VCU news

By Mary Beth Alford

RICHMOND, Va. – Eleven alumni who have excelled in careers from music to pharmacy will be honored by Virginia Commonwealth University during its annual Founders Day celebration. Hosted by the VCU Alumni Association and the Medical College of Virginia Alumni Association of VCU, the event will begin at 6 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Stuart C. Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St.

This year’s Alumni Stars are:

• Elnora H. Allen, P.T.,
  1973 undergraduate and 1987 graduate in physical therapy from VCU’s Allied Health Professions. While owning and operating the successful Physical Therapy Plus P.C. practice in Richmond, Allen is also active in the community. She established the New Visions, New Ventures organization to help people in need learn business skills to succeed in the work force. She also served on a statewide commission that studied Virginia’s state and local tax structure.

• David G. Baldacci, E.,
  1983 undergraduate alumnus of the College of Humanities and Sciences. A trial lawyer in Washington, D.C., Baldacci has written bestselling novels including Absolute Power and Simple Truth. He and his wife are active in the community, serving as board members of the Library of Virginia, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Virginia Blood Services and the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.

• Gregory George Enas,
  Ph.D., 1982 doctoral graduate of basic health sciences in the School of Medicine. As a biostatistician, Enas worked for 15 years for Eli Lilly & Co., a leader in pharmaceutical sales. While with Lilly, he researched, tested and improved new drugs for serious illnesses, including cancer, Parkinson’s and depression. Enas also has worked with PhRMA, the U.S. pharmaceutical industry’s trade organization, both as chair of the Biostatistics Steering Company and as member of the larger Clinical Steering Company.

• Capt. Earl R. Fox,
  M.D., 1953 graduate of the former Medical College of Virginia. Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, Fox was the last veteran on active duty when he retired last year. After serving in the Navy from 1942-47, Fox attended medical school. In 1975, at age 55, he joined the Coast Guard as a flight surgeon, running medical clinics from New York to North Carolina until his retirement.

• William M. Ginther, B.S., M.S.,
  1969 undergraduate and 1974 graduate degrees in the School of Business. At SunTrust Bank, Ginther leads the bank’s Mid-Atlantic retail business, small business banking and consumer finance groups. A board member of the VCU Alumni Association and the VCU Honors Program Committee, Ginther also has received numerous professional awards, including the "Industry Impact Award" from the Greater Richmond Technology Council.

• Victor L. Goines, M.M.,
  1990 School of the Arts graduate. Since age 8 and growing up in New Orleans, Goines has played the clarinet. His career highlights include performing with Lionel Hampton, Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville. Goines has several solo albums, including "To Those We Love So Dearly," "Joe’s Blues," "Genesis" and his most recent "Sunrise to Midnight." In April, Goines was appointed director of the newly established Jazz Studies Program at the Juilliard School of Music in New York.

• Jane Belk Moncure, B.S.,
  1952 graduate of the School of Education. A teacher for more than 25 years, Moncure also has written books for more than four decades. The author of more than 300 children’s books, Moncure published her first book, Pinny’s Day at Play School, in 1956. In the early 1960s, Moncure helped to establish VCU’s Early Childhood Practicum.

• Carmen R. Nazario, M.S.W.,
  1973 master’s degree from the School of Social Work. While attending college in her native Puerto Rico, Nazario spent her summers helping disadvantaged children and as a caseworker and teacher’s aide in the Head Start Program. She eventually became the local director of her area social services. After marrying and moving to the United States, Nazario has continues to build her career, now serving as the principal deputy assistant secretary for children and families with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

• Rita H. Pickler, R.N., Ph.D.,
  1998 post master’s certificate from the School of Nursing. As a member of VCU’s School of Nursing faculty, Pickler has focused her work on children at risk, including leading outreach trips to Haiti. Pickler continues to return to Haiti at least twice annually to provide medical care and advice on nutrition and pre-natal care.

• Rebecca Parker Snead,
  R. Ph., FASCP, 1985 School of Pharmacy graduate. A executive director of the Virginia Pharmacists Association, Snead builds coalitions and advances pharmacy issues with the Virginia Department of Health, the Medical Society of Virginia and the Virginia Nurses Association. A 1998 recipient of "50 Most Influential People in Pharmacy," given by American Druggist’s, Snead is president-elect of the MCV Alumni Association of VCU.

• William J. Viglione, D.D.S.,
  1972 doctor from the School of Dentistry. Viglione’s numerous honors include fellow of the Virginia Dental Association, fellow of the American College of Dentists and an inclusion in the Who’s Who among Executives and Professionals. He also serves on the boards of the Ronald McDonald House and the Child Partnership Project in Charlottesville, where he operates a private practice.