Excellence in Service to Hood College Award

The 2021 recipient of the Excellence in Service Award is Virginia Turnbull Hecklinger '56, P'81, G'08.

“Ginny” as she’s known by one and all on Hood’s campus, and throughout the Frederick community, truly personifies the spirit of this award. Her service to Hood began shortly after graduation and has continued to this day. Ginny has devoted many hours to Hood in such roles as docent for The Hood History Museum, a Phone-a-Thon volunteer, Class Agent, and a multi-year Reunion Chair. She served on the Board of Associates from 2006-2010, and was the 1956 Class Representative at both President Ron Volpe’s and President Andrea Chapdelaine’s inaugurations. Besides giving freely of her time, she has consistently supported many fundraising projects for the College such as the renovation of Shriner Hall. Ginny is as a member of the Pergola Society, The President’s Club, Wisteria Circle, Touchstone, Gambrill, and Martha E. Church giving societies. Ginny has also spoken often on behalf of Hood about her philanthropic efforts, encouraging other Hood alumni to give back to the College, most recently in 2020 in support of the Hood Fund. Frederick has also benefited from Ginny’s community spirit as demonstrated through her volunteerism with her church, and as a pre-school consultant with the Association for the Education of Young Children. But, if you were to ask Ginny to name true legacy to Hood, there is no doubt that she would say it is her daughter Linda Hecklinger Procter ’81, and her granddaughter Lauren V. Procter ’08, both of whom she is very Hood Proud.