Donor’s Gift to Allow Students to Attend Rio’s McArthur Center for Free
Rio Grande Community College announced that a generous donor, Mr. James Mitchell, has pledged to pay the tuition, books, and fees for all students who attend RGCC’s McArthur Center. The current center, located in the former Vinton County High School, will house courses through 2025, before moving to its new location in early 2026.
This spring, Governor Mike DeWine announced that Rio received a $12,000,000 grant from the state’s Appalachian Community Grant Program to fund the construction of a new center. The state-of-the-art facility will feature flexible spaces designed to accommodate classrooms, event venues, and office space for community partners.
"We started this project to continue supporting education and economic development in southern Ohio," said Ryan Smith, President of University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College. "The gift from the Mitchell family will remove the financial barriers that keep many people from benefitting from a life-changing education. I’m excited to see the impact that this has economically in Vinton County and throughout the region.”
Mitchell’s donation, which will come through the Vinton County Community Fund of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, is meant to attract students who otherwise might not have the opportunity to pursue an education, and to do so free from the burden of student loan debt.
“I feel fortunate to be able to fund the programs at Rio for the education of residents of Vinton County and surrounding areas,” said Mitchell. “By helping fund their continuing education, my hope is to enable them to advance their trade, profession, or career.”
Mitchell, a Vinton County native, graduated from McArthur High School in 1959. His parents were active members of the community. His mother, Virginia, worked in the county as a registered nurse and his father, Kenneth, was a long-time member of the McArthur Volunteer Fire Department.
After high school, James attended Ohio State University where he earned an MBA in 1965, followed by a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Professionally, he retired from Ernst & Young’s New York City office in 1999.
The Vinton County Community Fund, one of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio’s affiliate partners, was established in 2022 to ensure permanent support for the people and communities of Vinton County by encouraging and supporting philanthropy. FAO is a regional community foundation serving all 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio.
“Education plays a vital role in ensuring the people and communities of Vinton County can flourish,” said Bruce Knox, VCCF committee member. “Thanks to Mr. Mitchell’s generous gift, Vinton Countians will be able to pursue postsecondary training that might otherwise be unavailable to them, which will have a significant impact on their lives and their communities for years to come.”
The McArthur Center offers various degree and certification programs in general studies, healthcare, social work, and more. For more information and a list of upcoming courses, please visit our McArthur Center page.