Reid tells VCU graduates to rely on strength of character in tackling 21st century challenges

By Mike Porter

During May commencement ceremonies today, Tim Reid told Virginia Commonwealth University’s newest graduates to rely on strength of character in facing the challenges of the 21st century.

Reid is an Emmy-nominated actor, director and producer. His New Millennium Studios in Petersburg, Va. has produced documentaries and television programs depicting the lives of African descendants who have shaped the United States.

“You are the generation upon whose shoulders fall the immediate challenge to usher in, create and manage the structure which will be needed to live peacefully and justly in the 21st century,” said Reid, who has appeared in television roles for more than three decades, including his role as Venus Flytrap on “WKRP in Cincinnati,” and appearances on “Simon & Simon,” “Frank’s Place,” “Sister, Sister” and, most recently, “Treme.”

“Good or bad, for richer or poorer, it will be your character that guides your life – that predicts your fate. Not just your life at work, or your life at leisure, or how many Facebook friends you have, but the life of your dreams,” Reid said.

Students received professional, graduate and undergraduate degrees at the ceremony at the Richmond Coliseum. In all, 4,500 degrees were awarded.

VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., told graduates they are now part of a legacy at VCU.

“And I know we can count on you to continue our university’s commitment to excellence in every way,” Rao said. “I know you will seize every opportunity to use your VCU education to make a difference in the world, to advance the human experience and to understand things no one has ever understood before.”

Reid was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, VCU’s highest form of recognition.

The Edward A. Wayne Medal, established in 1971 to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions or provided exemplary service to VCU, was bestowed on John C. Doswell II, D.D.S, and his wife Mary. John Doswell has served on the VCU Board of Visitors, including serving as rector from 2013-14; the MCV Alumni Association of VCU board, including serving as president from 1997-99; and the MCV Foundation Board of Trustees in 1998 and as the foundation’s chair in July 2008. Mary Doswell is a governor appointee to the Virginia Offshore Wind Authority and the Virginia BioTechnology Research Partnership Authority. She serves on several boards, including the VCU School of Engineering Foundation and Venture Richmond, where she is vice chairman.

The Edward A. Wayne Medal also was bestowed on Tom and Vickie Snead, who both graduated from the VCU School of Business in 1976. As co-chairs of the Campaign for VCU, they helped pave the way for the most extensive capital campaign in VCU’s history. Vickie Snead is a member of the VCU Alumni board, the Massey Cancer Center Advisory Board and the VCU Athletics Advisory Board. Tom Snead is a founding trustee of the VCU School of Business Foundation and served a full term on the VCU Board of Visitors, where he also served as vice rector and rector. In 2007, for their extensive service to their alma mater, the Board of Visitors named the new VCU School of Business building in their honor.

The Presidential Medallion was awarded to Harold F. Young, M.D., who joined VCU as professor of neurosurgery in the School of Medicine in 1976 and became the founding chair of the Department of Neurosurgery. He is credited with creating a surgical team that is among the nation’s leading head-trauma programs and leads a department that has generated more than $25 million in sponsored research from the National Institutes of Health.

 

Social media highlights from the day’s festivities have been collected at storify.com/VCU/vcu-commencement-2014, and a video of the complete ceremony is available on YouTube.