Belmont College Holds Honors Receptions Ceremony
Mrs. Elizabeth Gates has been named the College’s 2025 Heritage Tree recipient.
St. Clairsville, OH (September 25, 2025) — In recognition of steadfast dedication to Belmont College, Mrs. Elizabeth Gates was awarded high honors at the September 25th Honors Reception held at Belmont’s Academic Technical Center in St. Clairsville, Ohio.
The Heritage Tree Award is presented to individuals who have helped to shape Belmont College through leadership efforts and unwavering commitment. Receiving this distinguished award for devotion to the College is Mrs. Elizabeth Gates of Shadyside, OH.
Mrs. Elizabeth Gates is a trailblazer as one of the first females to work in technology at Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel in 1969. She formed her own technology firm, HGO Technology in 1986. Mrs. Gates has also been passionate about the success of Belmont College, supporting the College in any way possible. She has served on the College Board of Trustees since 1995 and as Board of Trustees Chairwoman since 2000.
In 2017, Mrs. Gates was named Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) Executive Chairperson. Every two years, the OACC Governing Board elects four trustees and four presidents to serve as officers of the Association’s Executive Committee. This Executive Committee is dedicated to the advancement and implementation of sound policy and initiatives that work to ensure the success of the more than 300,000 community college students in Ohio.
Mrs. Gates holds an M.A. in Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh and a B.S. in Mathematics from Wheeling Jesuit University. She is married to Mr. Richard Gates, and they have two children, Ann and John.
“Mrs. Gates’ deep commitment to education, specifically to Belmont College, has been extraordinary,” said Dr. Paul F. Gasparro, President. “She has been a guiding force behind many of the College’s most significant advancements.”
He continued, “Through her career and decades of unwavering service to Belmont, Mrs. Gates has shown what it means to lead with purpose, passion, and integrity.”
Board of Trustee member Mr. Cory DelGuzzo was a guest speaker at the ceremony. During his remarks, he said, “It is truly my honor to stand here tonight to recognize someone who has left an indelible mark on Belmont College.”
“Her service as a trustee has been nothing short of extraordinary. Liz has lent her vision, her energy, and her voice to shaping the future of this institution,” he continued. “She has been deeply engaged in Belmont’s mission—not as a distant observer, but as someone who takes the time to understand the challenges we face, while keeping her focus on what matters most: the students who walk these halls every single day.”
Also speaking at the Honors Reception was Dr. Mark Macri, Board of Trustees Vice Chairman. “Mrs. Gates is well known and respected in the world of higher education in Ohio, serving as the Chair of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges in 2018,” he said. “This is especially impressive to me not only because Belmont College is one of Ohio’s smallest community colleges but also because from my own experience, where I have found many people in the state don’t seem to know southeastern border of the state ends at the Ohio River and not the Muskingum River. But I can certainly assure you, because of Mrs. Gates, those involved with higher education, know Belmont College.”
A symbolic tree with gold leaves adorns a prominent spot in the College to showcase the names of the current honorees and those who previously received the distinction. Inductee’s names are etched on the tree as a permanent reminder of their individual commitment to the creation, growth, and development of Belmont College’s heritage.
A reception was held after the awards ceremony to celebrate Mrs. Gates.
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