Remembering Greer Saunders, VCCS System Counsel

Most people who had dealings with VCCS System Counsel Greer Saunders knew her as a quiet and competent attorney. A smaller number of friends and associates also knew that she was dedicated to the U.S. Marine Corps. That's Marine Reservist Greer Saunders, above-right, on patrol an Afghanistan in 2011. Saunders died unexpectedly on July 12 at the age of 58. Saunders led the VCCS legal team for the past 12 years.

"Greer served the VCCS with excellence and dedication, and she was tireless and passionate in her commitment to her clients throughout the Virginia Community College System," said VCCS Chancellor David Dore.

At its meeting July 18, the VCCS State Board observed a moment of silence in Saunders' honor. "Greer made an indelible mark on Virginia's Community Colleges and served our system and colleges with intelligence and integrity as our chief legal advisor," said VCCS State Board Chair Terri Thompson. "Greer and her team advised and assisted us on matters ranging from contracts, employment law, real estate transactions, trademark registration, and much more. To say that she'll be missed is a massive understatement."

Saunders was assigned as Senior Assistant Attorney General to the Virginia Community College System in August of 2012. She had served in the A.G.'s office for ten years prior to that, representing colleges and universities, and as Statewide Coordinator for Domestic Violence Initiatives.

"On behalf of the Attorney General, I extend deepest condolences to Greer's family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing and working with her," wrote Chief Deputy A.G. Steven Popps in an email to the Attorney General's staff. "She will be greatly missed by her colleagues at OAG and the large community of people on whom she had a profound impact."

Saunders earned her J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law, a master's degree from George Washington University, and a bachelor's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Saunders served more than five years on active duty in the Marine Corps and was a Marine Corps Reservist for twenty years, retiring with the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. She graduated first in her class in Drill Instructor School, and was also an accomplished musician, playing clarinet in the Marine Corps Band.

She wrote a first-person account for Richmond's Style Weekly Magazine in 2007, recounting her experiences on patrols and rooting out insurgents during her deployment in Iraq. "They're shooting at you sometimes and you don't know each time you go out there - outside the wire - you don't know if you're coming back."

To honor Saunders, the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education has established "The Greer D. Saunders Student Success Fund," which will support students in a Virginia Community College who are active-duty, reservist, honorably discharged or veteran of a United States military service branch. The funds will be used for expenses other than tuition, and it will support childcare, transportation, and other expenses that may serve as a barrier to student success. You can make a donation to the fund here.

A Celebration of Life service honoring Saunders was held at Richmond's Trinity Baptist Church on Saturday, July 20. You can learn more and read her obituary here.

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