January 17, 2017
Laurel Ridge’s Fauquier Campus celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day with midday speeches, and an early evening ceremony with a choir and guest speaker.
A student speech contest based on the theme of “I Have a Dream” was held in the Rose Loeb Student Center at 12:30 p.m. The winner, Ava Saldana, who serves as both a student ambassador and as secretary of the Student Government Association, spoke of her dream to make her mother proud of her.
Also in the student center, but starting at 5:30 p.m., the Martin Luther King Jr. Choir performed under the direction of the Rev. Lemuel Montgomery.
Award-winning Manassas City Schools teacher, author and social-justice commentator Rodney Jordan was the evening’s guest speaker. His presentation was entitled, “A Call to Come Together: You are the Dream.”
Mr. Jordan talked about criminal justice, educational reform and self-improvement. He stressed the importance of being caring to others every day, not just one day out of the year.
“It was an inspiring celebration of voices,” Campus Dean Caroline Wood said of the commemoration. “A beautiful reminder to continue our commitment to Dr. King’s legacy of equality and inclusion. We were honored to host the event here at Laurel Ridge.”
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.