Beginning in a farmhouse nestled in the mountains of Buchanan County, Virginia, the McGlothlin family was sustained in their early years through farming and coal mining. As their success grew, the family business became involved in oil, gas, real estate, and financial services. The McGlothlin Foundation was created in 1998 to support worthy causes in higher education, health care, and the arts in southwest Virginia, West Virginia, eastern Kentucky, and northeast Tennessee.

Since 1999, Blue Ridge PBS has directed The McGlothlin Awards for Teaching Excellence. For more than 40 years, this community licensed broadcast system has served the region’s classrooms. Blue Ridge PBS provides instructional broadcasts and online educational resources (BlueRidgePBS.org/educate); special projects and professional development for teachers – ultimately bringing the world to students while helping teachers meet the Virginia Standards of Learning. Blue Ridge PBS includes WBRA/Roanoke, WMSY/Marion and WSBN/Norton in Virginia.