” said Hourigan. “They are invaluable partners whose generosity can and does make the difference between a student dropping out or staying the course and realizing their true potential.”

Doré echoed those sentiments, adding that a culture of care can have a profound impact on student performance. “When our students realize that someone cares enough to help remove the formidable obstacles standing in their way, it’s life-changing,” he said. “The things they thought impossible suddenly become doable, and their confidence soars as a result.”

This year’s class of distinguished philanthropy leaders has collectively contributed $24 million dollars to Virginia’s Community Colleges.

Delta Star, Inc. was selected for its transformative impact on CVCC’s Career & Technical Education (CTE) Academy. Under the leadership of President & CEO Jason Greene, Delta Star helped launch and sustain the program by aligning its vision and providing key funding. The company contributed matching funds for a GO Virginia grant to establish two vital coordinator positions—roles it continues to fund even after the grant ended. Between May 2023 and June 2024, Delta Star hired and trained over 155 new employees, many of whom benefited from CVCC’s workforce training.

“The phrase ‘time, talent, and treasure’ is often used to describe the three pillars of philanthropy,” said CVCC President Dr. John Capps. “Through the time he gives through his exceptional board service, the talent he shares through leadership and outreach, and the personal treasure he and his wife generously donate to CVCC’s Educational Foundation, Jason Greene exemplifies what it means to invest in community college students.”

Recipients of the Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy:

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