Rodney Harry dies; former president of the VCU AAAC led expansion, left lasting legacy
Rodney A. Harry (B.S.’90/H&S), former president of VCU Alumni’s African American Alumni Council, died Oct. 12 from complications related to diabetes. He was 56. A Petersburg, Virginia, native and 1983 graduate of Petersburg High School, Harry dedicated much of his life to serving others, including eight years as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps […]
Alumni Biz Spotlight: Perk! Coffee & Lunchbox
Christophile Konstas (B.F.A.’00/A) and Elizabeth Ellen (B.F.A.’00/A) were randomly assigned as roommates at VCU, which led to a lifelong friendship and, eventually, a business partnership. The idea first germinated as they chatted over endless cups of coffee in between art classes, way before the third-wave coffee scene of today. After moving away from Richmond (then […]
Immersing herself in art
Christine Stoddard (B.A.’12/A; B.A.’12/H&S; Cert.’12/B), can’t be defined by one form of expression. The multitalented artist and writer’s new feature film, “Sirena’s Gallery,” tells the story of a Salvadoran American art gallery owner, played by Stoddard, who has to adapt to self-isolation, visions and navigating the world of e-commerce in the wake of her husband’s […]
Alumni Biz Spotlight: Studio 4 Dance
Alumna Deandra Clarke(B.S.’02/H&S) started dancing at VCU. A non traditional student of the art form, she found herself in love with the opportunity to try something new. As a radio broadcasting major she learned the skills necessary to become a professional in LA and then start her own Agency and Studio back in Richmond. How […]
Book report sparks alumna’s lifelong passion for puppetry
Presenting a book report in front of her fifth-grade classmates was the “most horrible, terrifying thing I could imagine as a new student.” Heidi Rugg’s (B.I.S.’21/UC) family had just moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia, when the then 10-year-old was tasked with preparing an oral presentation on a biography. While at the library selecting her book, […]
Connect 4 Summer
Do you need some fresh ideas for staying active this summer while connecting with VCU and your city? Whether you live in Richmond, Virginia, or Riverside, California, VCU Alumni offers a summer bucket list, four weeks of exciting opportunities for you to get active in your area, starting July 12. The list below includes in-person […]
A shop worth checking out
Alumnus-owned indie bookstore in Baltimore doubles as a community hub Located in Baltimore’s historic Pigtown neighborhood, Charm City Books offers the quintessential quirkiness and warm personal service indie bookstores are known for but also doubles as a community hub. “Pigtown doesn’t have a lot of retail locations but has a really vibrant population and a […]
Sowing success
Savvy gardener plants the seeds for a blooming business Alex Little (B.S.’14/B) was working at the Neighborhood Resource Center in Richmond, Virginia, running their garden program and working with children on garden education, when a volunteer asked if she wanted to start a gardening business. She took a leap of faith, and thanks to her […]
Need an angel investor?
Alumna Bethann Kassman, D.B.A., shares what it takes to get that check As co-founder and chairman of the board of Go-Beyond AG in Zurich and co-founder and CEO of Go Beyond Network in Naples, Florida, both angel investment companies, Bethann Kassman, D.B.A. (M.S.W.’74/SW), funds the dreams of entrepreneurs, allowing their businesses to grow wings and […]
Alumni globe-trotters offer tips for traveling on a budget
As more people begin to eye safe opportunities for travel, VCU Alumni offers the webinar Adulting 101: Traveling on a Budget from 4- 5 p.m. May 18, where you can learn how to stretch your travel budget from experienced alumni globe-trotters. The event kicks off with a mixology demo by alumni-owned Belle Isle Moonshine. Register […]