May 2020 commencement update
Because of state and federal orders prohibiting large gatherings, I am sorry we cannot honor you in person at commencement next month.
Advancing the human condition
Dear VCU and VCU Health community, Welcome back. I hope the winter break and promise of a new year bring you a sense of energy and enthusiasm. We ended the fall semester by celebrating the graduation of more than 2,000 truly remarkable students, and an ever-rising graduation rate that now exceeds the national average […]
Celebrating VCU Class of 2019
This weekend more than 2,900 graduates were welcomed to the VCU Alumni family. It was a great joy to join their family and friends to celebrate years of work and dedication in today’s universitywide ceremony. Below, is my address to VCU Class of 2019. It’s great to join the Provost, the Board of Visitors, […]
Honoring and thanking veterans for their service to our nation
Today, we pause to honor and thank veterans for their service to our nation. Thanks to them, we are free to educate, create, innovate, and stay true to our mission of improving the human condition. As a place with ties to the military for over 180 years, VCU and VCU Health work to educate and […]
An inspiring start to the new year
Dear VCU community, Welcome back! Our new academic year is off to an inspiring start. I was pleased to join many of you at Ram Camp, Move-In Day, New Student Convocation, and several other events throughout the first week. And already, you have renewed my energy and given me a glimpse of the many ways […]
The vital importance of the humanities
This week in Cleveland, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is convening a conference of Community College-University Partnerships, of which VCU is proud to be a part. I have the pleasure of addressing colleagues from across the nation at a gathering of 2- and 4-year college leaders who understand—and commit to—the inherent value of working together […]
