VCU to confer 4,332 degrees at commencement

By J. Suzanne Horsley

RICHMOND, Va. – On May 19, Virginia Commonwealth University will award 4,332 professional, graduate and undergraduate degrees during its 2001 Commencement activities. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the Richmond Coliseum, 601 E. Leigh St.

Well-known author and VCU alumnus David Baldacci will deliver the keynote address to this year’s candidates, who will graduate from VCU’s 11 schools, one college and the Center for Public Policy.

"Commencement not only marks a milestone in our graduates’ academic careers, but it also designates the beginning — or in many cases, the advancement — of their professional careers," said VCU President Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D. "This is a time of reflection and celebration of our graduates’ years of hard work and dedication."

A Virginia native, Baldacci has written five best-selling legal and political thrillers, including Absolute Power, Total Control, The Winner, The Simple Truth and Saving Faith. His latest novel, Wish You Well, is about life in Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains during the 1940s. More than 25 million copies of Baldacci’s books — translated into more than 30 languages — are in print worldwide. Baldacci earned his bachelor of arts in political science from VCU and a law degree from the University of Virginia. Prior to becoming a successful writer, he practiced law in Washington, D.C., as a trial and corporate attorney.

Baldacci will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters during the ceremony.

In other Commencement activities, Dr. Trani also will present an honorary doctor of humane letters to White House correspondent Helen Thomas.

The Edward A. Wayne Medal, which recognizes extraordinary service to VCU, will be presented to Bertha C. Rolfe, retired VCU School of Pharmacy faculty member. She will be honored as one of VCU’s and the community’s most important public-service advocates.

Three individuals will receive the Presidential Medallion, which recognizes outstanding contributions by a university community member. The 2001 recipients are Jeffrey Levin, D.D.S., a School of Dentistry alumnus who has been in private practice in Richmond since 1968 and a VCU associate clinical professor since 1993; Regenia A. Perry, Ph.D., one of the nation’s foremost art historians in African and African-American art and culture and former VCU art history professor; and Lauren Albert Woods, Ph.D., M.D., VCU professor emeritus of pharmacology and toxicology and former vice president for Health Sciences.

The university reports the following candidates for degrees:

• College of Humanities and Sciences:

            1,378 candidates for 28 certificates, 1,082 baccalaureate, 239 master's and 29 doctoral degrees.

• Office of Academic Affairs:

            11 candidates for doctoral degrees in the Center for Public Policy.

• School of Allied Health Professions:

            272 candidates for 10 certificates, 75 baccalaureate, 184 master's and three doctoral degrees.

• School of the Arts:

            499 candidates for 429 baccalaureate, 63 master's and seven doctoral degrees.

• School of Business:

            675 candidates for 78 certificates, 431 baccalaureate, 165 master's and one doctoral degree.

• School of Dentistry:

            103 candidates for 16 baccalaureate and 87 professional (D.D.S.) degrees.

• School of Education:

            439 candidates for 13 certificates, 98 baccalaureate, 312 master's and 16 doctoral degrees.

• School of Engineering:

            78 candidates for 68 baccalaureate, eight master's and two doctoral degrees.

• School of Graduate Studies:

            25 candidates for master's degrees.

• School of Medicine:

            288 candidates for 21 certificates, 54 master's, 41 doctoral and 172 professional (M.D.) degrees.

• School of Nursing:

            211 candidates for five certificates, 145 baccalaureate, 56 master's and five doctoral degrees.

• School of Pharmacy:

            108 candidates for three master's, 10 doctoral and 95 professional (Pharm.D.) degrees.

• School of Social Work:

            245 candidates for 29 baccalaureate, 213 master's and three doctoral degrees.