VCU to confer 2,700 degrees at spring commencement

By Mary Beth Alford

RICHMOND, Va. – On May 18, Virginia Commonwealth University will award 2,700 professional, graduate and undergraduate degrees during its 2002 commencement activities. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the Richmond Coliseum, 601 E. Leigh St. During VCU’s first fall commencement in December, 1,721 degrees also were conferred.

James Burke, well-known producer and director, will deliver the keynote address to this year’s candidates, who will graduate from VCU’s 10 schools, one college and the Center for Public Policy.

"Commencement not only marks a milestone in our graduates’ academic careers, but it also designates the beginning — or in many cases, the advancement — of their professional careers," said VCU President Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D. "This is a time of reflection and celebration of our graduates’ years of hard work and dedication."

Burke started his broadcasting work on Italian radio and as interpreter to the B'Nai Brith representative at Vatican II and then moved into television, first as a reporter for the United Kingdom’s Granada TV in its Rome bureau. Burke became a director, producer, lecturer and best-selling author. He has been called "one of the most intriguing minds in the world" by the Washington Post, and his work is on the curriculum of universities and schools across the United States.

Burke is a frequent keynote speaker on the subject of technology and social change to audiences such as NASA, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, IBM, Microsoft, U.S. government agencies and the World Affairs Council. He also wrote a monthly column for Scientific American. His most recent TV work is the 10-hour technology history series for The Learning Channel called "Connections3." He currently is working on an interactive knowledge system, which he hopes to introduce to the educational curriculum by late 2003.

Edward A. Wayne Medals, which recognize extraordinary service to VCU, will be presented to Jim and Martha Betts, posthumously; Inger V. Rice; James and Charlotte Roberts, and C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright, who recently donated $10.5 million to VCU’s School of Engineering. Jim and Martha Betts established the Metastatic Cancer Research Fund at Massey Cancer Center. Mrs. Rice pledged 342 acres on the James River in support of the new life sciences initiative, and James Roberts is head of the Teresa Thomas Foundation as well as a member of the Board of Trustees of the MCV Foundation.

Two individuals will receive the Presidential Medallion, which recognizes outstanding contributions by a university community member. The 2002 recipients are Clarence L. Townes, Jr. and Jay M. Weinberg, both former members of VCU’s Board of Visitors.