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TCC 50 Shining Stars

Here are some of the people who made TCC what it is today

After you’ve reviewed this list, use this form to nominate your TCC Shining Stars. 

  1. Gov. Mills Godwin: The “father” of Virginia’s community colleges
  2. Frederick W. Beazley: Donated the site of Frederick College to the Commonwealth of Virginia for a community college in Tidewater
  3. Thomas Moss: Speaker of the House of Delegates who helped secure support for the Norfolk Campus
  4. Jeanne and George Roper: Benefactors whose support made possible the renovation of the Loew’s Theater into the performing arts center that bears their names
  5. George B. Pass: Served 18 years as president (1973-1991), during which time TCC tripled in size, and is remembered for his civic contributions
  6. Mary Ruth Clowdsley: TCC faculty member who helped found the TCC Women’s Centers
  7. Alexsandria Manrov: TCC biology professor who died in 1997 at age 54. Her mother made a large bequest in honor of her daughter, out of which the TCC Women’s Center awards Manrov scholarships for women in STEM as well as the STEM Promise Program.
  8. LaVonne P. Ellis: Long-time faculty member who went on to serve as chair of the TCC College Board and as a member of the State Board for Community Colleges.
  9. Thomas Wilson: Appointed to the College Board in 2007 and becoming chair in 2012, this advocate of education and TCC died in 2013.
  10. Dr. Mason Andrews: As a member of the Norfolk City Council, championed the creation of the Norfolk Campus in the mid-1990s.
  11. Michael LaBouve: Founding provost of the Virginia Beach Campus who died unexpectedly in 1995.
  12. Frank Batten Sr.: In 2005, the former chairman of Landmark Communications gave $1 million to support the creation of the Batten Faculty Development Centers and the Batten Fellows Program.
  1. Pat and Doug Perry: The Perrys support TCC’s Culinary Arts program and are the lead donors for the new visual and culinary arts center in Norfolk’s NEON District.
  2. The Rev. Joseph Green, Norfolk vice mayor: Namesake of the Green District Administration Building was instrumental in the development of the Norfolk Campus
  3. Judge Richard S. Bray: CEO of the Beazley Foundation, which supports First College on the Portsmouth Campus and provided the college’s largest-ever gift to create the Beazley School of Nursing.
  4. Jim Spore: As Virginia Beach city manager, worked closely with TCC on expansion of Virginia Beach Campus and Joint-Use Library. He now serves on the TCC Real Estate Foundation Board.
  5. Dorcas Helfant-Browning: Realtor is a long-time TCC advocate through her work on the Real Estate Foundation Board
  6. Shawn Avery: President and CEO of Opportunity Inc. partners with TCC on many workforce development initiatives
  7. Steve and BJ Ballard: Their gift allowed the Virginia Beach Child Development Center to be renovated and expanded and financial assistance for child care to be made available to TCC students.
  8. Frank Batten Jr.: As head of the Landmark Foundation, was an early investor in the TCC Women’s Center STEM Promise Program
  9. Mike Leonard: CEO of H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments advises TCC’s Funeral Service program and provides generous support
  10. Robert Nusbaum/Linda Labstain: The Nusbaum/Labstain fund provides emergency support for TCC students
  11. Lee B. Armistead: Long-serving member of the College Board and Real Estate Foundation Board was nominated for an exemplary service award by the State Board for Community Colleges.
  1. John Cosgrove: Virginia senator. Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering Technology and Certificate in Electrical Electronics, 1984
  2. Jay Pharoah: Actor and comedian. Associate of Arts in 2008 and Associate of Science in 2010
  3. Robert Mann: Forensic anthropologist. Associate of Applied Science in Education, 1978
  4. Elwin Hines: Award-winning truck driver. Career Studies Certificate in Truck Driving, 2007
  5. John Uhrin: Virginia Beach City Council. Associate of Science in Business Administration, 1988
  6. Michaela Sigmon: Miss Virginia 2016. Completed course work in Social Sciences at the Chesapeake Campus and transferred to Old Dominion University in 2016
  7. Caroline Taylor: Founder of Taylor Made Diagnostics. Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, 1991
  8. Bria Kelly: Singer on “The Voice.” Completed course work at Visual Arts Center and transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University in 2015
  9. Carol Curtis: Founder and president of Noah Enterprises Inc. Associate of Applied Science in Civil Engineering Technology, 1993
  10. Terrie Suit: CEO of Virginia Realtors, former state delegate, Virginia Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security. Associate of Science in General Studies, 2003
  11. Sean Brickell: Executive Vice President of Hampton Roads Automobile Dealers. Associate of Science in Education, 1973
  12. Gerry Ortiz: First and longest-serving president of the TCC Alumni Association. Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts, 2004.
  13. Kenita Jackson: Surgical assistant at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital. Associate of Science in Social Sciences, 2007
  14. Nicholas Clark: Managing partner, The Butcher’s Son in Chesapeake. Completed Culinary Arts course work
  15. Harry Minium: Former Virginian-Pilot sportswriter. Associate of Science, 1973
  16. Cindy Free: Physical therapy assistant at Atlantic Orthopedic Specialists. Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant, 1986
  17. Tracy Keller: CEO, Girl Scout Council of the Colonial Coast. Associate of Science degrees in General Studies, Social Sciences and Business Administration, 2001
  1. Anne Iott, founder of TCC’s visual arts program and founding director of the Visual Arts Center
  2. Aubrey Hartman: Joined TCC a year after its founding, taught physics and, with students, built the observatory on the Frederick Campus from recycled ship components
  3. James P. O’Brien: Recipient in 2007 of the first Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence, prolific researcher and scholar taught psychology at TCC
  4. Mary Pat Liggio: Founding coordinator of the TCC Women’s Center, YWCA Woman of Distinction in 1995
  5. James Perkinson Jr.: Had a hand in the development of many programs, including automotive, maritime technologies, mechatronics and interior design
  6. Ann Ambrose: From assistant professor of business to Dean of Business, Public Services, and Technologies at the Portsmouth Campus until her retirement in 2016. Established a scholarship.
  7. Terry Jones: Founding provost of the new Portsmouth Campus and, in “retirement,” leader in faculty professional development
  8. Ed Jacob: Longtime theater professor and founder of Shakespeare in the Grove
  9. Carole Whitener: Former “Miss Carole” of “Romper Room” laid the foundation for TCC’s Early Childhood Education program
  10. Marilyn Peacock: Worked tirelessly to improve mathematics instruction at TCC