VCU Voices
VCU Voices is a biweekly webcast hosted by Jay Davenport, CFRE, vice president of Development and Alumni Relations. In this series, Jay introduces VCU leadership, noteworthy alumni, students and friends to the VCU community through one-on-one conversations.
Joseph T. DiPiro, Pharm.D., dean and Archie O. McCalley Chair in the School of Pharmacy and associate vice president for health sciences – faculty affairs, discusses how the school’s specialized facilities put it at the forefront in pharmacy, pharmaceutics and medicinal chemistry education and research.
B. Frank Gupton, Ph.D. (Ph.D.’00/H&S), and Eric Edwards, Ph.D., M.D. (B.S.’02/H&S; Ph.D.’11/P; M.D.’13/M), discuss how they’re working to manufacture and distribute America's most essential medicines at risk of shortage, including medicines for the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Robert A. Winn, M.D., director and Lipman Chair in Oncology, VCU Massey Cancer Center, and senior associate dean for cancer innovation and professor of pulmonary disease and critical care medicine, VCU School of Medicine, shares his experience as a first-generation college student, how Massey is rewriting history and how his passion for hip-hop music translates to leadership.
Scott Breuninger, Ph.D., dean of the VCU Honors College, shares his passion for studying intellectual history, his commitment to increasing equitable opportunities for all students and his experience skiing in the Swiss Alps.
Barbara D. Boyan, Ph.D., Alice T. and William H. Goodwin, Jr. Dean of the College of Engineering, discusses the college’s growth and expansion, its commitment to supporting women in STEM and how the new Engineering Research Building enhances student collaboration across campus.
Michael Rao, Ph.D., president of VCU and VCU Health System, shares how VCU continues to collaborate as part of One VCU: Responsible Together, his reflections on the 10-year anniversary of the Rams historic run to the NCAA Final Four, how student needs in higher education have changed over time and his personal love of gardening and swimming.
Carmenita D. Higginbotham, Ph.D., dean of the VCU School of the Arts, discusses the intersection of contemporary culture through the arts, the opening of the new Arts and Innovation Building and how she got a black belt in Taekwondo.
Dominic Asmall Willdson, Ph.D., executive director of the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU and associate professor of art education, talks about the ICA’s focus on educating and caring for communities, the recent launch of key digital initiatives and creating personal connections through art.
Arthur L. Kellermann, M.D., senior vice president of VCU Health Sciences and CEO of VCU Health System, shares what drew him to Richmond, how the university continues to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and the time he was dared to wrestle a bear.
Ed McLaughlin, vice president and director of athletics, shares his perspective on navigating the challenges of COVID-19, how college athletics has changed and what VCU Athletics fans can look forward to in the future.
Gail Hackett, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, shares her fondest memories during her time at VCU, her post-retirement plans and the work that still needs to be done.
Matthew Conrad, executive director of government and board relations, and Karah Gunther (M.H.A.’09/HP), executive director of government relations and health policy, discuss the role of government relations at VCU, building on key partnerships and hosting the first lady.
In the second episode of VCU Voices, Jennifer Malat, Ph.D., dean of the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences, talks about the challenges and opportunities of remote learning, nurturing students’ passions and her favorite way to vacation.
In the first episode of VCU Voices, Daniel Bullard, Ph.D., dean of the VCU Graduate School, talks about the national trends he envisions for graduate schools, how he finds inspiration and what sport he’s played since childhood.