A desire to share the gift of education with others led Donald “Foss” and Margaret Smith to the Laurel Ridge Educational Foundation. They have since become donors and volunteers with the foundation.
The Smiths, who moved to the Front Royal area in 2019, learned about the college through a neighbor, who is a high school career coach. Foss then began participating in the college’s annual 5K, and later volunteering at the event.
In addition to participating in numerous college and foundation events, the couple have become generous donors, contributing to various funds, including those supporting scholarships, skilled trades programs and dual enrollment.
Foss’s mother was a high school teacher and his father a chemistry professor, and they instilled in him the importance of education. Margaret’s father was a college professor after he left his career with the U.S. Army.
She said growing up, there was never a question about whether or not she would attend college. Margaret and Foss took that same attitude with their three children, and they were fortunate to have set aside money to cover tuition.
“The cost of college has only gone up since then,” said Margaret. “It just seemed important to us to help kids with education whatever way we can.”
“I like making a difference in students’ lives now, particularly those where we can remove a barrier so they can advance their education,” said Foss, who worked in the chemical industry and for a time was a chemistry professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
The couple especially finds the dual-enrollment program appealing and are happy to make it more accessible to more students.
“Dual enrollment is an excellent option for students to get college credit while still in high school at really a minimal price,” Foss said. “The assistance fund addresses any barriers that students have in terms of the money they have to contribute to participate in the program. I’m very supportive of eliminating barriers. Dual enrollment is an excellent way to get a year’s worth of college while you’re still in high school.”
“A year or two,” added Margaret.
In recent years, nearly three dozen Warren County high schoolers have received help in taking dual-enrollment classes, thanks to the Smiths’ generosity.
“Thirty-four high school students with financial need have received a Warren County Dual Enrollment Scholarship over the past three years,” said Liv Heggoy, executive director of the Laurel Ridge Foundation. “The students earned college credit for numerous classes in English, History, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. By completing the courses in high school, the students will save a lot of money by not having to take the same class again at Laurel Ridge or another university, where the tuition would be much higher. Foss and Margaret’s donation has created a tremendous ripple effect.”
This year, more than 150 high school students earned their associate degree prior to their high school diploma thanks to dual enrollment offered through Laurel Ridge. Nearly 300 – 296 – high school students earned either their degree or a uniform certificate of general studies – the equivalent of one year of college credits – in the Class of 2025.
Learn how you can support scholarship opportunities and programs for students by visiting laurelridge.edu/foundation.
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.