VCU honors faculty and staff with service award reception

By Linda Williams
VCU Communications and Public Relations

VCU will hold its 34th annual service award reception on Thursday, Oct. 27, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Larrick Center on the MCV Campus.

VCU’s Service Awards program was created in 1972 to recognize employees for their years of commitment to the institution’s teaching, research, service and patient-care mission. This annual program honors as many as 1,500 VCU and VCU Health System faculty and staff.

Recipients with five to 10 years of service receive service award pins. Recipients with 15 or more years of service can select either a service award pin or a gift. Most gifts are mailed directly to recipients’ home addresses.

This year’s milestone gift was created by VCU alumnus Janet Smith. Ms. Smith has created a 22-inch-high by 12-inch-wide stained glass mirror in VCU shades of gold and black, constructed in Tiffany's copper foil technique.

The mirror is on display in the Lindsey House at 600 W. Franklin St. (Monroe Park Campus) and in the first-floor lobby of Main Hospital at 1250 E. Marshall St. (MCV Campus).

Recipients who cannot attend the reception on Oct. 27 can pick up their pins on either Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Lindsey House or on Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Main Hospital in room 1-422.

For a complete list of recipients go to http://www.hr.vcu.edu/reward/2005_Service_Awards_Alpha.html. 

Jerome Barrett
45 Years
Jerome began his career with the then-Medical College of Virginia in September of 1960. He worked throughout the hospital until he became a permanent employee of the rehab unit in the North hospital. The most rewarding part of his job is helping patients and meeting new people.

He has been a witness to and participant in much of the recent history of the hospital and most notable, he says, was the racial integration of the hospitals in the 1960s. He is also grateful for the advances in educational opportunities for African-Americans since he has been employed.

During his off hours, he pursues his love of music as a professional musician. He has played with local talent and internationally known stars such as Otis Redding and Gladys Knight. 

James Pollock
45 Years
James A. “Jimmy” Pollock has spent his career in facilities management. He has worked as an electrician, the electrical foreman for the in-house renovation department and a superintendent. Since 1991, he has been a project inspector for the Construction Management Department. Jimmy has worked on projects on both campuses, but Sanger Hall is his second home.

His co-workers describe him as dedicated and always on the job. Architects, contractors and other staff always compliment Jimmy and his work. He is the Facilities Management resource for information.

During his off hours, he enjoys spending time with his grandchildren. He’s a proud grandpa.

Frank Winckler
45 Years
Frank Winckler started working in 1960 with the Division of Animal Resources. He then moved to Pharmacology & Toxicology to work with large primates. Having grown up on a farm, he was comfortable with large animals. It was through his work that he met his wife of 27 years, Ramona, who also works for the department.

Mr. Winckler approaches every research study as a learning process in order to gain new knowledge about drugs and their power. He says: “If I had to do it all over again, I would do it in a minute!” He cherishes his lifelong relationships with both doctors and staff during his 45 years with VCU and is grateful that he has always been trusted to do his job. He feels good about what he has contributed to VCU and medical science.

He plans to continue working and enjoys bowling in his spare time. 

Bernice Eaton
40 Years
In 1964, Bernice Eaton started working at what was then the Medical College of Virginia. At first, she held a variety of nurse’s aide positions.

After several years, Ms. Eaton was promoted to receptionist and then secretary in the Department of General Psychiatry, the position she held throughout the remainder of her career. She appreciated the opportunities to grow and learn during her time here.

Many changes have taken place over the years. At one time, she recalls being in the midst of so much construction on the MCV campus that when stepped off her own floor, she didn’t always know where she was going.

Ms. Eaton retired in 2000, stayed home for about six weeks, and then returned to part-time work at VCU. In her spare time, she loves to travel, shop and cook.

Shirley Kelsaw
40 Years
Shirley Kelsaw has enjoyed working in the Clinical Research Center (CRC) during her 40-year tenure at the Health System. In preparing lunches and dinners for patients, she welcomed and enjoyed the many opportunities to learn new things. One of those skills involved learning how to properly weigh food portions.

She describes the CRC as “a wonderful place to work” both in terms of her duties and her co-workers. She credits her bosses, Dr. John Clore and Ms. Karen Newman, with creating this atmosphere of camaraderie.

When asked what she plans to do in retirement, Ms. Kelsaw said she hoped to continue working! She said, “It’s hard to give up something that you love to do.” She would like to work part time, which would allow her more time to spend on something else she loves – dancing. She’s also looking forward to spending more time with friends as they plan bus trips to interesting places.

Dianne Zupo
40 Years
In May 1964, Dianne began working at what was then the Medical College of Virginia as a keypunch operator in the computer center, which was located in E.G. Williams Hospital. After a year, she was promoted to supervisor of the data-entry group. Throughout her years at VCU, she worked in payroll, human resources, general accounting, FRS production control, and procurement and payment.

In looking back at 40 years with the university, she says: “It was exciting and often very challenging, to be a part of the ever changing technology that has taken place. From keypunch machines, to input terminals, to desktop computer, and laptops — even working from home — major advancements were made, and I was privileged to be a part of many system changes along the way.”

She retired this summer and now spends time with her husband and three grandchildren.

Ed Coffman
40 Years
Ed Coffman grew up in the small town of West Point, Va. After graduating from high school in West Point he went to work at the local paper mill where other members of his family including his father worked. Through encouragement from his family and fellow employees, Ed decided to attend college thus beginning his long-term journey at VCU.

Earning both undergraduate and master's degrees from VCU, Ed began teaching accounting here in 1966. He left the university in 1968 to pursue his doctorate at George Washington University. He returned to his teaching position at VCU in 1970, and he has been a dedicated and loyal member of the accounting faculty for 40 years.

During his years at VCU, Ed has witnessed many changes in the university’s physical structure. The opening of the School of Business building in 1972 provided one of the first opportunities for the business faculty to teach and be housed together in one location. He has enjoyed seeing the institution grow and develop into a major comprehensive university that is highly regarded locally, as well as throughout the country. Today’s student body, as in the past, still consists of many first-generation college students, just as he was when he started his education at VCU in 1962.

Ed continues to teach at VCU with no immediate plans to retire. While he sees no distinct boundaries between work and leisure, he admits to enjoying the opportunity to travel, read, and spend time with family and friends. 

Gladys Burruss
40 Years
Ms. Burruss came to the Virginia Treatment Center as an 18-year-old and has spent her entire 40 years there. “They took a chance on me and I gave them my best,” she says. Feeling great pride for the responsibility she was given, she is quick to add: “I should have paid them instead of them paying me.”

She has seen many changes in the program and the institution over the years. Even so, these changes have not dimmed her love for the important work she does.

Early on, she recalls an ease in relating to many of the children because she was so close to some of their ages. A grandmother now, she still connects with her charges and is happy that her efforts have helped continue to make a difference in their lives.

Now working the night shift, she credits her husband of 36 years with being a great support system. 

Erna Gill
40 Years
Mrs. Gill was hired as one of the first child care technicians at the Virginia Treatment Center (VTCC). While she never expected to remain at the VTCC for over 40 years, Mrs. Gill has always enjoyed working with the “little ones,” as she fondly calls them.

Among many other tasks, child-care duties in those days also included arts and crafts activities and outings in Capitol Square Park. She even took the children sleigh riding. Her on-the-job training was a real help in raising her daughter who was a teenager when she first began working there.

She also recalls training another of this year’s 40-year Service Award recipients, Ms. Gladys Burruss. Other bright moments in her long career include seeing many of the students who worked there later become medical doctors.

Mrs. Gill officially retired in March of 1988 but continues to work part time at the VTCC.

Linda Tillman
40 Years
In 1964, Linda Tillman began employment with what was then the Richmond Professional Institute (RPI). In those early years, she moved progressively from support staff positions to that of personnel officer at what ultimately became Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).

Since 1971, Linda has been a major force behind the Service Award Program, serving as its chair. Described as “the heart of service awards,” Linda has witnessed many program changes over the years that have included different types of recognition ceremonies. She also saw development of the Dorris Douglas Budd Award and credits Mrs. Budd, the award’s namesake, with providing encouragement in her early days at RPI. Among her more recent VCU duties, Linda co-chaired the university’s Combined Virginia Campaign (CVC) and worked as a human resource generalist.

After 40 years of service to VCU, Linda retired this summer and now spends her days traveling with her husband. 

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Louise Robertson
40 Years
Dr. Robertson came to MCV in the fall of 1956 as a medical school student. She was educated by a family practice scholarship and served both her residency and fellowships at MCV.

She has been primarily a teacher throughout her career. She established an outreach program for pediatric cardiology and has served as a patient advocate in clinics for indigent patient care. She continues to run a clinic once a week for children and adult congenital heart disease patients. She believes that education about risk factors is very important and will continue teaching health education locally. She enjoys her work and considers it a privilege.

Her other interests include playing the piano and singing in the choir.