VCU news

Edmund F. Ackell, M.D., D.M.D., who led VCU as president from 1978 to 1990, died last week at the age of 88.

As the university’s third president, Ackell is credited with helping the university during a critical phase of its development. VCU was just 10 years old at the beginning of his tenure, having been formed in 1968 through the merger of Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia.

Ackell was the first VCU president to have experience in the field of health care – in addition to his background in education and administration. VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., said that Ackell served as VCU’s leader during a “transformational era” for the university.

“VCU would not be the major public research institution it is today without the leadership and vision of Edmund Ackell,” Rao said. “He embodied the vision of VCU as one university, and he worked tirelessly to integrate what are now the Monroe Park and MCV campuses.”

Ackell’s contributions include leading a major overhaul of the university’s governance system and administrative structure, instituting a new system for both short-range and long-range university planning, playing an active role in faculty leadership by establishing faculty convocation and a new set of faculty tenure and promotion guidelines, and establishing greater access to the community by supporting the use of the university’s research and educational resources to meet social needs.

In 2004, VCU dedicated the Edmund F. Ackell Residence Center on the Monroe Park Campus in Ackell’s honor. The building is located at 1100 W. Broad St. A portrait of Ackell hangs in the residence center’s lobby.

“Dr. Ackell laid much of the groundwork that we have continued to build upon and which now serves to distinguish us as a leading urban university,” said VCU President Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., at the building’s dedication. “He guided Virginia Commonwealth University during an important era of transition and growth.”

After three years in the U.S. Naval Reserves, Ackell received his Bachelor of Science degree from Holy Cross College in 1949. He received his degree in dentistry from Tufts University in 1953, and his medical degree at Case-Western Reserve University in 1962. Before coming to VCU, he served as vice president for health affairs and special assistant for governmental affairs at the University of Southern California.

 

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