Birch Douglas Receives Patrick Henry Award

from Hampden-Sydney College

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L to R: Dr. Christopher Howard, President of Hampden-Sydney College; Birch Douglass; Dr. David Marion, Director of the Wilson Center

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA (04/26/2012)(readMedia)-- On April 20, the Wilson Center for Leadership in the Public Interest at Hampden-Sydney College presented the Patrick Henry Award to W. Birch Douglass III, H-SC Class of 1965, to recognize his outstanding career dedicated to public service. The award is named for the patriot Patrick Henry, who was an early trustee of the College.

At Hampden-Sydney Douglass was a member of the football team and brother in the Kappa Alpha fraternity. He was inducted into the honor societies Omicron Delta Kappa (leadership), Phi Beta Kappa (academics), and Phi Delta Phi (law). Following graduation, Birch entered the University of Richmond Law School where he received his law degree in 1968. He attended Harvard Law School in 1969, completing his LL.M. A partner with McGuire Woods in Richmond, Douglass has built a very successful practice specializing in tax law and charitable giving. In 2011, he was named "Richmond Tax Lawyer of the Year." He has been identified as one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Woodward/White for over ten consecutive years and a "Super Lawyer" every year from 2006 to 2011.

Outside of his law practice, Douglass and his wife Ginny are strong supporters of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the University of Richmond, Hanover Tavern Foundation, and the Rosewell Foundation. He served on the Board of Directors for the Fine Arts Museum from 1995 to 2008, and as their president from 2004 to 2007. At the University of Richmond, he has been on the Board of Associates, serving as the Chairman of the Board and a member of the Advisory Committee on Estate Planning. He is a recipient of the Alumni Award for Distinguished Service from the University of Richmond.

Over the years, Douglass has served Hampden-Sydney College with loyalty and devotion. A current trustee, he was first elected to the Board in 1991. He served as the Vice Chairman in 2000. He is a recipient of the Keating Medallion which recognizes outstanding service and extraordinary dedication to Hampden-Sydney College. In 2005, Douglass received an Alumni Citation in recognition of service to the College, support of its activities, financial commitment to the future of the institution, and, above all, for steady demonstration of the excellence that is the hallmark of the Hampden-Sydney man.