VCU awards 1,500 degrees to fall graduates

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth University today awarded degrees to more than 1,500 graduate, undergraduate and professional students who completed their studies in August and December of this year.

A full cap and gown ceremony, the second fall commencement in the history of VCU, was held at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.  In addition to the conferring of degrees, VCU’s highest honor, the Presidential Medallion, was presented to two individuals for their significant contributions to the university:

• John E. Jones, M.D., former VCU vice president for health sciences and special assistant to the president, was recognized for leading strategic planning during the 1990’s that culminated in the establishment of the VCU Health System in 2000.  Dr. Jones’ work significantly enhanced academic programs and research in health sciences and secured the future of the patient care mission at VCU.

• Dr. H. George White, Jr., former rector of the VCU board of visitors and member of the VCU Health System board of directors, was recognized for significant contributions to policy and strategies designed to protect the future of VCU’s mission in health sciences teaching, research and patient care.

Fall Class of 2002 statistics:

• 29 percent represent minority groups

• 66 percent are women

• 30 different countries represented

• 27 states plus Washington, D.C. represented

List of graduates by school or department:

Academic Affairs—2

Allied Health Professions—82

School of the Arts—184

School of Business—322

College of Humanities and Sciences—456

School of Dentistry—9

School of Education—181

School of Engineering—59

Graduate Studies—3

School of Medicine—48

School of Nursing—162

School of Pharmacy—9

School of Social Work—42

Total of August and December Graduates: 1559