VCU Presents Inaugural Alumni Volunteer Service Awards

By Leila Ugincius and Megan Schmidt

Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao and the VCU and MCV Alumni Associations will present the first Alumni Volunteer Service Awards during an inaugural ceremony on Friday, Nov. 2, at 6:30 p.m. at the Richmond Marriott Hotel, 500 E. Broad St. The ceremony is open to the community.

The awards honor VCU alumni and friends in recognition of their outstanding volunteer service to the university.

This year’s awardees are: 

• VCU STAT (Students Today Alumni Tomorrow) Award: Alexandra McDougall, Class of 2013, College of Humanities and Sciences' Department of Psychology, for service hours contributed to STAT (Students Today Alumni Tomorrow), leadership and for serving as a role model to her peers.
• VCU GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Award: Yesenia C. Villalta (B.S.W.’11/Social Work) for outstanding service to VCU, the alumni association or constituent organization.
• VCU Pride Award: Paula B. Saxby, Ph.D. (M.S. ’85/Nursing; Ph.D. ‘92/Nursing), for outstanding service in constituent organization and for finding creative ways to support her alma mater.
• VCU Outstanding Service Program Award: Joseph E. Becht Jr. (M.B.A ’80/Business) and Edward Robinson Jr. (B.G.S. ’00; M.S.W.'03/Social Work) for creating a successful and innovative program that furthers the mission of the alumni association.
• Alumni Association Award: Corinne F. Dorsey (B.S. ’65/Nursing) and Jon B. Hill (B.S. ’8/Business; M.B.A. ’99/Business; M.S.'12/Business) for exceptional service to the alumni association through volunteer support during their lifetime or since the founding of the organization.

In addition, the Elaine and W. Baxter Perkinson Jr. and Vickie and Thomas Snead Jr. Alumni Award for Exemplary Service will be awarded to its namesakes, Elaine and W. Baxter Perkinson Jr. (D.D.S'70/Dentistry) and Vickie (B.S.’76/Business) and Thomas Snead Jr. (B.S.’76/Business).

The evening will begin with a cocktail buffet beginning at 5:30 p.m. For more details about the event and to register to attend, visit www.vcu-mcvalumni.org/awards2012 or call 804-828-7020.