The MCC Foundation Board awarded its Humanitarian of the Year and Fundraiser/Friendraiser of the Year Awards at its February 2026 meeting. Award recipients were on hand to receive personal thank-yous in addition to commemorative pottery gifts crafted by members of MCC’s Heritage Crafts Program.
The Humanitarian Award is given to the individual or group which most exemplifies a spirit of goodwill and generosity not only to the benefit of Montgomery Community College, but the community at large. This year’s Humanitarian of the Year award was posthumously awarded to Dr. Benny Bryant Hampton. Dr. Hampton served as the third President at Montgomery Community College, from 1984-1992. A man dedicated to education, teaching agriculture in the classroom at different high schools and colleges for many years prior to becoming President at MCC. After leaving MCC, Dr. Hampton followed his dream of an agriculture-related business; he owned and operated Montgomery Farm and Garden for many years. Dr. Hampton was an advocate for students, and his family has endowed a scholarship in his memory. This award recognizes Dr. Hampton for his commitment and service to the students at Montgomery Community College and to this community. Dr. Hampton’s award was received in his memory by wife Peggy and son Bryant.
The Fundraiser/Friendraiser of Year Award is presented to the individual or group who best nurtures and cultivates relationships with the Foundation’s current and prospective donors. Our Fundraisers/Friendraisers of the Year are Doug and Jennifer Sheehan. Doug and Jennifer are the parents of Mathew Sheehan, whom they have endowed a scholarship in his memory this past year. Their son, Mathew, dreamed of one day attending Montgomery Community College to study gunsmithing. Mathew was born with a rare genetic disorder known as Loeys – Dietz Syndrome. As a result, Mathew became a bilateral foot amputee at the age of seven and had several major heart surgeries after graduating from high school. He passed away in December 2022 at the age of 25. This award recognizes Doug and Jennifer Sheehan for fully endowing their son’s scholarship in his memory, to allow future gunsmithing students to pursue their dreams.
“It is because of friends like these that our college and community can flourish,” said Susanna Kornegay, MCC’s Director of Resource Development. “The MCC Foundation is grateful to the Hamptons and the Sheehans for their ongoing support of Montgomery County and of Montgomery Community College. They make a difference every day in the lives of countless citizens and the students we are privileged to educate here at MCC.”