VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., center, flanked by the 2018 PACME award recipients. From left: Thomas Bannard, Anita Nadal, Corey Boone, Rao, Lauren Griggs, Carlton Goode, and Harold Greenwald, who accepted the award on behalf of the late Jan Chlebowski, Ph.D.
VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., center, flanked by the 2018 PACME award recipients. (Photo by Kevin Morley, University Marketing)

March 1, 2019

VCU seeks nominations for diversity and inclusion awards

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By Tom Gresham

Virginia Commonwealth President Michael Rao, Ph.D., is inviting the university community to submit nominations for the Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment, which honor individuals or organizations who have made major contributions to enhancing VCU’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Nominations can be submitted through March 8 for the annual awards. This year will mark the 25th class of PACME recipients. The awards will be presented on April 23 at 3 p.m. in the Richmond Salons of the University Student Commons. 

“Please help to recognize the members of our community who create a more inclusive community by nominating a deserving individual or organization at VCU for the PACME award,” Rao said. “The creation of a more diverse and inclusive educational community can only be achieved through a concerted effort that engages the participation of a broad and diverse community of people.” 

To recognize members of the university community for outstanding service, four separate awards are given:

- Academic and Administrative Leadership Award (includes administrators, directors and university organizations)

- Faculty Award (includes teaching, research and adjunct faculty)

- Staff Award (includes classified, hourly and part-time staff, and university and academic professionals)

- Student Award (includes graduate and undergraduate students, post-docs and student organizations)

Each award winner will receive $500. In addition, one of the four recipients will be selected to receive the capstone award — The Riese-Melton. This special award is given for contributions made in advancing cross-cultural relations. The awardee will receive an additional $250 gift.

The Riese-Melton Award is named for two pathfinders in VCU’s history. Walter J. Riese, M.D., a former professor of neurology and psychiatry who championed the rights of African-American employees during a time when it was unpopular to take that stand. One of those employees was Herman Melton, who worked at the medical center for more than 50 years. The award serves as a reminder of individuals who created a culture of diversity at VCU.

Nominations should be submitted electronically. Instructions and the nomination form can be found at https://president.vcu.edu/nominations/pacme/.