D.R. Hanford Leadership Award 2025 | Virginia Cross

The Green River College Foundation is pleased announce this year's recipient of the D.R. Hanford Leadership Award, Virginia Cross. Congratulations, Virginia! This video is a recording of the D.R. Hanford Leadership Award ceremony held to honor Virginia Cross and the impact of work she has done for students. This event was held on August 14, 2025 in the Center of Leadership and Innovation building on Green River's main Auburn campus. Special Thanks to the Canoe Family for opening the event. We would like to show our respect and acknowledge the Traditional Lands of the Muckleshoot people, past and present, on which this meeting took place. ​ The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, located in South King County, is the Seattle area's Federally Recognized Indian tribe and successor to Duwamish and Upper Puyallup peoples who were party to the Treaties of Point Elliott and Medicine Creek.​ Muckleshoot remains a strong Sovereign Nation and are invaluable contributors to our state history, identity, economy, and culture. Chapter List: 00:00 Opening | Canoe Family 06:39 Salutations & Land Acknowledgement 08:45 Welcome 11:37 Meaning of the Award 15:59 About Denton 20:03 Nomination Process 25:50 Award Presentation 29:23 Honoree | Virginia Cross 33:08 Guest Speaker | Dr. Denise Bill 41:26 Guest Speaker | Justice Bill 46:03 Guest Speaker | Leslie Kessler 52:47 Guest Speaker | Kip Herren 1:02:06 Guest Speaker | Alan Spicciati 1:08:29 Announcing the New Recognition Wall 1:09:20 Closing To learn more about the Foundation and how scholarships impact lives, please visit: http://greenriver.edu/foundation Green River College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, real or perceived national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal. To receive the following information in an alternative format or request disability accommodation at a GRC event, students should contact Disability Support Services at: 253-931-6460; TTY 253-288-3359; or [email protected]. Staff and faculty should contact [email protected]. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact Korland Simmons, Title IX Coordinator & Equity Compliance Manager at 417 Ramsay Way, Suite 112, Room 279, Kent, WA 98032; 253-833-9111, ext. 3361; or [email protected]. Learn more at: greenriver.edu/nondiscrimination.