The makeup artist: Turning passion into profession
Christal Davis (B.S.’14/E) started experimenting with makeup as a drama kid in high school. When she came to Virginia Commonwealth University to study health, PE and exercise science in the School of Education, she took a part-time job scooping ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery to help pay for books and other expenses but, she […]
From historian to horticulturist
When John “Ike” Carter Jr. (B.S.’82/H&S) graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University, he faced a job market with few opportunities for newly minted history majors. So he got innovative and turned to his past experience working for nurseries and maintaining landscapes at Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown to cultivate a new career path. When did you start […]
Ride-booking platform transports patients to doctors
Ankit Mathur (B.S.’03/B; M.B.A.’12/B; M.S.’13/B) wants to get you to the doctor. In particular, he wants everyone to have transportation to the doctor. A three-time Virginia Commonwealth University alumnus who’s devoted his career to building software systems and improving inefficiencies, Mathur is co-founder and chief technology officer of RoundTrip, a startup that connects people to reliable medical […]
A Blooming Business
Former teacher Deanna King blossoms as a flower shop owner As a teacher, Deanna King (B.A.’94/H&S; M.T.’97/E) found herself looking to fill her summers off with something creative and colorful. A gig at Strawberry Fields Flowers & Finds in Richmond, Virginia, turned into an opportunity for King to grow the business she always wanted. As […]
Sweet success
Alumna’s D.C.-based ice cream brand expands to a retail location in Richmond For nearly five years, Ruby Scoops has been dishing up locally sourced, small-batch ice cream at farmers’ markets and events as well as to online sugar shoppers in the Washington, D.C., area. “Our priority is to create happy and sweet memories,” says Ruby […]
Cultural conversations: Alumni provide an important voice in virtual discussions with students
Maeya Bland (left), Cristelle Brown, Jenaé Harrington, Alex Boothe and Anita Nadal The VCU Office of Multicultural Student Affairs sponsored a series of identity-based virtual discussion groups this summer, offering students a safe space to discuss issues related to the social, cultural and political aspects of their identities with supportive peers. A number of alumni […]
VCU Alumni and MCVAA welcome new leaders
New presidents took office this month for both VCU Alumni and the MCV Alumni Association of VCU. Michael D. Whitlow (B.S.’74/MC) leads VCU Alumni’s board of governors, and Bronwyn Burnham (B.S.’89/P), sits at the helm of MCVAA’s board of trustees. Both bring deep connections to VCU and a strong passion to serve their alma mater […]
Riding into a new role
Susan Ross (M.Ed.’74/E) takes the lead as president of the VCU Alumni Riding Rams Although Susan Ross (M.Ed.’74/E) has lived many places in the U.S. and overseas, the Richmond, Virgina, native moved back home six years ago and says this time, it’s for good. She grew up with wheels beneath her feet so it’s no […]
Reunion or not, classes stay current
COVID-19 might be responsible for the cancellation of Reunion Weekend 2020, but it won’t cut the ties that have bound the thousands of friends and classmates whose paths first crossed on the MCV Campus.
Follow-up Q&A with Leigh Anne Hylton Gravatt, Pharm.D., BCPS
Leigh Anne Hylton Gravatt, Pharm.D., BCPS (Pharm.D.'03/P), associate professor and vice chair of education in the Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science in the VCU School of Pharmacy, joined us on Facebook Live March 24 to answer questions from alumni about COVID-19, infectious disease and social distancing.