Rhodes Named VCU Rector

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley
Division of University Relations

Anne J.G. “Panny” Rhodes today begins her term as rector of the Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors, succeeding Thomas Rosenthal.

Rhodes has served as a member of the VCU Board of Visitors since 2003, when she was appointed to her first term by Gov. Mark Warner. She was reappointed to the board in 2007 by Gov. Tim Kaine. She recently has served as the board’s chair of the Finance, Investment and Property Committee, member of the Student Affairs Committee and member of the Executive Committee. Rhodes also is a founding Trustee of the VCU School of Engineering Foundation. 

"This is a special time in VCU's history as the university is poised to build on a strong foundation built by long-time president Eugene Trani," Rhodes said. "I'm looking forward to working with our new president, Michael Rao, and with my outstanding colleagues on the Board of Visitors to continue VCU's momentum and progress as a great university."

Rhodes served in the Virginia House of Delegates representing the 68th District from 1991 to 2001. Prior to her election, Rhodes was an associate engineer in the Nuclear Division of the Martin Company and a research analyst for Resource Management Corporation. She also has taught high school math in both public and private schools. 

In addition to her legislative activities, Rhodes has a long history of community service. She has served as chair of the Community Foundation, the Metropolitan Business Foundation and the United Way Services board. She also has served on the boards of Richmond Sportsbackers, Richmond Eye and Ear Hospital, the Virginia Chapter of the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse, Leadership Metro Richmond, Elk Hill Farm and the Council of Foundations.

Rhodes was named the 1998 Legislator of the Year by the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and received a YWCA of Richmond Outstanding Women award in 1990.

Rhodes was an Angier B. Duke Scholar at Duke University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.