ABINGDON, VA – Virginia Highlands Community College is proud to announce the renaming of its Learning Resource Center to the Bill Gatton Center, in recognition of a generous $2 million dollar grant award from The Bill Gatton Foundation.
This gift to the Virginia Highlands Community College Educational Foundation is already impacting learning spaces, programs, services, and technology to support the academic success of thousands of students for years to come. It represents a significant investment in student learning and academic excellence, directly aligned with Bill Gatton’s lifelong commitment to education, opportunity, and community impact.
“We are deeply honored to receive this generous support from The Bill Gatton Foundation,” said Dr. Adam Hutchison, VHCC President. “Renaming our Learning Resource Center is a fitting tribute to Mr. Gatton’s extraordinary legacy and his belief in the power of education to change lives.”
The newly named Bill Gatton Center already serves as a vital academic hub, offering tutoring, study spaces, technology access, classrooms, labs, and a wide array of student support services.
Bill Gatton, a successful businessman, philanthropist, and visionary leader, dedicated much of his life and resources to advancing education in the region. Through The Bill Gatton Foundation, his legacy continues to open doors for future generations of learners.
About Virginia Highlands Community College
Virginia Highlands Community College is one of the 23 comprehensive community colleges in the Virginia Community College System. VHCC has become a dynamic leader in Southwest Virginia with a primary goal of providing comprehensive and quality education and related services for residents throughout its region. We proudly serve the residents of Bristol Virginia, Washington County, and the Western Part of Smyth County. The College is committed to teaching, learning, and community building and serves more than 3000 students, offering more than 80 academic areas of study.
About The Bill Gatton Foundation
Based in Bristol, Tennessee, The Bill Gatton Foundation is dedicated to perpetuating the ideals and generous legacy of Bill Gatton by supporting organizations that foster meaningful educational opportunities, effective healthcare and medical treatments, and a thriving region of Kentucky, Upper East Tennessee, and Southwest Virginia with expanded access to social and economic success. Bill Gatton was a hard-working, self-reliant, loyal man of principle, integrity, and honesty. The Bill Gatton Foundation is honored to continue Mr. Gatton’s legacy by upholding and modeling these values through the bridges it builds.