Aug. 2, 2013

31st Opening Faculty Address and Convocation set for Aug. 21

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Distinguished faculty members and University Student Scholars will be honored during the 31st Opening Faculty Address and Convocation on Wednesday, Aug. 21, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.

VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., also will update progress on the university’s strategic plan, Quest for Distinction, at the event. Beverly Warren, Ed.D., Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, and Sheldon Retchin, M.D., senior vice president for health sciences and CEO of the VCU Health System, will participate in the ceremony, which recognizes faculty members who have distinguished themselves and the university through their commitment to teaching, scholarship, service and overall excellence.

This year’s faculty awards and recipients are:

  • Nancy F. Langston, Ph.D., retired dean of the School of Nursing; H.M. Lee, M.D., School of Medicine (posthumous); and James P. Neifeld, M.D., School of Medicine, will receive the Presidential Medallion, which is awarded for extraordinary achievement in learning and commitment to the mission of VCU.
  • Joseph A. Marolla, Ph.D., Office of the Vice Provost for Instruction and Student Success, will receive the inaugural President’s Award of Excellence.

  • Albert D. Farrell, Ph.D., Department of Psychology in the College of Humanities and Sciences, will receive the University Award of Excellence.

  • Umesh R. Desai, Ph.D., School of Pharmacy, will receive the Distinguished Scholarship Award.

  • Jurgen Venitz, M.D., Ph.D., School of Pharmacy, will receive the Distinguished Teaching Award.

  • John N. Clore, M.D., School of Medicine, will receive the Distinguished Service Award.


In addition, a collection of VCU’s best and brightest students will be recognized as University Student Scholars. These are students who are on track to receive Latin honors when they reach commencement.

A reception follows the ceremony. Those who plan to attend should RSVP to Kathleen Blankenship at blankenshike@vcu.edu or 804-828-5880 by Aug. 14.

Charter buses will be available to transport passengers with a valid VCU ID from the MCV Campus to the Siegel Center. The buses will depart from outside of McGuire Hall, at the corner of 11th and Clay streets, from 7:45 a.m. until 10 a.m. and will carry passengers back to McGuire Hall from 11:15 a.m. until 12:45 p.m.


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