VCU news

By Linda Williams
VCU Communications and Public Relations

Peers, past recipients and award finalists recognized Deborah Weir as the 2010 winner of the Dorris Douglas Budd award at a ceremony on Oct. 5. Weir is an administrative professional in the School of Medicine’s Office of the Dean.

Weir graciously noted that she could not perform her duties as skillfully without the support of her team and said how pleased she was that her office had faith in her.

Indeed, VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., who presented the awards to Weir and this year’s finalists, said this award is one of the most important to celebrate because of the critical part it plays in service excellence. Rao said the university and health system’s staffs are the backbone of VCU’s commitment to be one of the most efficient universities.

Established in 1981, the Dorris Douglas Budd award is named for a VCU secretary to the vice president of administration from 1951 to 1981. Budd, who died in 2009 at the age of 90, inspired the award, which honors outstanding administrative and support staff who demonstrate exemplary performance and enhance the image and mission of the university and health system.

This year’s nominees were Veda Bellamy, VCU Alumni Relations; Curt Blankenship, VCU Department of Music; June Givens, VCUHS Endoscopy; Elizabeth "Jo" Hancock, VCUHS Guest Services; Sharon Johnson, VCU Libraries; Yvonne Jones, VCU Business Services; Mary Ann Ryan, VCU Department of Psychology; Virginia Schmitz, VCU Department of English; Sharon Smith, VCU Undergraduate Admissions; Cheri Stickels, VCU Finance & Administration; Brenda Sullivan, VCU Real Estate Program; Carolyn Wells, VCU Health Administration; and Sylvia Wright, VCU Counseling Services.