June 12, 2026
Laurel Ridge Community College has been notified of the passing of our second president, Dr. Marilyn C. Beck. Dr. Beck died on May 7, at her beloved home, “The Barn,” in Andalusia, Alabama. She was 86.
While founding President Dr. William McCoy is credited with establishing the college, Dr. Beck’s tenure, from 1988 to 2003, marked a period of remarkable growth and transformation. Under her leadership, the college evolved into a comprehensive community college, expanding beyond a traditional liberal arts curriculum to include high-demand, career and vocational programs that served the needs of more students and the region.
Dr. Beck was instrumental in broadening access to higher education across the service area. Most notably, she oversaw the development and opening of the Fauquier Campus in 1989, and later the construction of Wolk Hall. Her tenure also included the gift of 20 acres of property in Middletown from the estate of Garland Snapp, which now holds the Student Union Building, as well as the establishment of the Warren French Telecommunications Center during the rise of distance learning and the creation of a learning lab in the Paul Wolk Library on the Middletown Campus.
A skilled fundraiser and grant writer, Dr. Beck significantly strengthened the college’s financial footing. She not only secured funding, but also mentored her team in grant writing, resulting in Laurel Ridge receiving at least $35 million in state and federal grants during her presidency. These funds supported curriculum enhancement, faculty development, student success initiatives, endowment growth, facilities, and institutional effectiveness. She also led the effort to secure a $500,000 federal Title III endowment grant, successfully raising the required $250,000 in matching funds alongside Foundation Board members.
Dr. Beck built and engaged a highly effective Educational Foundation Board, with whom she helped raise millions of dollars for scholarships, capital improvements, and the college endowment. During her leadership, the foundation supported numerous successful events, including the Hart Gala, Dollars for Scholars gala, truck parties, and the Shrimp Feast. Funds raised also supported the college’s first architectural master plan and led to the launch of its first major gift campaign in 1993, which helped fund scholarships and the community cultural center in Middletown – now known as the Corron Community Development Center.
Her commitment to the arts enriched campus life in meaningful ways. Through grants and partnerships, including one with the Corcoran Art Gallery in Washington, D.C., students gained increased exposure to the fine and performing arts. Highlights included a Carnegie Hall grand piano, a year-long artist-in-residence program, and use of the library atrium as a community arts gallery.
Colleagues remember Dr. Beck’s attention to detail and pride in maintaining beautiful campuses, including securing grants for landscaping improvements, such as trees and shrubs. They also fondly recall her personal touch – sharing her homemade pecan tarts with legislators, colleagues, and community members. It is estimated that she baked and gave away more than 3,000 tarts during her time as president.
After leaving Virginia in 2003, Dr. Beck returned home to Alabama, where she went on to serve as the fourth president of Calhoun Community College in Decatur. Under her leadership, Calhoun grew to become the largest community college in the state, serving more than 12,000 students by 2010.
For more than 50 years, Dr. Beck devoted her life to education, inspiring countless students, faculty, and staff to believe in themselves and embrace the joy of learning and teaching. Her career was defined by her deep commitment to students, her passion for excellence, and her ability to bring people together in service of a shared vision. Dr. Beck will be remembered for her extraordinary leadership, her generosity of spirit, and the lasting impact she made on Laurel Ridge Community College and the broader higher education community.
We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
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.