As the Southwest Virginia Community College recipient of the 2008 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy Alex E. Booth, Jr., a philanthropist with strong ties to the region was recently honored as an outstanding Virginia Community College benefactor.
“We (SVCC) are extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated friend to higher education,” said Dr. J. Mark Estepp, president of SVCC. “His support means so much to the college and to the region,” said Estepp.
The Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy is designed to recognize the vital role of community college support. Individuals eligible for this annual award include current and former foundation board members, community volunteers and benefactors. Above all, the individuals selected for this award demonstrate a passion for the mission of community colleges - to ensure that deserving people receive the advantage of a college education.
Each philanthropy leader becomes the namesake for one of the 23 Commonwealth Legacy Scholarships to be awarded to a student attending the community college in their region.
Earlier this year, the 60,000 square feet Booth Center, located in Grundy, Virginia, was named for him. He is a native of the coal area who has given much back to the region. He is the son of Roxanna Yoho Booth and Alex E. Booth, a coal operator, of Huntington, West Virginia.
Alex E. Booth, Jr., followed in his father’s footsteps as a coal operator. He was co-owner of the Southwest Virginia Coal Corporation. Booth also operated several mines in Buchanan County from the late 1940s to 1980. Although his roots run deep in this region, Booth traveled and garnered impressive academic credentials during his college years.
He was valedictorian of his class at Kentucky Military Institute. He is also a graduate of the University of Chicago, completing his PHB degree in one year while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. Booth believes in the power of higher education and what it can do to change the lives of those who are fortunate enough to have access to a community college or university.
He is a proven supporter of education. Booth is devoted to making educational opportunities available to others in this region and well beyond.
“It is my intention to make it possible for Buchanan County residents to gain access to whatever college education they desire. It is my hope that the administration and staff of the Booth Center will make it as easy as possible for residents to gain admission to its programs. It is my wish that the measure of success of the Center will be the highest possible percentage of admitted students who successfully complete their college education,” said Booth.
He is the founder and president of Booth Foundation, Inc. and the Alex and Roxanna Booth Foundation Inc., which are dedicated primarily to supporting nursing education in the Big Sandy Valley of Virginia, Kentucky, and West Virginia and two community colleges in Florida. He provided the funding to establish the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Southwest Virginia Community College (SVCC). Booth has founded three seminary colleges in Africa, as well as donating to a number of colleges in the U.S. He also generously gives his time by serving on a number of boards.