Giving news

• The College of Humanities and Sciences received a $50,000 gift from Golde L. Feldman to establish the Melvin V. Lubman Scholarship, in memory of her husband. The Lubman Scholarship is the first undergraduate scholarship established in the Department of Psychology. Lubman taught in the department for many years and was dedicated to his undergraduate students, helping them not only with their studies, but in some cases providing financial support – buying groceries or books – when he could. The first scholarship was awarded this fall.
• Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph H. Bunzl donated $25,000 to establish the Murry DePillars Piano Scholarship in the School of the Arts. DePillars served as dean of the school for almost 20 years and died in June. Through this gift, the Bunzls cement the legacy of excellence in teaching and mentorship DePillars exhibited during his tenure. The Department of Music hopes the scholarship, the first endowed award in the piano program, will help attract accomplished students.
• The School of Education has received a $30,000 challenge grant from an anonymous local foundation. The foundation will match dollar for dollar all new, unrestricted gifts and pledges to the school made through June 30, 2009.

• Dr. Ralph S. Riffenburgh (M.D.’47/M), with his wife, Angelyn, are giving back to the School of Medicine.

  Dr. Ralph Riffenburgh (M.D.’47/M) has pledged $250,000 to his alma mater to establish an endowed professorship in his name in the School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology. His ultimate goal is to enhance the department that helped shape his career by attracting top-notch professors now and in years to come. Endowed professorships help attract and retain outstanding scholars and researchers by providing supplemental salary funding, support for faculty projects and other initiatives.
• The Harry & Harriet Grandis Family Foundation donated more than $26,000 in support of scholarships in the School of Medicine.
• Marshall D. Gayheart Jr. (B.S.’53/P) gave $10,000 to the School of Pharmacy Annual Fund, which provides vital discretionary dollars to Dean Victor Yanchick to designate as needed for scholarship support, student and faculty research projects, special programs and one-of-a-kind events.

• Planned giving
  • Making a plan, making a difference

  • Alumni benefit from reinvesting in their alma mater

• Annual giving
  • Tradition draws alumni back to the VCU Medical Center
  • Bridging the gap