32nd Opening Faculty Address and Convocation set for Aug. 20

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Distinguished Virginia Commonwealth University faculty members and University Student Scholars will be honored during the 32nd Opening Faculty Address and Convocation on Wednesday, Aug. 20, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.

VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., will address faculty at the event and update VCU’s strategic plan, Quest for Distinction. John Wiencek, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Sheldon Retchin, M.D., senior vice president for health sciences and CEO of the VCU Health System, will participate in the ceremony, which recognizes faculty members who have distinguished themselves and the university through their commitment to teaching, scholarship, service and overall excellence.

This year’s faculty awards and recipients are:

·  Robert L. Balster, Ph.D., School of Medicine; Eugene Hunt, Ph.D., School of Business; and James H. Revere Jr., D.D.S., School of Dentistry, will receive the Presidential Medallion, which is awarded for extraordinary achievement in learning and commitment to the mission of VCU.

·  Brian Ohlinger, retired associate vice president for Facilities Management, will receive the President’s Award of Excellence.

·  Tom De Haven, M.F.A., College of Humanities and Sciences, will receive the University Award of Excellence.

·  Mark A McHugh, Ph.D., School of Engineering, will receive the Distinguished Scholarship Award.

·  Reni Gower, M.F. A., School of the Arts, will receive the Distinguished Teaching Award.

·  Marc P. Posner, M.D., School of Medicine, will receive the Distinguished Service Award.

In addition, a collection of VCU’s best and brightest students will be recognized as University Student Scholars. These are students who are on track to receive Latin honors when they reach commencement.

A reception follows the ceremony. Those who plan to attend should RSVP to Kathleen Blankenship at blankenshike@vcu.edu or 804-828-5880 by Aug. 15.

 

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