Since 1992, the Newport News Education Foundation (NNEF) has supported Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) through the dedication of community members. From his office within Newport News Public Schools on Warwick Boulevard, Dale M. Mingilton describes the Newport News Education Foundation as “an arm of the school district.”
“Hopefully, we reflect positively what the Foundation members are trying to accomplish. We have a top-rated education here for our students,” Mingilton says, sharing that the Foundation supports the goals of Dr. Michele Mitchell, NNPS superintendent. “But,” he continues, “we also want to look at how do we help — as students, as teachers have needs. How do we grow those funds for mini grants, classroom grants? Can we increase our scholarship programs?”
Community partnerships that make NNEF’s objectives fully possible are a major focus of Mingilton’s work. These connections can be established and maintained between the schools and the funding that can help them. By creating and increasing them, more opportunities, such as scholarships, often become available for students. Adding an element of mentorship to that approach is also important to Mingilton. He shared that his father, who could not read or write, took Mingilton to college.
In April 2024, Mingilton took on the title of foundation and corporate partnership liaison with the Newport News Education Foundation. Originally from Colorado, his retirement from a career in banking came after working for the same bank for 23 years. He took a year off and remembers when a friend called him and said: “You’re not retired! There’s a nonprofit that could use your help.”
That call took Mingilton to the Better Business Bureau of Denver-Boulder, where he served as president and CEO. “There, I worked a little harder than I wanted to in retirement,” he says with a smile. After retiring once more and taking another year for himself, he received another friend’s call with another opportunity. That connection took Mingilton to the Adams 14 Education Foundation where he worked for 10 years until 2023. Though now technically retired, he remains on the board.
Now, after multiple retirements and returns to work, Mingilton’s contributions to the Newport News Education Foundation have continued to strengthen. As he explains, the four major programs at NNEF include an annual golf tournament, teacher innovation mini grants, the Wayne D. Lett Scholarship and Salute for Success Student Recognition Dinner. Mingilton says that the Foundation is the school district’s “501c3 arm for grants.” Through school-board approved projects, students can gain skills, connections and resources to increase the velocity of their success as they grow and eventually graduate.
With Mingilton on board, NNEF is gearing up for a banner year. Sharon Martin, senior vice president/private banker with Old Point National Bank, has been elected 2024-25 president, leading a diverse group of business, education and industry leaders who support NNPS efforts to prepare students for their future.
Mingilton is continually motivated by seeing student success, and by his own family as well. “My wife Teri is spectacular. We have two incredible kids and a son-in-law,” he says. Teri, also a retired banker, now works for an attorney and maintains her photography business. Their daughter, Addie, is an artist with her master’s degree in painting, whose early work is hung with pride in her father’s office. The couple also have a son, Ticen, and a son-in-law, Angel. Mingilton enjoys weekend adventures in his family’s motor home and “whatever my wife likes.”
In the 2024-2025 school year, Mingilton’s goals with the NNEF are to fundraise as much as possible, increase community engagement and consider new developments. “The summers are good for downtime,” he says. “But it’s tough, because it’s the students that energize me.”
TO THE POINT:
Newport News Education Foundation
Address: 12465 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23693
Contact: Dale M. Mingilton, foundation and corporate partnership liaison
Email: dale.mingilton@nn.k12.va.us
Phone: 757-591-4747
Website: www.nnschools.org/nnef
