Local Government, Civic Affairs and Education

Ed Hall and daughter Nicole Hall-Smith- VWCC photo

He didn’t graduate from college and came from humble roots, yet Ed Hall went on to launch his commercial real estate firm Hall Associates Inc. and then became an ardent supporter of Virginia Western Community College, including as a member of its Educational Foundation. Now Ed Hall and his family has pledged more than one million dollars in gifts to VWCC. Yesterday he was honored when the Business Science Building was renamed as the Hall Family Center for Business Science. That donation and previous large gifts are earmarked for Virginia Western’s Permanent Endowment Fund, the Career Center and other student programs.

Seniors helping seniors – that’s what the Director of Communication at Brandon Oaks called residents’ efforts to provide high school seniors on staff with scholarships. Some of the high school seniors on Brandon Oaks’ staff were awarded scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000 each, thanks to the interest of the seniors they serve every day.  WFIR’s Emma Thomas, with details:

Jess Silvia, program director of Lavender House, in front of the LLC.

A new living-learning community has opened on Tech’s campus. A Dean of the University says that Lavender House is a much needed addition to the campus’ host of LLC’s aimed at combining academics and the residential living experience. WFIR’s Emma Thomas with that story: