VCU news

By VCU News staff

Wanda Clary was among those Virginia Commonwealth University and VCU Health staff members honored at the annual Service Recognition Celebration last week at the Stuart C. Siegel Center, but it was a previous occurrence of the celebration in 2012 that she cites as the highlight of her career. It was that year that Clary, an executive administrative assistant, won the Dorris Douglas Budd Award, which recognizes a staff member for exemplary administrative support. In a video featuring several long-time faculty and staff members that was played at this year’s event, Clary, who has been with VCU for 45 years, recalled how much winning the award had meant to her.

“It was so thrilling when they called my name out,” Clary said.

At this year’s event, VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., said VCU and VCU Health have a combined workforce of about 24,000 people, including the more than 2,700 reaching milestones who were honored at the ceremony. Rao said the work the honorees do forms the core of VCU’s identity, and he praised their collective commitment to students, patients and colleagues.

"We are very, very grateful for all the ways that I see so many of you day in and day out give to this institution,” Rao said. “I see you give your energies. I see you give talent. I see you give sincere love for people, particularly the people who benefit from the important mission that we serve on all fronts of this institution. You are what makes VCU and VCU Health. You are members of our team who absolutely have moved this institution forward. So when you hear about all the great things that happen, and I get to tell the stories about the great things that happened at this institution, it's really because all of you found ways not only to move us, but you did it together.”

Pete Peterson, vice president of total rewards for VCU Health System, said VCU’s faculty and staff are part of “a rich legacy of learning, teaching, creating, innovating and healing.”

“I have seen firsthand how our health system team members and university faculty and staff make an immeasurable difference not only in Richmond, but throughout Virginia and beyond,” Peterson said. “We extend a sincere thank you for all that you have done to positively impact our community and our world. At VCU, we attempt things others can’t – or won’t. Our innovative spirit carries us through challenging times, and ultimately leads us to the successes that we celebrate together.”

Alison Miller, interim assistant vice president for human resources at VCU, said that VCU’s faculty and staff members all contribute to the VCU community in different and valuable ways.

“Whether you are performing innovative academic research, saving lives through medical breakthroughs, supporting students in navigating the college experience, or keeping our vibrant campus beautiful and safe, you have all helped our university continue to adapt to our changing world and meet the needs of each new group of students, patients and community members,” Miller said. “Your meaningful contributions positively impact the lives of so many, and we are grateful that you continue to dedicate your time, efforts and expertise to supporting VCU.”

The Service Recognition Celebration honored faculty and staff members reaching employment milestones ranging from five to 50 years. Clary was one of 22 reaching the 45-year or 50-year mark this year. In the video featured at the ceremony, other long-term team members reminisced about their earliest days at VCU and reflected on the years that had passed.

Clary remembered being offered her first job at VCU in the Department of History immediately after her interview, while Robert Gowdy, Ph.D., associate professor of physics in the College of Humanities and Sciences, said he started at VCU 45 years ago with a one-year temporary appointment that became permanent when he convinced his department of his value in part by setting up one of “the very first word processing computers” and putting it to productive work.

“The department generously offered me the permanent position because they figured they were not going to get anybody else even remotely like me,” Gowdy said. “So that's how I got here.”

Joel Silverman, M.D., said it has been rewarding to help develop the Department of Psychiatry in the School of Medicine during his 50-year tenure, which included more than 30 years as department chair.

“The ability to grow a department, to strengthen research, to offer mental health care for people has been fabulous – the ability to teach students who are going to be the psychiatrists of the future,” Silverman said.

Jodi Koste, university archivist and senior curator who was recognized for her 45 years of service, noted that VCU was just 10 years old when she arrived in 1978.

“So no one thought much about history,” Koste said. “That was kind of my job to try to stress the importance of institutional history. And today, if you walk around both campuses, but particularly on the MCV campus, you see many historical markers, or there are architectural elements from former buildings, there are murals, there is signage that lets people know about the institution's past. I worked with many other administrators, faculty, students to bring it all to life in the various historical remembrances that you see on campus now.”

Patricia Dunlap, a grant accountant celebrating 45 years, said she has seen “a lot of changes” during her time at VCU – from the buildings to the work itself. That change, however, “keeps you going,” she said.

Similarly, Emily Gurley, a senior lab specialist with VCU Health, said, “It's been fun watching through the years. The people, the students keep you young.”

VCU has proved to be an inspiring and special workplace for its longest-serving staff and others.

“It's a great place to work because you have this sensation that you never want to leave,” Clary said. “And that's why I'm here.”

The Service Recognition Ceremony included the presentation of the annual service awards. This year’s winners were:

President’s Award of Excellence

Beth Williamson Ayers, College of Health Professions

President’s Outstanding Achievement Award

Maggie Tolan, Student Success

The Danny Woodward President’s Service Excellence Award

Jessica Carey, Department of Surgery

Daynon Smith, Human Resources

Tara Thomas, Police Department

Dorris Douglas Budd Award for Exemplary Administrative Support

Harris Middleton, Department of Family Medicine