August 23, 2012
Greene County Resident Receives High Honor
Charlottesville, VA - A resident of Greene County who played a leading role in creating a Piedmont Virginia Community College center in his home county has received the College's highest nonacademic honor.
Kenneth W. Lawson, president of the PVCC Educational Foundation Board of Directors and director of special projects for Fried Companies Inc., was awarded the PVCC Medallion during an open house at the PVCC Eugene Giuseppe Center earlier this month.
The PVCC Medallion is awarded by the PVCC Board to persons who, through special acts or sustained service, have made extraordinary contributions to PVCC. It is awarded rarely; Lawson is the 15th medallion recipient in the College's 40-year history. The most recent recipient was former University of Virginia President John T. Casteen III.
Lawson is completing his second year as president of the PVCC Educational Foundation Board of Directors. Formerly the chair of the Greene County Board of Supervisors, his knowledge and experience were key factors as the College and Greene officials came to terms on the lease for the center - $1 a year for 25 years. Lawson led the fundraising campaign that raised more than $900,000 for the center including the lead gift from Ethyle Cole Giuseppe, and was a volunteer facilities manager as the center was created in the upper floor of the Greene County library in Stanardsville.
In presenting the award, PVCC Board Chair Laila Bare noted that Lawson's extraordinary volunteer service is an expression of "his belief in the value of education and the need to extend educational opportunities to his fellow Greene County citizens."
Attending the open house were Lawson's parents, Bernie and Bernice Lawson, and his wife, Kim. Lawson credits his wife for enabling his philanthropic work.
