MECC Foundation Announces RAPHA Foundation Gift
Big Stone Gap – The Mountain Empire Community College Foundation is excited to announce a gift of $375,000 from the RAPHA Foundation of Norton.
The gift will be used to support scholarship development and to meet MECC’s $245,000 Title III Endowment Grant Challenge supporting student scholarships and strengthening the institution’s health science programming.
MECC Foundation Executive Director Dr. Amy Greear stated RAPHA’s support is valued and appreciated. MECC serves as the primary career training center in far Southwest Virginia, enrolling hundreds of students in Emergency Medical Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant, Licensed Practical Nursing, Registered Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, and additional Health Science training programs annually.
“The RAPHA Foundation has served as an incredible community partner, enabling MECC to provide scholarships to students and support growth in our health science programming. This is an amazing opportunity for Southwest Virginia, MECC, and our students, and we are grateful for the Foundation’s support,” said Dr. Greear.
“The Rapha Foundation Board understands the tremendous value that MECC brings to our region and we feel privileged to be able to support the college and its students.”
The RAPHA Foundation was formed in 2019 following the merger of Ballad Health and Norton Community Hospital. The Community Healthcare Foundation, which received its federal nonprofit status in 2001, became The Rapha Foundation, a registered nonprofit organization dedicated to “improving population health and access to education in Southwest Virginia.”
The MECC Foundation supports the mission of Mountain Empire Community College, which is to provide our region with accessible, quality higher education, workforce training, and community programs to ensure an educated population and globally competitive workforce. The MECC Foundation supports this mission primarily through scholarship development, student success initiatives, and training opportunities for instructors and staff.
For more information on the MECC Foundation, visit www.meccfoundation.org or call (276) 523-7466.
