The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, Va. (VR) – Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) proudly announces Christine Rothwell as the recipient of the 2024 Wilson Cup for Scholarship, Character, and Community Service.
The Wilson Cup, established in 2007 by Bill and Lang Wilson, honors outstanding students at MGCC who demonstrate exceptional scholarship, character, and community service. The award is named in memory of Bill Wilson’s mother, Elizabeth Goodall Wilson, who spent 40 years teaching high school students at Crewe and Nottoway County High Schools. In addition to her work as a teacher, she served as a guidance counselor, inspiring many students to pursue higher education. Bill Wilson’s personal experience of receiving a similar award at Hampden-Sydney College for “Character,
Athletics, and Scholarship” also influenced the creation of the Wilson Cup.
Lang Wilson expressed, “This year’s recipient, Christine Rothwell, is an especially worthy choice for the award. She has accomplished so many things, both academically and otherwise. We are all proud of her and wish her well in her future endeavors.”
To be eligible for the Wilson Cup, recipients must demonstrate academic excellence, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, complete at least 30 credit hours, and be a resident of the college’s service area. This year’s recipient, Christine Rothwell, has exemplified these qualities in every way. She is highly involved in supporting her children’s activities in the community, including football, soccer, and band, while maintaining a high level of academic achievement. In the classroom, she consistently demonstrates a hunger for knowledge, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to growth.
Beyond her studies, Christine has taken an active leadership role in MGCC’s Roadrunner Café, ensuring it is properly stocked, clean, and ready for students. As the Chair of the Classified Staff Committee, she plays a key role in organizing fundraisers, coordinating social events, and developing training programs for faculty. Her leadership, dedication, and commitment to community service make her an exceptional representative of the
values the Wilson Cup seeks to honor.
“It is my honor to present the Wilson Cup to Christine Rothwell for her outstanding contributions to both her studies and the MGCC community,” said Amy Phillips, Executive Director of the Educational Foundation & Director of Institutional Advancement at MGCC. “Her commitment to excellence, leadership, and service is a model for her peers, and we are proud to recognize her with this prestigious award.”
The Wilson Cup serves as a testament to the legacy of Elizabeth Goodall Wilson, Bill Wilson’s dedication to fostering academic and personal development, and the unwavering commitment to excellence within the MGCC community. Christine Rothwell’s accomplishments embody the core values that the Wilsons sought to promote through this award.
The MGCC Educational Foundation awards more than $100,000 in scholarships annually. Awards range from $100 – $5,000. For more information about Mountain Gateway Community College’s scholarship opportunities, visit www.mgcc.edu/scholarships or contact Amy Phillips at aphillips@mgcc.edu.
