February Faculty Features

Aradhana Bela Sood, M.D., chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and medical director of the VCU Virginia Treatment Center for Children
The YWCA of Richmond has named Sood one of the Outstanding Women of 2006 in the category of health and science. Sood, who is a recognized expert in child and adolescent mental health, was selected based on her leadership skills, personal and professional achievement, her impact on the community and her commitment to equality and racial harmony. She serves on a number of state and national committees advocating for children's mental health and is on the board of directors of the Virginia Department of Social Services. She is a well-known teacher and lecturer and has taught a wide range of classes in pediatric psychopharmacology. The honorees will receive their awards at a luncheon on April 21.

Lester Van Winkle, professor emeritus, Department of Sculpture + Extended Media
Van Winkle will be honored in February with the College Art Association’s Distinguished Teaching of Art Award. The honor, which will be presented at the association’s annual conference, rewards both artistic distinction and teaching contributions. Van Winkle, who started teaching at VCU in 1969, is a former chairman of the Department of Sculpture + Extended Media. His sculptures are part of a number of public and private collections, and he has been the recipient of two NEA fellowships.

Elizabeth King, professor, Department of Sculpture + Extended Media
The Kent Gallery in New York is hosting a retrospective of King’s work titled “Studio: Things Found, Things Made,” running from Jan. 12 to Feb. 25. Pieces were selected to demonstrate the sequence by which her works evolve from sculptural objects to film animation to installations that involve sculpture and film together. The exhibit also includes items from King’s studio, including her glass eye collection and her wax studies of facial collections.