VCU news

By Sarah Lepley
VCU Communications and Public Relations

The Carver Area Civic Improvement League honored retiring Virginia Commonwealth University President Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., by planting a tree in his honor.

Along with the kousa dogwood, which was planted Wednesday in the courtyard of the Trani Life Sciences building, the league also presented Trani with a plaque to thank him for his dedication to the Carver-VCU Community partnership.

“Thank you for honoring your commitment to Carver,” league President Charlene Baylor said. “We will continue to thrive because of you.”

The Carver-VCU Partnership is a collaboration between VCU and the adjacent Carver community to create a shared urban environment with a commitment to improving the neighborhood's quality of life, while extending the experience of the community into the classroom and the university. Outreach initiatives include health promotion, community development and educational opportunities for the students of Carver.

The partnership began in 1996 after a meeting with then-league President Barbara Abernathy. At the ceremony, she thanked Trani for his dedication to the improvement of Carver.

“I’m happy Dr. Trani had a listening ear, that he heard us and that he partnered with us to create a bigger and better community,” Abernathy said. “I hope this partnership will continue to flourish and grow.”

Trani said this is only the beginning of the Carver-VCU partnership, and that VCU should strive to work with all the campus’ surrounding neighborhoods.

“I have a modest suggestion,” Trani said. “That VCU put a tree in each of our communities … as a symbol of collaboration.”