Virginia Commonwealth University VCU Scholars Compass VCU Commencement Programs VCU University Archives 2018 Virginia Commonwealth University Fall 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/73 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]. Congratulations to all! December 8, 2018 E.J. Wade Arena at the Stuart C. Siegel Center CommencementRichmond, Virginia A VCU University Relations publication an equal opportunity/affirmative action university 004935-08 Dear Class of 2018: Virginia Commonwealth University takes pride in the work it does to educate, create, research, heal and serve. The education students receive 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 2018, become graduates of VCU. Your success at one of America’s great public research universities signifies that you have done more than complete your courses and receive grades. Your degree signifies 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 180 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 without limit 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 2018 1 Board of Visitors 2018-19 Rector H. Benson Dendy III Phoebe P. Hall Todd P. Haymore Robert D. Holsworth, Ph.D. Gopinath Jadhav, M.D. Vice Rector Edward L. McCoy John A. Luke Jr. Ron H. McFarlane, R.Ph. Alexander B. McMurtrie Jr. Secretary Tyrone E. Nelson Keith T. Parker Colette W. McEachin Carol S. Shapiro, M.D. Stuart C. Siegel Jacquelyn E. Stone Shantaram Talegaonkar, M.D. G. Richard Wagoner Jr. University Vice Presidents Jay Davenport P. Srirama Rao Vice President for Development Vice President for Research and Innovation and Alumni Relations Ed McLaughlin Deborah Davis Vice President and Director of Athletics Vice President for Clinical Services and CEO, VCU Hospitals and Clinics, Aashir Nasim VCU Health System Vice President for Inclusive Excellence Karol Kain Gray Marsha D. Rappley Senior Vice President and Vice President for Health Sciences Chief Financial Officer and CEO, VCU Health System Gail Hackett Meredith Weiss Provost and Senior Vice President Vice President for Administration for Academic Affairs Pamela D. Lepley Vice President for University Relations 2 VCU Commencement 2018 Processional VCU Commencement Brass Ross A. Walter, Director National Anthem* VCU Police Honor Guard VCU Commencement Brass Welcome and Introductions Gail Hackett, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Remarks Michael Rao, President Commencement Address Christy S. Coleman Recognition of Award Recipients Honorary Degree Michael Rao, President Edward A. Wayne Medal Presidential Medallion Conferring of Degrees and Honors Recognition Doctor of Philosophy Candidates F. Douglas Boudinot, Dean Graduate and First Professional Degrees Graduate School F. Douglas Boudinot, Dean College of Health Professions Cecil B. Drain, Dean Latin Honors and University Honors Barry L. Falk, Dean Undergraduate Degrees College of Engineering Barbara D. Boyan, Dean College of Health Professions Cecil B. Drain, Dean College of Humanities and Sciences Montserrat Fuentes, Dean School of the Arts Shawn Brixey, Dean School of Business Ed A. Grier, 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 Recessional** VCU Commencement Brass To share photos or memories from Commencement, use #VCU2018. *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 2018 3 Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Christy Coleman grew up in Williamsburg, Virginia, and earned her bach- elor’s and master’s degrees from Hampton University. She currently serves as CEO of the American Civil War Museum, located in Richmond and Appomattox, Virginia. In this role, she has been instrumental in furthering discussion around the Civil War, its legacies and its relevance to our lives today — not only in the Richmond region, but also around the nation. She began her career at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. During her time with CWF she had increasing levels of responsibility, finally serving as director of historic programs, responsible for all programming and tours in the Historic Area. In 1999 she left to become president and CEO of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan. In 2008, Coleman was named president and CEO of the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar. In 2013 she helped orchestrate the merger of ACWC with the Museum of the Confederacy to create the American Civil War Museum. She has served 2018 Recipient on a number of local commissions and national boards, and strives to make Christy S. Coleman museum experiences meaningful to diverse communities. A tireless advocate for the power of museums, narrative disruption and inclusivity, she has been The Honorary Doctor of Humane an innovator and leader in the history museum field. Letters is Virginia Commonwealth University’s highest form of recognition. Presented by the president at Commencement, it recognizes those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society through scholarship, public service, humanitarianism, science and art. 4 VCU Commencement 2018 Edward A. Wayne Medal Since 1978, George P. Emerson Jr. has been president of the Emerson Companies, a real estate development group in Chester, Virginia. He holds an undergraduate degree from the VCU School of Business. He is past chair and a current member of the Massey Cancer Center Advisory Board and a member of the MCV Foundation, VCU Real Estate Foundation and The Edward A. Wayne VCU Health System Authority boards. Medal was established Darlene B. Emerson received a degree in nurs- in 1971 to honor ing from John Tyler Community College in 1976 individuals who have and worked as a registered nurse for 18 years. made outstanding She is a former board member of the First Tee of contributions or provided Greater Richmond. The Emersons are members exemplary services to of the Make It Real Campaign for VCU Steering 2018 Recipients Virginia Commonwealth Committee, and both also serve on the Chester Darlene B. and University. Presented YMCA Board, with Darlene as chair. They George P. Emerson Jr. by the president at belong to Chester United Methodist Church Commencement, the where George serves on the board and Darlene medal is named in honor chairs the Care Committee. Darlene also serves on the Lucy Corr Foundation Board. of Edward A. Wayne, Two of the most active supporters of Massey Cancer Center, the Emersons founded who was chair of the the Highlands-Massey Classic in 2006 after George was diagnosed with throat cancer. commission that led (He is now cancer-free after being successfully treated at Massey.) The tournament is to the establishment an annual fundraiser — one of Massey’s largest — dedicated to eradicating breast, head of VCU in 1968 by and neck cancer. In 2012, Massey dedicated the Highlands-Massey Classic Research the Virginia General Wing in the Goodwin Research Laboratory in recognition of the classic having raised Assembly. Mr. Wayne more than $2.6 million. The couple has volunteered countless hours working on many served as the university’s fundraising efforts at the cancer center. first vice rector. The Emersons have also generously supported the schools of Business and Medicine, VCU Health and VCU Athletics. Through two decades of philanthropy and volun- teerism, they have made schools, research centers and care units across VCU better and stronger. We are grateful for the lifelong impact the Emersons have made on our university. The Emersons reside in Chester and have three daughters and seven grandchildren. VCU Commencement 2018 5 Edward A. Wayne Medal Harold E. Greer Jr., Ph.D., is an award- winning professor emeritus of history in the College of Humanities and Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University. Hired in 1968, just after Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia merged to form VCU, he was the university’s first professor of Latin American history. He was the recipient of The Edward A. Wayne multiple awards for teaching and advising excel- Medal was established lence and was active in student life as an adviser in 1971 to honor to student organizations and as founder of the individuals who have VCU chapter of national honor society Phi Eta made outstanding Sigma. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a Ph.D. contributions or provided in history from the University of Alabama. exemplary services to Laura B. Greer taught in the VCU School of 2018 Recipients Virginia Commonwealth Business for five years. She was program head Laura B. and University. Presented and professor of office technology at John Tyler Harold E. Greer Jr., Ph.D. by the president at Community College in Chester, Virginia, where Commencement, the she taught for 22 years.