January 13, 2017
Laurel Ridge is commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday with student performances, a guest speaker and the presentation of the Walking King’s Talk Award in the Corron Building on the Middletown Campus.
Longtime Frederick Douglass Elementary teacher Helen Davenport, now retired, will speak about dreams and goals. Davenport is the inspiring author of “The Journey from Dropout to Doctor,” which details her own life story. In addition to holding a doctorate of education, Davenport is a widow with five children, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She lives in Winchester. 
Laurel Ridge’s award-winning forensics team will perform quotes from Dr. King and the poem “Thirty-Nine Years Too Short – Too Long – Long Enough.”
The 14th annual Walking King’s Talk Award will be given to someone who is actively involved in improving human relations in his or her community, exemplifies Dr. King’s peaceful philosophy, advocates equal justice and opportunity for all and lives a life of service.
For more information about the celebration, email student activities specialist Sarah Pangle at [email protected], or call 540-868-7240.
Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With three locations — Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray-Page County — the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Laurel Ridge Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. Laurel Ridge shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age (except when age is a bona fide occupational qualification), status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment. Inquiries may be directed to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources, [email protected], 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645, 540-868-7226.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.