Alumni Spotlight: Rosalind Battle Jennings (B.S.’81)
When Rosalind Battle Jennings told her high school guidance counselor how much she loved science, they handed her a brochure for Virginia Commonwealth University. Rosalind excitedly flipped to the courses in the biology department; she knew VCU was the place for her, and she went on to become an award-winning teacher. Now retired, she plays a key role in the VCU Alumni Hampton Roads Chapter.
Meet Rosalind and learn why she stays connected with VCU Alumni.
What do you do professionally? How did VCU prepare you for what you do and who you are today?
My time in the Department of Biology was the first step toward a long and impactful career as a science educator. I am so thankful and grateful for my VCU education. During my 32 years of teaching earth science in the Chesapeake public school system, I was chosen as Teacher of The Year for Crestwood Junior High School and Oscar Smith High School. I was the Mid-Atlantic Region Runner-Up for Excellence in Teaching Award by the National Council of Negro Women and received the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers Award.
What do you like about participating in the Hampton Roads chapter? What are you looking forward to this year?
What excites me is connecting with other VCU alumni. The love and pride for VCU is always evident when we come together. I am looking forward to more opportunities for the chapter to serve the community and to strengthen the connections of area alumni among each other and to VCU.
You play a huge role in the annual women’s tea. What do you love about that event?
The Hampton Roads Chapter will host our third annual VCU Ladies & Sisters Tea at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at The Greenbrier Country Club in Chesapeake, Virginia. I serve as the chairperson of the VCU Ladies & Sisters Tea. Our tea events are always held in March to commemorate Women’s History Month. All the women arrive in beautiful dresses with fancy hats to enjoy tea, sandwiches, desserts, games, door prizes and more. The event invites women to pause during their busy day to share words of encouragement to sustain, inspire, strengthen and uplift each other over a cup of tea. We leave feeling special, energized, enthusiastic and happy from having spent time smiling, laughing and having fun with each other.
Why should alumni stay connected with VCU?
VCU alumni connections open doors to networking and career opportunities. Maintaining alumni engagement supports future generations of VCU students. We want our alumni to develop a sense of love and pride for VCU that will inspire them to give back financially on a regular basis or make VCU one of their beneficiaries. We want all alumni to feel a sense of home, duty or responsibility when they attend, support and volunteer at VCU activities or events. We also want alumni to reach out to other alumni to get them involved and to keep them informed about what’s happening at VCU and in the Hampton Roads Chapter.
There’s more than one way to stay in touch!
Hampton Roads Chapter Facebook | Hampton Roads Chapter Instagram | Volunteer VCU
Categories Alumni