SVHEF History

SVHEF Origins

In 1994, the Halifax County Board of Supervisors and South Boston Town Council passed a resolution establishing the college Committee, charged with studying the feasibility of establishing a four-year college campus in Halifax County and South Boston in conjunction with several area colleges. Doing extensive research into the most effective options available to the community, the College Committee modified its initial vision in order to better meet the needs of its citizens. From the Committee, the Halifax Educational Foundation, Inc. was created.

Established in 1997, the Halifax Educational Foundation dedicated the non-profit organization to the goal of affordable and accessible educational opportunities for citizens of the Southern Region. In addition, to promote and enhance continuing educational opportunities for the citizens of Halifax County, VA and surrounding areas and to carry out other exclusively charitable, educational, and scientific purposes.

Mr. Chris Lumsden, CEO Halifax Regional Hospital Health System, steered the Foundation during the first five years, and then Mr. William E. Coleman, retired President and Chief Executive Officer Tri-County Community Action, guided the Board for the next two years, followed by Mr. W. W. Bennett, retired Attorney at Law. Mr. E. Wayne Conner, retired General Manager of Presto, presided from 2006 through 2008, Mr. J Aubrey Houghton retired Town Manager served 2009 and 2010, next Mr. Tom Raab, owner/operator of Electric Service Company, served as chairman.

History of the Consortium

Also, the Foundation immediately recognized the importance of involving the college of South Central Virginia currently serving community members. Thus, the South Central Virginia Consortium was established in 1997 as a well. The Consortium was composed of the Presidents of Longwood University, Southside Virginia Community College, and Danville Community College. In addition, the President and Vice President of the Halifax Education Foundation served on the Board of Directors.

The Consortium developed, coordinated, and promoted affordable degree and non-degree programs as well as workforce training opportunities for the region’s residents. The Consortium was dedicated to the collaborative efforts in order to expand educational opportunities for the region.

The Consortium ceased to exist after July 1, 2005, when the Center became a state educational institution and assumed responsibility for developing programs for the center, House Bill 2071.

Continuing Education Center

When the Continuing Education Center (CEC) first began in 1986, it operated from a small mobile trailer located on the campus of the Halifax County High School in South Boston, VA. Three employees coordinated the educational news of the local citizens with higher education institutions. Leaving that initial one room facility in 1989, the CEC rented the old Lowe’s building with 6,000 square feet of space. With the additional room, the educational services were stepped up and courses were offered on-site as well as off-site. Due to growth of educational needs, the space became inadequate to meet the demands for the CEC.

Fundraising Efforts and Renovation of Export Leaf Tobacco Warehouse

The Halifax Educational Foundation raised over $8.6 million for the renovation of the warehouse facility through a bond referendum and private gifts.

The Former Export Leaf Tobacco Warehouse and five acres of land, appraised at $1.7 million and located in downtown South Boston, were donated to the Foundation on December 12, 1997 by John R. Cannon and the family of the late Bob Harris. In 1997, the Town of South Boston contributed $250,000 and the Halifax County Board of Supervisors appropriated an additional $250,000 to the Foundation as seed money. The HEF initiated a successful capital campaign and raised $1.85 million locally from private citizens and businesses.

With over a 75 percent voter approval on the November 1998 ballot, citizens approved the proposed sale of up to $1.75 million in general obligation bonds. Additional funding for the project was obtained via donations or grants from local government, citizens, businesses, industry, $596,000 from the Community Development Block Grant, USDA Rural Development, Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission, Longwood University, Southside Virginia Community College, and Danville Community College. No state funds were used for this project.

Not only did the Foundation raise the money for construction, but also to furnish and equip the full facility with state of the art technology. Both SVCC and DCC each contributed $100,000 from their Tobacco Fund allotment for technology and equipment. Longwood University provided $147,000 for the installation of wiring and technology switches for the newly renovated tobacco warehouse. In addition, the Foundation received a grant award of $1.7 million from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission for equipment and furnishing needs of the facility. Additionally, Halifax County supported the Adult Literacy Program through an annual appropriation of $25,222. The United Way also provided funding of approximately $4,400.

In 2001, the Halifax Educational Foundation renovated the Export Leaf Tobacco Warehouse in downtown South Boston and created a 35,000 square foot state-of-the-art educational facility. At the ribbon cutting ceremony on Sunday August 19, 2001, the center changed to a new future and a new name, Southern Virginia Higher Education Center. Classes officially began in the facility on August 23, 2001.