Service Awards Honor Employee Commitment

By Eric Peters

Before the first sellout crowd ever entered the Siegel Center for a basketball game, before the first student ever studied in Cabell Library, before Virginia Commonwealth University even existed, a young man walked into the Medical College of Virginia’s Dooley Hospital for his first day of work as a research technician.

Today, all that remains of Dooley Hospital is a small archway dwarfed on most sides by high-rise hospital and research buildings, MCV long ago merged with its neighbor to the west to create one of the top urban research universities in the country, and the research technician, John Jackson, is celebrating 50 years of service to VCU and its predecessors.

Jackson, who worked his way up to shift supervisor of the hemostasis lab, now works part-time in the lab analyzing blood smears.

“It’s hard to appreciate all the change over the years unless you’ve been here,” he said, citing not only VCU’s growth, but the advancements he’s seen in technology. “The instruments are different now, but the blood cells have not changed.”

Many of the employees who have seen the changes Jackson has – and many who have a long way to go before arriving at their 50^th year of service – were honored this month at VCU and VCU Health System’s 41^st annual service awards ceremonies.

During three receptions, VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., recognized Jackson – the lone 50-year employee – along with five 45-year employees, 40 40-year employees, 71 35-year employees, 100 30-year employees and 1,936 25-, 20-, 15-, 10- and five-year employees.

Rao thanked awardees at each reception for their dedication and the work they have achieved, encouraging each to continue to “focus on excellence in everything you do, so that our students excel and so that VCU remains a force in the world for saving and improving lives.”

50 Years of Service John Jackson, hematology 45 Years of Service Alma Jones, Newborn Intensive Care Susan Goins, School of Education-Dean’s Office Grace E. Harris, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Alma Jones, Newborn Intensive Care Richard Vacca, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs

“It’s nice to have an employer that recognizes the service of its employees,” said Ron Corio, instructor in the Global Education Office, who said his 20 years at VCU have been so enjoyable because he loves his work, he loves VCU and he loves Richmond.

Anne Chandler, senior associate dean of the Honors College and 30-year VCU employee, shares the same strong bond with VCU.

“VCU is my home. All three of our children have either taken courses or received degrees/certificates from VCU, and my husband is a graduate of the Ph.D. program in business,” she said. “I am proud of our association and proud of the wonderful students I've worked with as a faculty member, and as an undergraduate and graduate advisor.”

Amid the change Corio, Chandler and their coworkers have seen over the years, Rao said the constant has been VCU’s greatest asset - its dedicated employees.

“I’m looking forward to the next five, 10, 15 and 20 years with you,” he added.

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