February 4, 2022
Rotz Pharmacy is once again teaming up with Laurel Ridge for the good of the community. Jason Rotz and Corey Boxwell, co-owners of the Winchester independent pharmacy, recently presented a $25,000 check to the Laurel Ridge Educational Foundation. The donation will be used to create an endowed scholarship that students will be able to start applying for this winter.
“We are excited to work with Jason and Corey on this impactful gift,” said foundation development officer Andy Gyurisin. “Rotz Pharmacy has always believed in the health and education of the local community. This donation will allow our students to pursue their dreams, careers, and future endeavors.”
With vaccinations against Covid-19 on the horizon last winter, Rotz reached out to the college about offering Moderna vaccines on the Middletown Campus. In late winter and early spring, more than 5,000 shots were given in a series of clinics. Besides protecting the public health, the clinics provided valuable hands-on experience for our nursing students.
The success of that partnership and their prior experience at Laurel Ridge were instrumental in motivating Rotz and Boxwell to make their generous gift. Both men attended Laurel Ridge early in their academic careers before ultimately graduating from Shenandoah University.
“Our involvement with Laurel Ridge has been exceptional, first as students and more recently as partners to provide our community with life-saving vaccines,” said Boxwell. “We hope this gift will make it easier for local students who have decided to pursue a career in healthcare.”
Rotz’s father, John, began the pharmacy more than 45 years ago when he bought what was then Barry’s Drug Store at 23 W. Boscawen St., in 1976, shortly after graduating from the Medical College of Virginia’s School of Pharmacy. He would later change the name to Medical Circle Pharmacy, and finally Rotz Pharmacy. The current pharmacy, located at 1338 Amherst St., was built in 2004. Jason Rotz and Bowell bought the pharmacy from John Rotz in 2017.
“When I began talking to Laurel Ridge officials about partnering on the vaccine clinics, I was impressed by the can-do attitude they had,” Rotz said. “It just reminded me of our pharmacy and our emphasis on customer service. I feel like Laurel Ridge and Rotz Pharmacy are sometimes overshadowed by larger entities, but are truly hidden gems here in the Northern Shenandoah Valley, and we both do so much to improve the lives of those living here.”
For more information about the Laurel Ridge Foundation’s scholarship program, please contact Laurel Ridge Foundation Executive Director Liv Heggoy at 540-868-4091, or [email protected]. The Laurel Ridge Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To make a gift to support scholarships, please visit laurelridge.edu/donate.
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.