Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges

05/11/2026

Congrats Hampden-Sydney College Class of 2026!

05/11/2026

The VFIC Winter 2026 Newsletter is here! Dive into the latest stories, highlights, and achievements from across our member institutions.
https://bit.ly/VFICSpring2026Newsletter

Inside this issue:
-VFIC Launches Presidential Scholars Program: Investing in Virginia's Next Generation of Leaders

-Issac Plange, Bridgewater College Student Highlight: The Humility of Learning

-Bridgewater College Wins 2026 VFIC Applied Ethics Bowl: 2027 Applied Ethics Bowl to be Hosted by Hampton University, February 5

-Building Relationships, Serving Our Community: Brian Skinner and TowneBank

05/06/2026

Congratulations Bridgewater College Class of 2026 graduates!

05/06/2026

VFIC Chief Operating Officer, Mary-Beth Johnson, was awarded the prestigious Virginia Association of Fundraising Executives (VAFRE) Nina Abady Award last evening at the annual awards reception held at Feed More, Inc. Past VFIC President Matthew Shank was on hand to introduce Mary-Beth for this special recognition.

VFIC proudly congratulates Mary-Beth on this well-deserved lifetime achievement honor, recognizing nearly 30 years of outstanding work in fundraising and development. She will celebrate 22 years with the VFIC this year and we are grateful for her leadership and dedication.

The Nina Abady Award is presented to a fundraising professional who has demonstrated exceptional excellence in the field of development. This honor signifies that the recipient has earned the respect and admiration of colleagues throughout the Commonwealth for their professionalism, leadership, and commitment to ethical service.

05/01/2026

VFIC college presidents, students, and supporters gathered last evening on a beautiful spring night to celebrate the transformative impact of VFIC scholarships across the Richmond region. Guests were inspired by students Ranae Leiffer (Randolph-Macon College), Paxton Mills (University of Richmond), and Samirah Spates (Virginia Union University), who shared reflections on their college experiences and the vital role philanthropy plays in opening doors and shaping student success. We extend our thanks to VFIC Business Trustee John Wick and his wife, Zan, for graciously hosting us in their home.

04/22/2026

Last evening, VFIC college presidents, students, and supporters gathered in Charlottesville to celebrate the transformative impact of VFIC scholarships across the region. The event highlighted inspiring student stories, meaningful dialogue, and a shared commitment to strengthening independent higher education throughout Virginia.

Thank you to VFIC Business Trustee Teague Avey for graciously hosting the reception at Brown Advisory’s Charlottesville office. We were especially inspired by students Brendan Robinson (Bridgewater College), Max Horner (Hampden-Sydney College), and Izzy Workman (Hollins University), who shared perspectives on their college journeys and the meaningful role that philanthropic support can play in shaping student success.

03/30/2026

We’re pleased to congratulate Dr. Paul McClure, associate professor of sociology at the University of Lynchburg, on being named a 2026 recipient of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges Mednick Fellowship. The fellowship will support Dr. McClure’s travel to Denver this October, where he will present his research, “Prompt Sampling: New Approaches for Understanding Generative AI and Large Language Models in the Sociology of Religion,” at the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion conference. His work explores how different AI systems respond to religious questions and examines the assumptions embedded in these technologies—an important and timely contribution to scholarship at the intersection of AI, culture, and religion.

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Dr. Paul McClure was awarded a fellowship by the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges.

03/27/2026

Please join us in congratulating Bright Frimpong, assistant professor of business administration at Washington and Lee University, on being awarded the 2026 Mednick Memorial Fellowship from the VFIC.

The fellowship will support Professor Frimpong’s innovative research on AI washing—the practice of exaggerating or misrepresenting artificial intelligence capabilities—and its impact on crowdfunding success and backer trust. The award also enables him to present his findings at the Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS) this August.

We’re proud to see Professor Frimpong’s important work recognized in research that advances understanding at the intersection of technology, ethics, and entrepreneurship.

Read more:

Bright Frimpong, assistant professor of business administration at Washington and Lee University, was awarded the 2026 Mednick Memorial Fellowship from the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colle…

03/26/2026

The VFIC is pleased to welcome two new Business Trustees. Introducing:

Eric Ancarrow is a seasoned M&A professional with 22 years of experience at Ferguson Enterprises, a leading publicly traded building products distributor. Eric has spent the entirety of his time at Ferguson focused on M&A, supporting and overseeing significant revenue growth and vertical expansion through successful ex*****on of strategic acquisition priorities. He graduated from Randolph-Macon College where he majored in both Business/Economics and Accounting. He received his master’s in accounting (MACC) from William and Mary College.

Wayne Wilbanks is Executive Managing Director for Clearstead Advisory Solutions where he supports the strategic leadership and development of the firm’s advisory platform. He has been working in the investment management industry since 1990 and brings expertise in investment strategy, asset allocation, and cross-asset class portfolio design. Before joining Clearstead, he worked as Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Wilbanks Smith & Thomas Asset Management, LLC (“WST”), an SEC-registered investment adviser headquartered in Norfolk, VA. Wayne obtained his degree in Economics from Duke University, gained additional academic training through Georgetown University’s Program of Comparative Business at Oxford University in England, and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

03/12/2026

The VFIC welcomes Dr. Sally Selden, the 12th President of the University of Lynchburg! We look forward to working with you.