VCU news

By Carrie Carroll

Five VCU students will receive a boost on their educational journeys through the Staff Senate’s Virginia’s Caring University Scholarship. The students were presented with their scholarship certificates during an awards ceremony on Sept. 23 in the University Student Commons.

“Education is a gift that none can take away,” said Virginia Commonwealth University Staff Senate president Stacey Garnett. “As you continue your journey, know that is indeed true. Your education will be with you always.”

Scholarship funds were raised through the 10th annual Marquita Aguilar Scholarship Walk-A-Thon held on April 10. The walk-a-thon’s name was changed in 2012 to honor Aguilar, director of the Great Place Initiative for the College of Humanities and Sciences, who founded the event and the scholarship.

Since 2005, the Staff Senate has raised more than $80,000 from the VCU and VCU Health System communities through the walk-a-thon. To be considered, students must be juniors or seniors in financial need with a grade point average of 2.7 or better who can demonstrate past or current community service. A total of 93 students have benefited from the scholarship since its founding.

This year’s recipients are:

• Megan Bray, gender, sexuality and women’s studies, College of the Humanities and Sciences.
  
  
• Corrin Brewer, communication arts, School of the Arts.
  
  
• Fidelia Igwe, African American studies, College of Humanities and Sciences.
  
  
• Lisa Neumann, international studies, College of Humanities and Sciences.
  
  
• Kevin Sinh, physical exercise and education science, College of Humanities and Sciences.

“I’m very thankful to have the opportunity to attend a university that cares about me and my success,” said Fidelia Igwe, scholarship recipient. “I’m grateful that VCU cares enough to create a Caring University Scholarship so I’m able to graduate.”

“One of the key reasons that our students choose to come to VCU is our staff,” said VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., during his keynote speech. “You have established a culture that I think describes your scholarship program – it’s a culture of care, it’s a genuine sense of concern for other human beings and it’s a real commitment to our mission. Our mission of all things is that our students can be successful. I’m so proud of our staff and the things you do, as well as the things you don’t have to do and a good example of this is the $13,600 you raised together for these scholarships.”

The 11th annual Marquita Aguilar Walk-A-Thon is scheduled for April 16, 2015.

 

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