Alumni in the news
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Sculpture alumna earns esteemed fellowship
Sculptor Tara Donovan (M.F.A.’99/A) was named a winner of the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, becoming the third former VCU student to win the award in the past five years.
Donovan was one of 25 MacArthur Fellows named in September. Each grant winner will receive $500,000 over the course of five years with no obligations on how the money is spent, providing honorees with a large measure of freedom to advance their work.
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Fellowships are awarded annually to individuals from a variety of fields. Fellows are selected for their “creativity, originality and potential.” The award is often referred to as the “Genius Grant.”
Donovan follows in the footsteps of fellow sculptors and VCU alumni Teresita Fernandez (M.F.A.’92/A) and Daisy Youngblood, who studied at VCU in the 1960s.
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Delegates recognized for work as alumni
Del. John M. O'Bannon III (M.D.'73/M) listens as university officials praise his work.
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This fall, several alumni were honored for their work on behalf of the university.
Dr. John M. O'Bannon III (M.D.’73/M), who represents Virginia’s 73rd District in the House, completed his term on the VCU Health System Board of Directors in June.
VCU President Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D.; Dr. Sheldon Retchin, vice president for Health Sciences and CEO of the VCU Health System; Dr. Jerome Strauss, dean of the School of Medicine; and many other university officials, alumni and friends feted him at a reception at the Scott House.
Likewise, the School of Pharmacy honored Virginia Dels. Harvey B. Morgan (B.S.’55/P), of the 98th District, and S. Chris Jones (B.S.’82/P), representing the 76th District, were honored at a reception at the Paul A. Gross Conference Center.
School of Pharmacy alumni Harvey B. Morgan (left) and S. Chris Jones try their new caps on for size, a humorous nod to their support of the university by VCU President Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D.
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The delegates were recognized for their help in securing funding for the university, specifically the $5 million allocated by the state for renovations to the first three floors of the R. Blackwell Smith Building as well as funds for a classroom building on the Monroe Park Campus, the School of Medicine building and planning.
Pharmacy Dean Victor A. Yanchick joined Dr. Trani in recognizing their efforts on behalf of the university. Dr. Trani also inspired laughter and applause when he presented the pair with burgundy baseball caps emblazoned with the letters "MCV."
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Health Administration alumnus honored
R. Timothy Stack (M.H.A.’77/AHP)
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Virginia Commonwealth University's Department of Health Administration has awarded its 2008 Outstanding Alumnus Award to R. Timothy Stack (M.H.A.’77/AHP), president and chief executive officer of Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta.
The Outstanding Alumnus Award recipient is recognized as a leader and significant contributor to the health administration field, his or her community, VCU's Department of Health Administration, its alumni and professional organizations.
Selection criteria included professional accomplishments, departmental involvement and community involvement.
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Recent grad named Emerging Leader
Maggie Butler (B.S.’04/H&S; M.S.’06/AHP)
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Maggie Butler (B.S.’04/H&S; M.S.’06/AHP) recently won the Virginia Association of Rehabilitation Leadership Emerging Leader Award.
The VARL Emerging Leader award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated leadership potential within the field of Vocational Rehabilitation.
The award is given to a person who has "demonstrated a commitment to the advancement and development of exemplary leadership qualities through innovative thinking, leadership of others, effective participation in leadership activities, and study leading to a positive impact on the vocational rehabilitation community."
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Alumna/volunteer celebrates 83rd birthday
Bertha Rolfe (B.S.’47/P) is a familiar face around the MCV Campus. As a volunteer at the
School of Pharmacy Dean Emeritus Warren Weaver and his wife, Esther, pay tribute to Bertha Rolfe (right).
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Massey Cancer Center with 16 years of service with patients and 14 years of service on Massey’s Advisory Board, she is probably most visible during her Friday shifts manning the Patient Resources Library or teaming up with her husband, Norman, to represent Massey at various community events.
Rolfe is equally loved by the MCV Foundation and the VCU School of Pharmacy, where she served as a faculty member. Beginning in 1948, Rolfe made her mark as a lab instructor for the school for nine years. In the 1960s, she was a volunteer hospital pharmacist at McGuire General Veterans Hospital, and in 1971, she rejoined the School of Pharmacy faculty for another 10 years.
All three entities joined forces to throw a lovely birthday party for Rolfe, a cancer survivor who seems to have an endless supply of time and energy to generously give on behalf of Massey and others. More than 90 people turned out to enjoy cake and refreshments in the Healing Garden at the Massey Cancer Center's Goodwin Research Laboratory.
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