VCU in Qatar Celebrates Commencement

Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar held its 2013 Commencement Ceremony on May 6 at the Education City Student Center, conferring 39 Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in fashion, graphic, interior design and painting and printmaking and five Master of Fine Arts degrees in design studies. The 12^th Commencement brings the number of VCU in Qatar alumni to 409. VCU in Qatar is the Qatar campus of the VCU School of the Arts. 

“There is much that you can do to contribute to the Qatar National Vision 2030,” said Allyson Vanstone, dean of VCU in Qatar, in her message to the graduating students. “You are prepared to succeed in a global society increasingly defined by communication and design. You are empowered to make a difference in your community, culture and economy. You are the pioneers of a future that can influence change on any scale. You will make the world a better place – more capable, efficient, generous and inclusive.” 

VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., addressed the graduating students during the ceremony. 

“At VCU, we ask our graduates to be leaders in their disciplines and in their communities, to be job creators and not simply job takers,” Rao said. “We ask every alumnus and alumna, whether they studied art or engineering, whether they are from the Mid-Atlantic or the Middle East, to use their education not simply to forge ahead but to forge a path for others. In other words, your education will help you get a job, help diversify your nation’s economy and help you create opportunities for others. That’s a powerful thing.  And that’s because you are part of a research university where innovation means empowering the human capacity.” 

Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani delivered the commencement address to the 44 graduates during the afternoon ceremonies. 

“As a civil servant, I have been honored to continue the work of our ancestors in connecting the past with the present, while building new cultural bridges between East and West,” she said. “Today, it brings me great pleasure to celebrate an important milestone in that journey, a milestone I think of as ‘Made in Qatar’ – a celebration of 44 Doha-educated graduates in the Fine Arts! 

“Made in VCUQatar confirms that our community is driving our nation to new cultural frontiers. We are not only translating ideas, but also making them right here, right now. That difference promises innovation, a unique voice and a vibrant brand. Locals, residents, from near and far, together, we make up a creative community, a community that will continue to grow to new heights, and one in which you can share and lead.” 

During the ceremony, Rao invited Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to the podium to confer upon her the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, VCU’s highest form of recognition. Beverly Warren, Ed.D., Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs at VCU, joined Rao for the the presentation. Vanstone and John C. Doswell II, D.D.S., rector of the VCU Board of Visitors, performed the hooding ceremony. 

Others in attendance included David Prior, Ph.D., executive vice president and provost, Hamad bin Khalifa Universit, and guests from VCU, including Joseph Seipel, dean of the School of the Arts;Douglas Boudinot, Ph.D., dean of Graduate Studies; Susan Roth, senior associate dean of the School of the Arts; Timothy Hulsey, Ph.D., dean of the Honors College; and Stuart Siegel, member of the Board of Visitors, among many others. 

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