The Shadow
RICHMOND, VA (VR) — Four standout students from Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) were officially named to the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-Virginia Academic Team during a prestigious awards banquet held in Richmond on Tuesday, April 22nd.
The ceremony, which celebrates the “best and brightest” of Virginia’s two-year colleges, was emceed by Mountain Gateway President, Dr. John Rainone, and featured VCCS Chancellor Dr. David Doré, who personally presented the PTK Academic medals to the honorees.
“These men and women, whose pursuit of excellence has proven unwavering, represent the best of what our community college students achieve – not just academic excellence, but a commitment to serving their communities and leading positive change,” said Dr. Doré.
The MGCC students recognized for their exceptional academic performance and commitment
to community service are:
MacKenzie Carter
Jon Eggleston
Kabreya Henderson
Christine Rothwell
The All-Virginia Academic Team is a selective program designed to recognize students who pair intellectual rigor with a dedication to leadership. These individuals have demonstrated an ability to extend their education beyond the library and classroom to create a tangible benefit for society.
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier international honor society for two-year colleges, symbolizing excellence in higher education for more than a century. Since its inception, PTK has provided stimulation and enrichment while promoting the academic integrity of the associate degree program.
Due to this long-standing commitment to student success, the American Association of Community Colleges has designated Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges.
ABOUT MGCC: Founded in 1962 and located in the Alleghany Highlands region of Central Virginia, Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) is a two-year public institution of higher education and one of 23 community colleges in Virginia. Mountain Gateway Community College operates two educational campuses, the Clifton Forge campus and the Rockbridge Regional Center in Buena Vista. MGCC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees.
Mountain Gateway Community College is supported by the Commonwealth of Virginia, the counties of Alleghany, Bath, Northern Botetourt, and Rockbridge; the cities of Buena Vista, Covington, and Lexington. For more information about Mountain Gateway Community College, please visit MGCC.edu
VCCS Chancellor Dr. David Doré presents PTK medals to Mountain Gateway Community College students at the All-Virginia Academic Team awards program. Pictured (from left to right) MGCC students Jon Eggleston, Christine Rothwell, Kabreya Henderson, and MacKenzie Carter. (Far right) VCCS Chancellor Dr. David Doré. (Top center) Mountain Gateway Community College President Dr. John Rainone.
Mountain Gateway Community College students and staff attended the PTK 2026 All-Virginia Academic Awards program in Richmond on Tuesday. Pictured (from left to right), MGCC President Dr. John Rainone, MGCC Professor/PTK Adviser Lee Anne Bowling, MGCC students Kabreya Henderson, Christine Rothwell, and MacKenzie Carter, MGCC Professor/PTK Adviser Rachael Thompson, MGCC Educational Foundation Executive Director Bruce Loving, and MGCC Executive Assistant/PTK awards banquet coordinator Lisa Hicks.
