VCU news

By Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University will honor a collection of its most dedicated and accomplished alumni at VCU Alumni’s Alumni Volunteer Service Awards celebration.

The awards celebrate alumni who have worked with particular devotion to serve the VCU community. VCU Alumni, an umbrella organization providing coordination and support for an alliance of alumni constituent organizations, presents the awards.

Recipients will be honored Oct. 24 at the Richmond Marriott. Each of the top award recipients will receive a handmade glass medallion featuring the VCU seal. Alumnus Sean Donlon (B.F.A.’ 12/A) crafted the medallion. For more information and to register to attend the event, visit www.vcualumni.org/News/Awards/Alumni-Volunteer-Service-Awards/.

“We’re blessed to boast such an active and dedicated alumni community,” said Gordon McDougall, associate vice president for alumni relations and executive director of the MCV Alumni Association. “These awards are one way that we can demonstrate our appreciation for their continued contributions to VCU.”

This year’s recipients are:

- Mary C. and John Doswell II, D.D.S. (D.D.S.’79/D), winners of the Elaine and W. Baxter Perkinson Jr. and Vickie and Thomas Snead Jr. Alumni Award for Extraordinary Service, awarded to alumni who have shown extraordinary leadership and made outstanding contributions to the university.

- Edward H. Peeples Jr., Ph.D. (B.S. ‘57/E), winner of the inaugural Edward H. Peeples Jr. Award for Social Justice Leadership, which  recognizes Edward Peeples Jr., Ph.D., and honors an alumnus for leadership in humanitarian contributions in combating inequality and social injustice.

- B. Ellen Byrne (B.S. ‘77/P; D.D.S. ’83/D, Ph.D. ’91/M; H.S.’91/D), winner of the VCU Alumni Service Award, awarded to a graduate who has made significant contributions to VCU Alumni (past or present).

- Frank J. Shortall Jr. (B.S. ’96/B), VCU Business Alumni Society, winner of the VCU Alumni Pride Award, awarded to a graduate who has shown outstanding service in one of VCU Alumni’s constituent  organizations.

- Robert A. Almond (B.S. ’74/E; M.Ed. ’85/E) and the Monroe Scholars Book Award Program, winner of the VCU Service Program Award, awarded to a constituent  organization  that has created a successful and innovative program to further the mission of VCU Alumni.

- Timothy Nguyen (B.S. ’11/B), winner of the VCU GOLD Award, awarded to a graduate of the last decade for commitment to the university and to VCU Alumni.

- Daniel J. Metz (B.S. ’14/En), winner of the VCU STAT Award, awarded to a member of STAT (Students Today Alumni Tomorrow) for outstanding leadership and service.

-  Marianne R. Rollings (B.S. ’63/P), MCVAA Outstanding Alumnus Award, presented to a graduate of the MCV Campus who is nationally recognized and acknowledged by leaders in their chosen profession as having made distinguished contributions to health care.

- Patricia B. Bernal (B.S. ’80/N; M.S. ’91/N) and Alvin J. Schalow Jr. (B.S. ’61/P), winners of the MCVAA Hodges-Kay Service Award, presented to a graduate of the MCV Campus in recognition of service to the MCV Alumni Association and participation in the activities of the association, their school and/or the university. The award was created in 1991 and named in appreciation of the dedicated service of longtime volunteers Frances Kay (B.S.N. ‘59/N) and the late Edward Hodges Jr. (D.D.S. ’56/D).