Download Three Reynolds Students Earn Prestigious Valley Proteins

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steve Vehorn
Assistant Director of Communications
(804) 523-5229
[email protected]
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Three Reynolds Students Earn Prestigious Valley Proteins Fellowships
Richmond, Va. (June 23, 2014) – The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education
has selected Reynolds Community College students Linda Jo Foreman, Jayson Christopher
Johnson, and Ryan Christopher Pledger as members of the fourth class of the prestigious
Valley Proteins Fellows scholarship program.
Linda Foreman returned to school after raising four children to pursue her dream of a college
education in forensic biology. She achieved a 4.0 GPA in both the summer 2013 and fall 2013
semesters, and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
Jayson Christopher Johnson, a father of three children, left a career in business to pursue an
education in Respiratory Therapy and entrepreneurship. He is passionate about helping other
people and looks forward to graduating, starting his own health care company and helping people
breathe better and live better lives.
Ryan Pledger, also an entrepreneur, began providing landscaping services to his neighbors at
the age of 9. The business grew over the years and is now known as Green Grass Landscaping
Services, LLC with gross annual revenue exceeding $250,000. Pledger graduated from
Goochland High School in 2013 with an advanced studies diploma and 29 college credits through
Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement. After completing an Associate in Science degree in
Business Administration at Reynolds, Pledger’s goal is to attend the McIntire School of Commerce
at the University of Virginia to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce with a
specialization in global commerce.
The Valley Proteins Fellows represent the best and most motivated second-year students at
Virginia’s Community Colleges who demonstrate both academic and leadership potential along
with an uncompromising commitment to excellence. Of the 400,000 people Virginia’s Community
Colleges serve across the commonwealth, only ten are selected for the Valley Proteins Fellows
Program.
The fellowship has an estimated value of $15,000 which includes full coverage of tuition and fees.
The fellows participate in a unique curriculum that includes leadership programs, cultural
opportunities and a community service project.
The fellows program is made possible through the generous donation of Valley Proteins, Inc., a
longtime supporter of the Virginia Community College mission. The Winchester-based company
has been in the rendering business for more than 60 years and currently operates 14 plants in 7
states.
“These three students are great examples of why we are so proud of our student body. They also
demonstrate how community college can meet the needs of students of all ages, whether coming
to us directly out of high school, returning to college after raising a family, or making a career
change. Congratulations to these three motivated and passionate individuals who earned this
most competitive scholarship,” said Gary Rhodes, president of Reynolds Community College.
About Virginia’s Community Colleges: Created more than 40 years ago, the Virginia Community College System
(VCCS) is comprised of 23 community colleges located on 40 campuses across the commonwealth. Together,
Virginia’s Community Colleges serve more than 400,000 students a year. For more information, please visit
myfuture.vccs.edu.
About the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education: Working hand in hand with Virginia’s 23
community colleges, the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education seeks to guarantee financial assistance
to all students who dream of attending college. The foundation is building an endowment that is already generating
interest to provide full scholarships to selected community college students. Donors to the fund are invited to endow a
single scholarship in their name and designate it to any of Virginia’s Community Colleges or regions. For more
information, please visit www.vccs.edu/Foundation.
Serving over 20,000 students annually, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College is the youngest and third largest of
23 community colleges in Virginia. The College operates three campuses serving residents in the City of Richmond
and the counties of Henrico, Hanover, Goochland, Powhatan and Louisa.