VCU Showcases University-Community Partnerships Through “40 Acts of Caring”

By Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University will recognize the ongoing efforts of faculty, staff, students and alumni in serving the community as part of the university’s 40th anniversary celebration. 

The "40 Acts of Caring" awards presentation will recognize university participants and their community partners as part of a university-wide celebration program at the Stuart C. Siegel Center on Friday, Oct. 24, beginning at noon.

“This is a way of honoring the unique legacy of the university of using its resources to reach out and respond to the community’s challenges,” said Catherine Howard, Ph.D., vice provost of the Division of Community Engagement. 

A committee of VCU’s Council for Community Engagement selected the “40 Acts of Caring” from nominations submitted by representatives of the Monroe Park and MCV campuses. The 40 projects represent 22 units and include volunteer and community-service projects, community-based research, and service-learning projects.  

“The 40 Acts of Caring initiative recognizes the role of faculty in connecting their teaching and research missions to community needs and acknowledges that VCU staff and students have taken initiative outside of the classroom to make unique contributions in the community – locally, nationally and globally,” said Lynn Pelco, Ph.D., service–learning program director.

One of the “40 Acts of Caring” projects will also be given the “Currents of Change” award during the ceremony, recognizing its significant impact on the community and the depth of participation from faculty and students.

Organizers plan to make recognition of university-community partnerships an annual event.

A list of all 40 projects can be found at http://www.40th.vcu.edu/caring/index.html.