Michael D. Chandler Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Big Stone Gap — The Mountain Empire Community College Foundation and the family of Officer Michael D. Chandler are honored to announce the Officer Michael D. Chandler Memorial Endowed Scholarship, created to support local students pursuing careers in law enforcement.

This scholarship was started by Michael’s wife, Natasha Chandler, to keep his legacy of service alive in the community he loved and protected. Michael served the Town of Big Stone Gap both as a firefighter and later as a police officer, dedicating his life to helping others.

“Michael cared about this community, he cared about the people in it, and he believed in helping others build a better future. Creating this scholarship felt like the right way to honor that,” said Natasha Chandler

Over the coming months, the community will see various fundraisers and local events designed to help build the scholarship fund.

This scholarship is intended to support the next generatio

n of law enforcement/corrections who will serve Southwest Virginia with the same integrity and heart that Michael was known for. Each recipient will carry a piece of Michael’s legacy: a legacy built on bravery, and a true desire to make his community safer and stronger. 

This scholarship is a living memorial. It ensures that Michael’s name, his values, and his impact will carry on through generations of law enforcement officers who choose to protect and serve this community. Each future recipient will step into the profession with a piece of Michael’s legacy beside them.

“For me, this scholarship is deeply personal,” added Natasha. "It is a way to continue giving back to the same community that has stood by me and my family through unthinkable loss. It is a way to support the next wave of first responders who will stand on the front lines just as Michael once did. It is a way to ensure his legacy never fades.”

The Officer Michael D. Chandler Memorial Endowed Scholarship will remain a permanent fund at Mountain Empire Community College, ensuring that Michael’s name and his impact live on for generations.

For additional information or to donate to the Michael D. Chandler Memorial Endowed Scholarship, please contact Mountain Empire Community College Foundation at 276-523-7466, or give directly online at https://meccfoundation.org/give.