VCU news

By James Irwin

Six distinguished faculty will be recognized for teaching, scholarship and service achievement Wednesday, Aug. 22, at Virginia Commonwealth University’s 36th annual Opening Faculty Address and Convocation.

VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., and Gail Hackett, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs, will preside over the ceremony, which will begin at 3 p.m. at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave.

A glance at the honorees:

Arun J. Sanyal, M.D., professor, School of Medicine   
University Award of Excellence

Sanyal has been funded continuously by the National Institutes of Health for more than 17 years and is a pioneer in developing management for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH) and metabolic syndrome. He has won numerous awards for his research and leadership and earlier this year was selected as one of Virginia’s outstanding scientists.

 

 

Paul H. Wehman, Ph.D., professor, School of Medicine, School of Education
Distinguished Scholarship Award

Wehman is dedicated to the employment of people with physical and intellectual disabilities, and his contributions to special education, vocational rehabilitation and rehabilitation medicine are respected internationally. He has published more than 200 articles and 115 book chapters, and authored or edited 43 books. Wehman also is the founding editor of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation.

 

 

Stephanie Ann Call, M.D., professor, School of Medicine
Distinguished Teaching Award

Call is recognized nationally for her expertise in education innovation, faculty development and teaching. She has received teaching awards from the American College of Physicians and the National Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. At VCU, she has been awarded three departmental Innovation in Teaching awards, as well as numerous departmental Excellence in Teaching awards.

 

 

Blue E. Wooldridge, D.P.A., professor, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
Distinguished Service Award    

Wooldridge, an expert in public and nonprofit finance and social equity, has authored or co-authored more than 150 papers, presentations, professional reports and training modules on topics including public budgeting, revenue management, productivity improvement and public-sector training and education. He received the College of Humanities and Sciences Distinguished Service Award in 1999.

 

 

Tressie McMillan Cottom, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Sociology, College of Humanities and Sciences
Outstanding Early Career Faculty Award

Cottom is the author of the critically acclaimed book “Lower Ed: The Troubling Rise of For-Profit Colleges in the New Economy,” which examines the sobering realities of for-profit colleges and the vulnerable populations to which they cater. She has spoken often about the ramifications of this monetized education model, appearing on NPR and “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.”

 

 

Gretchen M. Brophy, Pharm.D., professor, School of Pharmacy
Outstanding Term Faculty Award

In 22 years at VCU, Brophy has served as a mentor and adviser to many students, residents and fellows. She allows students to attend patient care rounds with her in the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit to gain exposure to clinical pharmacy. Brophy currently serves as president of the Neurocritical Care Society.