In celebration of Neil Van Pelt’s life
Family and friends of Neil Van Pelt gathered at the VCU School of Pharmacy’s Smith Building on April 5 to celebrate Van Pelt’s life and the creation of a scholarship in his name. Van Pelt, a member of the class of 2012, died last June in a car crash at age 24.
SOP Dean Victor Yanchick expressed appreciation to those attending the reception. “It’s such a sad thing to have Neil taken away so early,” he said, “but he will live on in perpetuity.”
Jermaine Smith, director of college relations and professional recruitment for Rite Aid, represented the national drugstore chain at the reception. Rite Aid, the company for which Van Pelt was working last summer, had jumpstarted the scholarship with a $5,000 gift. Yanchick also thanked Ashley Savage, president of the class of 2012, “who did a tremendous job in rallying her class.” The scholarship endowment now has reached about $15,000 with gifts from a total of more than 60 donors.
Savage said, “This is a celebration, but we really miss Neil. … He was so good and so wonderful.”
Van Pelt’s parents, Barry and Martha, attended the reception along with his sisters, Catherine and Christie. (His brother Jeremy was at home with his 8-month-old son, Daniel.) Also in attendance were Van Pelt’s girlfriend Hillary Hudgins (class of ’12) and her parents, Caroline and Wayne. During the reception, a slideshow tribute by classmate Eleanor Bituin featured photos of Van Pelt at home and at school.
Among the refreshments were rich, dark brownies, one of Van Pelt’s favorites; he often made brownies and brought them in for fellow students. “Neil liked anything you could lick off the spoon,” his mother remarked with a smile.
The first Neil Van Pelt Memorial Scholarship will be awarded in February 2012 to a student who ranks within the top half of his or her class and who has demonstrated outstanding character and dedication to the profession of pharmacy. If you would like to make a donation to the scholarship, please call (804) 828-3016 or e-mail [email protected].
Hillary Hudgins, Wayne Hudgins, Caroline Hudgins and Christie El-Nemr.