FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS:
David Slipher
Director of Communications and External Relations
L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
804-828-1614
slipherd@vcu.edu
Pamela Harris Cox
Executive Assistant to Distinguished Faculty
L. Douglas Wilder, 66th Governor of Virginia
Senior Special Projects and Communications Manager
L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
804-937-7936
coxp3@vcu.edu
The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University has named six honorees who will be recognized at the 17th Excellence in Virginia Government Awards. The awards, a signature program of the Wilder School, recognize individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to the practice of government and the betterment of Virginians.
Recipients will be honored at a luncheon on Tuesday, April 8, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Omni Richmond Hotel, 100 S. 12th St., in Richmond. A 30-minute television program about this year’s recipients will air on WTVR-CBS6 in Richmond on April 17 at 7:30 p.m.
View additional information about the 2025 honorees, luncheon registration, and sponsorship and scholarship support
This year’s honorees are:
Lifetime Achievement Award
William Ferguson Reid, M.D., is celebrated for his groundbreaking political career as the first African American elected to the Virginia General Assembly since Reconstruction.
A distinguished physician, politician and civil rights activist, Reid served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, attached to the 1st Marine Division. After his service, Reid returned to Richmond, where his political activism took shape. In 1955, he co-founded the Richmond Crusade for Voters, an organization dedicated to registering and mobilizing Black voters during the era of Massive Resistance – a strategy employed by Southern politicians and white segregationists to oppose school desegregation and other civil rights advancements.
The Crusade’s activism played a pivotal role in securing an African American majority on Richmond's City Council, leading to the election of Henry L. Marsh as the city's first African American mayor in 1977. The Crusade remains a powerful political force in Virginia’s capital to this day.
In 1968, Reid made history with his election to the Virginia House of Delegates, representing Richmond and parts of Henrico County. He went on to win re-election twice, further cementing his legacy as a trailblazer for political representation.
Born and raised in Richmond in 1925, Reid will celebrate his 100th birthday in March 2025, marking a century of impact and leadership in the fight for civil rights and democracy.
About the award: The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual whose career represents the highest values of public service and citizenship and who has made a substantial contribution to the good of the commonwealth. The recipient must be an individual whose personal or professional contributions span a minimum of 20 years and be a Virginia resident.
Community Enhancement Award
Campagna Center is recognized for its leadership in providing educational and social support programs for children and families, guiding them from birth through adulthood.
Since its founding in 1945, the organization has provided dedicated service to the Alexandria community in Northern Virginia through a range of initiatives designed to foster the learning needs of underserved populations. Under the leadership of President and CEO Tammy Mann, Ph.D., Campagna has expanded its impact, now serving over 2,000 children, youth and adults daily.
Its programs include Campagna Kids, which encourages creative thinking among elementary students through before- and after-school activities, as well as sessions during winter, spring and summer breaks. The Wright to Read program connects volunteer tutors with students in need of reading support, and New Neighbors offers English language classes and support services for newcomers to Alexandria and Northern Virginia, such as immigrants and refugees.
Working in a collaborative fashion with other early care and education providers, Campagna expanded its early childhood programming, which has increased access to quality early education for low-income families. By utilizing federal and state resources including Head Start, Early Head Start, Mixed Delivery and the Virginia Preschool Initiative, Campagna is making it possible for over 400 children from birth to age 5 to access preschool that supports school readiness under Dr. Mann's leadership.
About the award: The Community Enhancement Award recognizes outstanding commitment to improving the quality of community life in Virginia. An individual, group or government entity may be nominated for this award.
Unsung Heroes Award
Mark Greenough is recognized for his passionate storytelling and deep knowledge of Virginia’s state Capitol, bringing its rich history to life for more than two decades.
In 2002, Greenough was appointed supervisor of Capitol Guides, leading tours that explore the remarkable stories and events that have unfolded within “Mr. Jefferson’s” Capitol since 1785. With only an hour to cover centuries of history, Greenough captivates visitors with engaging narratives that highlight the building’s architecture, legal and political milestones, and contributions of women and African Americans.
A true champion of the state Capitol, Greenough tailors his tours to the interests of his audience, whether guiding state leaders, dignitaries or the general public. His specialized tours have been requested by Govs. Tim Kaine, Mark Warner, Terry McAuliffe, Ralph Northam and current Gov. Glenn Youngkin. He has also had the honor of providing tours for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor as well as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
Renowned for their engaging and informative approach, Greenough’s tours are often described as a must-see experience, enjoyed by visitors of all ages.
About the award: The Unsung Heroes Award recognizes an individual who has provided exceptional service as a career employee with local or state government. The recipient must have significant longevity of public service to the commonwealth and be a Virginia resident.
Hill-Robinson Expansion of Freedom Award
Rev. Tyler C. Millner Sr. is recognized for his leadership in political and community activism, dedicating over 50 years to advocating for those in need and ensuring that every voice is heard.
With a lifelong passion for justice and equality, Millner remains deeply committed to inspiring people to build a “Beloved Community,” a vision championed by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Following the establishment of the King holiday as a federal and state observance, Virginia Union University entrusted Millner to organize an annual remembrance celebration to honor King’s legacy of public service. He is the founder of Community Learning Week, now known as Living the Dream, Richmond’s official commemoration of King. This celebration has grown into a national model for honoring the holiday, reinforcing King’s enduring impact on social justice and community engagement.
About the award: Named for two champions of civil rights, attorney Oliver Hill Sr. and Judge Spottswood Robinson III, this award recognizes a sustained commitment to securing equal rights and justice for all people by empowering residents. An individual may be nominated for this award.
Innovation in Government Award
Robert David Sr. is recognized for founding Project Imagine, the first community violence prevention program for high-risk and gang-affiliated youth in Danville in Virginia’s Southside region.
As the violence prevention manager for the city of Danville, David launched the award-winning Project Imagine in 2018 in response to rises in youth gun and gang violence. The program is a nine-week work-readiness initiative for individuals ages 15 to 21, providing employment education, on-the-job training, life skills instruction and mentorship. By offering a pathway to opportunity, Project Imagine has helped 165 young people transition off the streets and has become a national model for small cities nationwide.
Beyond his work in violence prevention, David is an accomplished author and motivational speaker, known for his ability to build relationships, develop collaborative strategies and guide individuals toward success.
About the award: The Innovation in Government Award recognizes the recipient’s innovative work that has resulted in increased efficiency, effectiveness or other improvements that affect how a government entity performs in supporting and delivering services to its constituents. An individual, organization or government entity may be nominated for this award.
Grace E. Harris Leadership Award
Eva Teig Hardy is recognized for her influential contributions in both the public and private sectors, with a steadfast commitment to public service, health, mental well-being and national peace efforts.
A seasoned leader in government and corporate administration, Hardy served as an advisor to U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, as well as Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe. She was appointed Virginia secretary of health and human services by Gov. Gerald Baliles, and she oversaw 17 state agencies, including those related to Medicaid, social services and mental health. During her tenure, she launched one of the nation’s first confidential AIDS testing and counseling programs and led Virginia’s largest-ever community mental health initiative.
Hardy’s leadership extended to international diplomacy when President Bill Clinton selected her to accompany him to the historic peace treaty signing between Israel and Jordan. She later transitioned to the corporate sector, joining Virginia Power, which later became Dominion Energy, where she spent 20 years as executive vice president of public policy and communications, overseeing operations across nine states.
About the award: The Grace E. Harris Leadership Award is named after the late Grace E. Harris, Ph.D., a trailblazer who broke down many barriers as an African American woman and whose vision and leadership had tremendous impacts at VCU, within the community and beyond. This award recognizes an individual who has made a discernible, sustainable positive impact on the quality of life in Virginia through public service.
About the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
Ranked in the top 15% nationally among schools of public affairs, the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University advances excellence in governance and promotes evidence-based public policy in Virginia and beyond. The Wilder School offers an array of graduate and undergraduate programs in virtually every policy area including criminal justice, homeland security and emergency preparedness, public administration, public policy and administration, and urban and regional studies and planning. Additionally, the Wilder School is home to robust centers and institutes that provide applied research in the areas of state and local government, social equity and leadership and a range of services to clients in state and local government, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and the general public. Learn more at wilder.vcu.edu.
About VCU
Virginia Commonwealth University is a major, urban public research university with national and international rankings in sponsored research. Located in downtown Richmond, VCU enrolls more than 28,000 students in 244 degree and certificate programs in the arts, sciences and humanities. Forty-one of the programs are unique in Virginia, many of them crossing the disciplines of VCU’s 11 schools and three colleges.
