VCU to confer 4,200 degrees at commencement

By Michael Ford
University News Services

RICHMOND, Va. — On May 13, Virginia Commonwealth University will award more than 4,200 professional, graduate and undergraduate degrees during its 2000 Commencement activities. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the Richmond Coliseum, 601 E. Leigh St.

U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D., will deliver the keynote address to this year’s candidates, who will graduate from VCU’s 11 schools and one college, as well as several specialty centers.

"Commencement marks an exciting crossroads for our graduates, as they reflect on their VCU experience and prepare for the challenges ahead in both their lives and careers," VCU President Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., said. "This first ceremony of the new millennium truly represents a celebration of our graduates’ many years of hard work and dedication."

Sworn in on Feb. 13, 1998, Dr. Satcher is the 16^th United States Surgeon General and the nation’s leading spokesman for public health. Dr. Satcher is only the second person in history to simultaneously hold the positions of surgeon general and assistant secretary for health. In these positions, Satcher serves as senior advisor to the secretary of health and human services on public-health matters and directs the Office of Public Health and Science, striving to educate, motivate and mobilize the American public to advance the equality of the nations’s health and health care.

After his address, Dr. Satcher will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters from the university.

In other Commencement activities, Dr. Trani also will present an honorary degree to John M. Templeton, Jr., M.D., for his leadership in pediatric surgery.

The Edward A. Wayne Medal, which recognizes extraordinary service to VCU, will be presented to Harry and Harriet Grandis, local real estate developers and civic volunteers, and Percy Wootton, M.D., an alumnus and current member of the VCU board of visitors.

Four individuals will be honored with the Presidential Medallion which recognizes outstanding contributions by a university community member. The 2000 recipients are Walter A. Lawrence, Jr., M.D., professor emeritus, founding director and director emeritus of the Massey Cancer Center at VCU; Richard Newdick, professor emeritus of theater and former department chairman; W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr., D.D.S., a 1970 alumnus and member of the university board of visitors; and Z. Reno Vlahcevic, M.D., chairman of the division of gastroenterology at VCU’s MCV Hospitals and Charles Caravati professor of medicine.

The university reports the following candidates for degrees:

• College of Humanities and Sciences: 1,229 candidates for five certificates, 970 baccalaureate, 223 master’s and 31 doctoral degrees.
• Office of Academic Affairs: 14 candidates for doctoral degrees.
• School of Allied Health Professions: 266 candidates for 12 certificates, 81 baccalaureate, 164 master’s and nine doctoral degrees.
• School of Business: 656 candidates for 103 certificates, 413 baccalaureate, 137 master’s and three doctoral degrees.
• School of Dentistry: 96 candidates for 16 baccalaureate 80 professional (D.D.S.) degrees.
• School of Education: 405 candidates for two certificates, 91 baccalaureate, 305 master’s and seven doctoral degrees.
• School of Engineering: 63 candidates for 51 baccalaureate, 10 master’s and two doctoral degrees.
• School of Graduate Studies: 22 candidates for 22 master’s degrees.
• School of Medicine: 306 candidates for 30 certificates, 70 master’s, 41 doctoral and 165 professional (M.D.) degree.
• School of Nursing: 249 candidates for 10 certificates, 164 baccalaureate, 71 master’s and four doctoral degrees.
• School of Pharmacy: 102 candidates for three master’s, five doctoral and 94 professional (Pharm. D.) degrees.
• School of Social Work: 273 candidates for 36 baccalaureate, 234 master’s and three doctoral degrees.
• School of The Arts: 526 candidates for 451 baccalaureate, 71 master’s and four doctoral degrees.