Virginia Commonwealth University Commencement Program
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Virginia Commonwealth University VCU Scholars Compass VCU Commencement Programs VCU University Archives 2019 Virginia Commonwealth University Commencement Program Virginia Commonwealth University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/vcucommence © Virginia Commonwealth University Downloaded from https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/vcucommence/71 This Program is brought to you for free and open access by the VCU University Archives at VCU Scholars Compass. It has been accepted for inclusion in VCU Commencement Programs by an authorized administrator of VCU Scholars Compass. For more information, please contact [email protected]. MAY 11, 2019 Congratulations to all ✦ ! CommencementGreater Richmond Convention Center Richmond, Virginia A VCU University Relations publication an equal opportunity/affirmative action university 005161-08 Dear Class of 2019: Virginia Commonwealth University takes pride in the work it does to educate, research, create, heal and serve. Our students’ experience here is relevant not only to what is happening today, but also to whatever may be in the future. Today we celebrate as you, the Class of 2019, become graduates of VCU. Your success at one of America’s nationally prominent public research universities signifies that you have done more than complete your courses and receive grades. Your degree means years of hard work and dedication to refining your skills and acquiring new ones. Your dedication to academic excellence will translate well to whatever you choose to do in the future. For 181 years, your alma mater has focused on preparing students for a future as creators, educators, healers, innovators and entrepreneurs. As a graduate of VCU, I hope you will remember that your opportunities are boundless because your potential is limitless. On behalf of the faculty, staff, students and proud alumni of Virginia Commonwealth University, I congratulate you on the remarkable achievement of your Commencement. We are incredibly proud of you and wish you the brightest future possible. Best wishes, Michael Rao, Ph.D. President VCU and VCU Health System VCU Commencement 2019 1 Board of Visitors 2018-19 Rector H. Benson Dendy III Tyrone E. Nelson John A. Luke Jr. Todd P. Haymore Carol S. Shapiro, M.D. Vice Rector Robert D. Holsworth, Ph.D. Stuart C. Siegel Keith T. Parker Gopinath Jadhav, M.D. Jacquelyn E. Stone Edward L. McCoy Shantaram Talegaonkar, M.D. Secretary Ronald H. McFarlane, R.Ph. G. Richard Wagoner Jr. Colette W. McEachin University Vice Presidents Jay Davenport Ed McLaughlin Vice President for Development Vice President and Director of Athletics and Alumni Relations Aashir Nasim Karol Kain Gray Vice President for Inclusive Excellence Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer P. Srirama Rao Vice President for Research and Innovation Gail Hackett Provost and Senior Vice President Marsha D. Rappley for Academic Affairs Senior Vice President for Health Sciences and CEO, VCU Health System Pamela D. Lepley Vice President for University Relations Meredith Weiss Vice President for Administration Grand Marshals Bridget E. Byrne Humberto Fabelo 2 VCU Commencement 2019 Processional VCU Commencement Band Terry L. Austin, Director National Anthem* VCU Police Honor Guard VCU Commencement Band Welcome and Introductions Gail Hackett, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Remarks Michael Rao, President Commencement Address Andrew C. Florance Recognition of Award Recipients Honorary Degree Michael Rao, President Edward A. Wayne Medal Presidential Medallion Board of Visitors Award Conferring of Degrees and Honors Recognition Doctor of Philosophy Candidates F. Douglas Boudinot, Dean Doctor of Education Candidates Andrew P. Daire, Dean Graduate and First Professional Degrees Graduate School F. Douglas Boudinot, Dean College of Health Professions Alexander Tartaglia, Acting Dean School of Dentistry David C. Sarrett, Dean School of Medicine Peter F. Buckley, Dean School of Nursing Jean Giddens, Dean School of Pharmacy Joseph T. DiPiro, Dean Latin Honors and University Honors Barry L. Falk, Dean Undergraduate Degrees College of Engineering Barbara D. Boyan, Dean College of Health Professions Alexander Tartaglia, Acting Dean College of Humanities and Sciences Montserrat Fuentes, Dean School of the Arts Shawn Brixey, Dean School of Business Ed A. Grier, Dean School of Dentistry David C. Sarrett, Dean L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Susan T. Gooden, Interim Dean School of Nursing Jean Giddens, Dean School of Social Work Beth Angell, Dean University College Constance Relihan, Dean VCU Life Sciences Robert M. Tombes, Vice Provost VCU Alumni Remarks Dale C. Kalkofen, President VCU Alumni Turning of the Tassel Vivek Kuruvilla, President VCU Student Government Association Recessional** VCU Commencement Band To share photos or memories from Commencement, use #VCU2019. *The audience will be asked to stand for the national anthem. **Graduates will remain in place until the president’s party exits the arena. VCU Commencement 2019 3 Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Andy Florance founded CoStar Group from his dorm room as an under- graduate at Princeton University. Florance has led CoStar Group’s growth from startup to one of the largest 500 public companies. Last year, half a billion people from 70 countries used CoStar Group’s websites to rent, buy, analyze or finance a trillion dollars of real estate. Florance’s enduring com- mitment to innovation was recognized with Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award and by Forbes magazine, which named CoStar among the 100 Most Innovative Growth Companies in the world. As CEO of CoStar Group, Florance leads an exceptional team of over 3,700 employees in 100 offices, operating 25 companies. Among these companies, Apartments.com, with its spokesperson Jeff Goldblum, is the most heavily trafficked apartment website and helps tens of millions of people find apartments. CoStar and LoopNet are the most visited websites in the world for companies and investors looking to lease, buy or finance office, industrial and apartment buildings, as well as retail stores and 2019 Recipient land. BizBuySell.com is the largest website for people looking to buy and sell Andrew C. Florance small businesses. The Lands of America network is the largest online mar- ketplace for people buying and selling farms. These companies and 20 others The Honorary Doctor of Humane have 200,000 clients and serve tens of millions of people. Letters is Virginia Commonwealth Florance has identified, negotiated and acquired more than 30 public or University’s highest form of private companies across six countries, has designed dozens of websites and recognition. Presented by the has raised billions of dollars to fuel CoStar Group’s growth. CoStar Group president at Commencement, has performed in the top 10% of public companies, as $10,000 invested into it recognizes those individuals CoStar Group’s IPO could be worth $540,000 in 2019. who have made outstanding Florance has co-authored a number of academic articles on commercial contributions to society through real estate economics and received Best Manuscript Prize Awards and the scholarship, public service, Scholar Practitioner Prize from the American Real Estate Society. He is humanitarianism, science and art. active in education, having served on six school boards over 28 years. He also served on several public company boards and six nonprofit boards. Florance is currently the chair of the board of the Washington National Cathedral and serves on the board of Management Leadership for Tomorrow, a non- profit that develops diverse leaders. He enjoys his spare time on a farm in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains with his wife, Heather, and two sons, Christopher and Matthew. 4 VCU Commencement 2019 Edward A. Wayne Medal William “Bill” M. Ginther holds undergradu- ate and master’s degrees from the VCU School of Business. He is a retired corporate executive vice president of SunTrust Bank, formerly Crestar, where he was responsible for bank operations and the retail branches. Bill worked for SunTrust for 37 years before retiring in 2007. From 2010 to 2018, he served on the Board The Edward A. Wayne of Visitors, including serving as rector and vice Medal was established rector. He is a founding trustee of the School of in 1971 to honor Business Foundation and a member of the Rams individuals who have Club Advisory Committee and VCU Athletics made outstanding Advisory Board. Bill’s service includes previous contributions or provided membership on many boards, including the exemplary services to Business Alumni Society, VCU Health System 2019 Recipients Virginia Commonwealth Authority, MCV Foundation and School of Marsha C. and University. Presented Business Council. He is also former president of William M. Ginther by the president at VCU Alumni. Commencement, the Marsha C. Ginther attended Old Dominion University. She is an artist who works in medal is named in honor clay. Marsha has been an active volunteer at Massey Cancer Center, specifically on the of Edward A. Wayne, Women and Wellness Committee. She was co-chair for the capital campaign to buy and who was chair of the renovate the Visual Arts Center in Richmond. commission that led The Ginthers are steering committee members of the Make It Real Campaign for to the establishment VCU. The couple received the Alumni Award for Extraordinary Service in 2016, and of VCU in 1968 by Bill was honored as an Alumni Star in 2000 and with an Outstanding Service Award the Virginia General from the School of Business Council in 1997. Assembly. Mr. Wayne The Ginthers have an extraordinary legacy of service and philanthropy for more served as the university’s than two decades. In 1999, they established the Ginther Family Merit Scholarship in first vice rector. business. In 2015, they created the Bill and Marsha Ginther Family Endowed Research Fund at Massey. They have generously supported the School of Business Campaign and construction of the Athletics’ basketball practice facility and the ICA’s Markel Center. The Ginthers reside in Midlothian and have two children and five grandchildren. VCU Commencement 2019 5 Edward A.