The founding chancellor of the Virginia Community College System has died. News 8 reports Dana. B. Hamel died last Friday at the age of 99. Current Chancellor David Doré says “Dr. Hamel’s leadership as the architect and first Chancellor of our community colleges was essential in opening the door for countless Virginians to gain access to higher education and a better life”. Hamel became VCCS’s chancellor when it was founded in 1966 serving until 1979.