Recent events

Occupational Therapy grads meet alumni

In January, the MCV Alumni Association sponsored the Department of Occupational Therapy’s annual new-graduate event, Connections. This congratulatory event provides new graduates the opportunity to mingle with existing alumni of the program. About 50 graduates and alumni participated this year.

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St. Philip’s alumnae reunite

School of Nursing Dean Nancy Langston gathers with alumnae of the St. Philip's School of Nursing in the school's new Clinical Learning Center.

The St. Philip School of Nursing Alumnae Richmond Chapter held its annual holiday luncheon in December at the School of Nursing.

Meeting at the school was a first for the group, which was welcomed back by Dean Nancy Langston. After lunch, the group toured the new building, viewing the recently completed garden and the Clinical Learning Center.

During the era of racial segregation, the Medical College of Virginia established the St. Philip School of Nursing for African-American women. It operated from 1920 until September 1962, when the last of its 688 graduates received their nursing diplomas. Five years earlier, in 1957, the MCV School of Nursing admitted its first African-American student.

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Pharmacy honors donors, reconnects with alumni

Nearly 100 School of Pharmacy alumni, faculty, students and friends gathered Nov. 21 for the annual Galen Society dinner. The Galen Society recognizes benefactors who donate at the $500 level or higher. A reception featuring a string quartet and the dinner, followed by remarks from Dean Victor A. Yanchick, took place at The Jefferson Hotel.

The School of Pharmacy also hosted alumni gatherings at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Annual Meeting in Atlanta in November and at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists’ Midyear Clinical Meeting in Orlando, Fla., in December.

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New graduates and their families celebrate with the VCU Alumni Association and the MCV Alumni Association of VCU.

Recognizing our newest alumni

In December, VCU conferred more than 1,600 degrees during its 2008 fall Commencement exercises.

The VCU Alumni Association and the MCV Alumni Association of VCU welcomed these new graduates into the alumni fold at the associations’ annual Commencement Breakfast.

About 130 graduates and their families enjoyed breakfast at the Sports Medicine Center before the Commencement program at the Siegel Center.

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Dean Dr. Jerry Strauss (right), senior gift officer Joy Sanders (left) and Barry Sarkell (M.D.'86/M) pull out their iPhones to check out the medical school's recruitment video that is posted on YouTube.

School of Medicine alumni reception

Last week, School of Medicine Dean Dr. Jerry Strauss traveled to South Florida to host an alumni reception.

Nearly a dozen alumni and friends gathered at 32 East in Delray Beach to catch up and hear about the plans for a new School of Medicine education building from the dean.

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Dalentina Robertson (B.S.'87/H&S) (left) chats with Carla and Lee Shands.

Atlanta alumni cheer on Rams:

The VCU Alumni Association sponsored a pre-basketball game alumni social during the Jan. 21 VCU Rams vs. Georgia State Bulldogs game in Atlanta. About 20 alumni enjoyed refreshments and fellowship before the Rams win.

Dalentina Robertson (B.S.'87/H&S) is spearheading the effort to organize an Atlanta chapter of the association. About 1,100 VCU alumni live in the area. If you are interested in learning more or joining the chapter, contact Robertson. 

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Alumni greet state senator

VCU Alumni Association President Dan Massey (B.S.'92/B) greets Sen. John C. Watkins, R-10th, and his wife, Kay.

The VCU Alumni Association and the VCU Office of Government Relations honored Sen. John C. Watkins, R-10th, at a reception in the School of Engineering's Qimonda Atrium in January.

About 100 alumni, friends and staff saluted Watkins for his long-time support of VCU within the legislature. During his tenure in the Senate, Watkins has taken a leadership role in a number of university priorities, including serving as the chief patron of the Tier 3 legislation, which provides VCU incredible flexibility in operations -- not to mention the authority to keep several million dollars per year in interest earnings in our accounts and served as budget patron for a $1 million funding request for cancer research at the Massey Cancer Center. In addition, he worked extremely hard behind the scenes to ensure that VCU secured $70 million in funding last session for the new School of Medicine. He also was an early supporter on the School of Engineering and routinely employs VCU students as legislative interns.

VCU President Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., presented Watkins with several gifts on behalf of the university and the VCU Alumni Association.

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School of Education Alumni Council member Clare Trow (M.Ed.’02) reads to the children of Michael Huffman (M.S.’02/E), who is also on the council and serves as director of the school’s Office of Student Services.

Shopping to support Education

The first VCU School of Education Alumni Council Holiday Shopping event drew about 100 shoppers in early December to the new Barnes & Noble @VCU Bookstore.

The store donated an additional 5 percent of all purchases made during a specific timeframe that day to the council. Proceeds from the event support the School of Education Alumni Council Scholarship.

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Students, alumni benefit from networking event

More than 100 students, alumni and business representatives gather in Snead Hall for a Meet and Connect networking reception. Credit: MyungSun Lee

In November, the Alumni Board of Directors of the VCU School of Business once again sponsored a Meet and Connect networking reception for business students. This popular event is free to students and corporate employers where participants can network in a natural, relaxed environment.

More than 60 corporations representing many areas of business, such as accounting, finance, information systems, management, insurance, real estate, human resources, economics and marketing, registered for the event.

The next Meet and Connect reception is scheduled for March 23. Contact the School of Business Office of Development and Alumni Affairs at 804.828.1485 for information.

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