Chronicle of Giving | Spring/Summer 2008

MCV Foundation: Serving the MCV Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University since 1949

Spring/Summer 2008

MCV Foundation’s Mission is to inspire and steward philanthropy throughout the MCV Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University.

Chartered in 1949, the MCV Foundation works in partnership with alumni and friends of MCV Schools, Hospitals and the Massey Cancer Center.

We support the institution in its quest: To preserve and restore health To seek the cause and cure of diseases To educate those who would serve humanity Through your donations, the MCV Foundation is an integral support to the dedicated teachers, clinicians, researchers and students whose efforts place the MCV Campus among the world’s leading academic medical centers providing technically superb and compassionate care to patients.

mr.philanthropy, a.k.a

Charles G.Thalhimer Charles G. Thalhimer, retired vice chairman of Thalhimers Department Stores, volunteer and philanthropist, learned early, and learned well, about the symbiotic relationship between a city, its institutions and its citizens. His family’s flagship store, Thalhimers, anchored Richmond’s downtown retail district for over 50 years.

Throughout the city, public parks and museums, charitable organizations, healthcare facilities, and educational and religious institutions are stronger because of Thalhimer’s support.

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form a cancer center Advisory Board and ultimately I became one of the founding members. That was in 1984, and there were 13 of us.”

One of the Board’s primary responsibilities was, and still is, to help raise unrestricted funds for the Center and that has remained Elinor’s central focus.

“Unrestricted funds give Massey the flexibility to respond quickly to areas of greatest need in support of Massey’s research goals,” said Elinor. To encourage unrestricted giving, in 1991 the Massey Club was established. The Club recognizes the generosity of donors who make an unrestricted gift of $1,000 or more each year. Elinor and her second husband, George Marshall, were among the 39 founding members of the Massey Club that initial year. By FY 2007, the Club had 460 members and raised $1,219,000.

Elinor has not missed a year of giving to Massey Club, and thanks to a fund she has recently endowed, she won’t miss any years in the future. Under the terms of the endowment, which she established through the Richmond Jewish Foundation, the interest the fund earns annually will benefit the Massey Club in perpetuity.

“Charity is a personal thing, but if I can inspire others, I will,” said Elinor. “It is easy to procrastinate on making giving decisions, but every day you put it off is a day your dollars could be working for something you care deeply about.”

“Elinor was a vigorous and enthusiastic ‘spark plug’ for

A Lifetime and Beyond of Giving “It is easy to procrastinate on making giving decisions, but every day you put it off is a day your dollars could be working for something you care deeply about.”

our initial Advisory Board and we selected her as a founding member as we knew she would provide unwavering commitment. She has exceeded our expectations in every way and provided extraordinary support of all kinds since the very beginning of the Center,” said Dr. Lawrence. “She has named a room in the Center in memory of her first husband, another room at Stony Point in memory of her parents, served on the Advisory Board for 25 years, and given countless hours to fundraising and other volunteer efforts. She is a true friend.

The world needs more Elinor Bloom Marshalls.”

“My father instilled in me the importance of giving back, and charity is a central tenent of Judaism, not an option but an obligation,” said Elinor. “And plus, giving to others just makes you feel so good!”

When Elinor Bloom Marshall’s first husband, Allan Bloom, became sick with colon cancer in the late 1970s, she asked her oncologist cousin in Maine to recommend a top colon cancer specialist. She and Allan were willing to go wherever was necessary to get the latest, most advanced treatment.

“You have the best right there at MCV in Richmond,” her cousin responded, “and his name is Dr. Walter Lawrence.”

Walter Lawrence, Jr, MD, founding director of Massey Cancer Center, became Allan’s physician and Elinor became one of Massey’s most loyal and committed supporters.

Donors who make provisions “I have been a champion of Massey Cancer Center since before Massey was Massey!” Elinor said. schools, centers and programs “Dr. Lawrence asked me to serve on a committee to

in their estate plans in support of MCV Campus are automatically eligible for membership in

the Medical College of Virginia Society. For more information about the MCV Society and other donor recognition programs on the MCV Campus, please contact Bill Kotti at (804) 828-9734.

“The MCV Campus is the source of so many of the joys in my life.

This is where I received an excellent education, met many of my dearest friends, and enjoyed a challenging, rewarding career. So of course I’m going to support it!”

Kathy Bobbitt

“My family used to joke that the main things I learned growing up in North Carolina were reading, writing and the road to Richmond,” said Katherine (Kathy) C. Bobbitt, EdD. “Looking back, it does seem that way, that I was meant to come here. But I don’t think that we had a notion of the strong roots I’d put down.”

Kathy earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the MCV School of Nursing in 1956. In 1963 she went on to earn her Master of Science degree in psychiatric and mental health nursing from UNC at Chapel Hill. She was awarded a Doctorate of Education with a clinical specialty in adult education from NOVA University in 1987.

Her career at MCV began in 1956 as an ER nurse. It resumed after grad school when she accepted the position of Clinical Nurse Specialist at MCV Hospitals, and continued as faculty of the School of Nursing. She served as Associate Professor with the Department of Community and Psychiatric Nursing until her retirement in 1992.

“No matter where else I went, I just kept getting tugged back to MCV,” she said. “There is a ‘give it all you’ve got’ culture here. The teamwork and patient-centered, interdisciplinary approach just gets in your blood.”

Several years ago, Kathy and three of her fellow nursing faculty, Lorna Barrell, PhD, Gloria Francis, PhD and Barbara Munjas, PhD, decided to establish a fund to honor the many years that they had shared teaching at the School of Nursing. Named The Legacy Lectureship in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, the fund’s purpose is to further the understanding of psychiatric nursing and increase awareness of the inter-relationship of mental and physical health in achieving patient outcomes. The fund has attracted gifts from more than 75 additional School of Nursing benefactors.

Kathy’s initial contribution to the fund took the form of a Charitable Gift Annuity.

“This was an ideal planned giving arrangement for me,” said Kathy.

“The investment in the fund continues to grow, supporting its purpose.

The annuity generates a fixed income, which I, in turn, donate back to the fund, assuring me of a steady level of support of the School of Nursing over my lifetime, and when I die the total annuity will go to the fund.

The added benefit is that by giving annually, I qualify for the Sadie Heath Cabaniss Society, which is another way to stay connected with other alumni and friends of the school.”

The Sadie Heath Cabaniss Society recognizes contributors who make annual financial gifts of $250 or more to support the mission of the VCU School of Nursing.

Kathy’s involvement with the MCV Campus extends well beyond the School of Nursing. She has served on the MCV Foundation Board of Trustees since 1992, is an active member of the MCV Alumni Association, and has held leadership positions in numerous University committees and community healthcare organizations.

“There is no way that I could ever give back to the MCV Campus as much as it has given to me. I have had the privilege of participating in the growth of the University and the School of Nursing, to work with many dedicated, caring colleagues. I’ve been in an environment where knowledge and compassion are highly valued. And I’ve helped prepare young nurses for the challenges of their profession, and then see them achieve their goals.

It’s no wonder that I’ve loved this place since my first day of nursing school, and still do today.”

Honoring the ties that bind: Fa The Holcomb Clinic for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the VCU School of Dentistry is a very busy place. In 2007 more than 8,000 patients visited the clinic for treatment of a wide range of conditions, defects, injuries and esthetic aspects of the mouth, teeth, jaws and face.

Newly renovated and dedicated in 2003, the clinic features state-of-the-art technology in a safe, comfortable outpatient environment.

Raymond Holcomb, DDS, the clinic’s namesake, would be amazed and proud of the work being done there according to Kathryn (Kay) Holcomb Clary, the late Dr. Holcomb’s daughter.

“My father was an MCV School of Dentistry graduate,” said Kay. “He was very appreciative of the education he got at MCV. It prepared him for a long and successful practice in general dentistry and oral surgery, a career he was absolutely devoted to. He remained a loyal alumnus of MCV all of his life.”

Several years ago, Kay met with Ronald Hunt, DDS, dean of the School of Dentistry, to discuss a way she could honor her father’s memory with a gift to the school.

“A gift naming the new oral surgery clinic was just the right fit. My father built a wonderful practice based on hard work, surgical skills, and the ability to let his patients know they were special to him,” said Kay. “Our hope is that many more young dentists will learn to serve their communities as he did.”

“Kay is one of those rare individuals who goes quietly through life doing good things for others,” said Dr. Hunt. “Her tribute to her father is a fine example of her caring spirit. Countless numbers of Holcomb Clinic patients, as well as our students, are benefiting from her generosity, and many more will continue to do so far into the future.”

Dr. Holcomb graduated from MCV School of Dentistry in 1940, and stayed on as an intern in oral surgery. He then set up his practice in Fredericksburg, Virginia, but in March 1942, returned to MCV to join the 45th General Hospital to serve in World War II. He served with the unit in North Africa and Italy, and then transferred to the Army Air Corps. After the war he returned to Fredericksburg where he practiced for 40 years.

He and his wife, Margaret, were civic leaders, giving liberally of their time, talents and resources to their community.

The 45th General Hospital During World War I, a decision was made to organize a Red Cross Hospital in Richmond. Dr. Stuart McGuire, Chair of Surgery, helped plan the unit, which was comprised of people primarily from MCV. Dr. McGuire became its director and the unit became Base Hospital No. 45.

The unit went to France, and served not just as a base hospital, but also as a triage and evacuation hospital.

Within two weeks of a major United States offensive in September 1918, 8,000 casualties arrived. The mortality rate was one of the lowest of any of the military hospitals of that time. Dr. McGuire was awarded the French Medal of Honor as well as the Distinguished Service Cross from the U. S. Government.

When World War II was imminent, the federal government again commissioned individual university and large private hospitals to establish military hospitals. Dr. McGuire was asked to reorganize Base Hospital No. 45 as the 45th General Hospital, but due to age and poor health he asked Dr. Carrington Williams to take over. The surgical services were organized into General Surgery and other services under the overall leadership of Dr. Guy Horsley.

The unit, which was staffed by a large number of MCV physicians, dentists and nurses, served with distinction in North Africa and Italy.

Kay Clary’s father, Dr. Raymond Holcomb (D’40), and father-in-law, Dr. Beverley B. Clary (M’39), were among them.

amily, Community, Alma Mater “The MCV Campus is the heart of Richmond.

By giving to its schools and centers, we are supporting not only excellence in healthcare, but the vitality of our city as well.” Brenda Eggleston Brenda Eggleston has close ties to VCU, on both the MCV and the Monroe Park campus. She and her husband, Tom, are alums. Both of their children are currently attending VCU. Mary Butler will graduate with a degree in biology this year, and David earned his B. A. in history, and is enrolled in the M. A. program in history.

David’s wife, Seanna, graduated from MCV’s School of Nursing, and is employed there on the Wound Care Team.

“We appreciate VCU for so many reasons,” said Brenda. “It has given our children an excellent education, increasing their chances to be successful. The professors are equally encouraging to young people and adult students. And we have received superb care at the VCU Medical Center.”

“The impact that the University has had on the City of Richmond is remarkable,” she continued. “Deteriorated areas have been reclaimed and made beautiful.

I believe that VCU is playing a major role in the Richmond area regaining its stature as a great place to live, work or visit.”

Brenda knows of what she speaks. She is a native of the area, as were her parents.

“I’ve lived here all my life and it has been a very, very fortunate life.

My father, Cecil Hopkins, was a wonderful person, the driving force in our family. He was a self-made man, a hard worker, loving, kind and very grounded. He kept our feet on the ground, too. After he died in 2000, we established the Cecil R. and Edna S. Hopkins Family Foundation. We wanted to honor him, let others know what a very special man he was. I hope he would be very happy with our family’s decisions to direct some of the Foundation’s funds to medical research, education and patient care on the MCV Campus. Also, the MCV Campus is the heart of Richmond. By giving to its schools and centers, we are supporting not only excellence in healthcare, but the vitality of our city as well.”

The Hopkins Family Foundation and individuals in the Hopkins and Eggleston families have given generously to the Massey Cancer Center, Becky’s Healing Garden, the Pauley Heart Center and the Division of Urology.

“We are so grateful for the support of Brenda Eggleston and her family,” said George Vetrovec, MD, chief of the Division of Cardiology, Pauley Heart Center. “They have first-hand experience with the VCU Medical Center’s physicians and staff, so it is doubly meaningful to have their confidence and trust. Their support will help us continue to provide superior care to all of our patients.”

“When something has touched your life, like cancer or heart disease, it becomes especially important to you,” said Brenda. “To be able to express those feelings by giving is a humbling experience. It makes you so thankful that you can give, that you have that opportunity.”

Connor Goodwin thinks he’s a pretty lucky guy. He’s free of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a cancer he was diagnosed with when he was not quite two years old.

And through Connor’s Heroes Foundation, he gets to help other childhood cancer patients and their families.

Connor’s treatment, which extended over 2-1/2 years, was provided by a multidisciplinary team of professionals, both inpatient and at the ASK Pediatric HematologyOncology Clinic in the VCU Children’s Medical Center. About 400 patients, ranging from infants to adolescents, are treated each year at the VCU ASK clinic.

“We were fortunate,” said Lisa Goodwin, Connor’s mother. “Not only did we have the specialized care for Connor right here at VCU Children’s Medical Center, but we also had the resources, friends and relatives nearby that could help us cope. Many families do not have such good support systems.

Our desire to help those families prompted the formation of a foundation focused on fighting childhood cancer.”

“We named it Connor’s Heroes Foundation in honor of Connor’s brave struggle through treatment, and as a way of saluting the friends and family, doctors and nurses who are the heroes in his life. We hope to help others be heroes in the lives of children with cancer and their families.”

Connor’s Heroes is comprised of volunteers, parents of children with cancer, and other individuals and companies who want to conquer childhood cancer through direct assistance, awareness, and fundraising. The foundation provides assistance to children and their families who are being treated for cancer at VCU Children’s Medical Center, including the ASK Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic and the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit.

Connor’s Heroes’ first program, launched in 2006, is called Heroes Bags and Backpacks. It provides backpacks and tote bags to families with a child who is being treated for cancer at the VCU Children’s Medical Center. The contents of the bags and backpacks are intended to relieve some of the strain and stress during this difficult time in these family’s lives.

Conquering Childhood Cancer Thanks to broad community support, Connor’s Heroes has expanded to include several other programs.

Computers for Children with Cancer provides desktop or laptop computers to patients so they can keep up with schoolwork and stay connected to friends and family.

The Bone Marrow Transplant Unit Support Program assists pediatric patients on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the Massey Cancer Center by

decorating the rooms before the patient arrives, providing gifts on the day of transplant and the day the patient returns home, and by arranging for volunteers to visit with the patient so that the mother and/or father can have time to be with their other children.

Connor knows the importance of sharing his parents. He said, “When I was in treatment, my parents had to spend a lot of time with me. Now that I’m well, they can spend more time with my

sister, too. I want that for all childhood cancer families.”

Connor’s Heroes’ most recent endeavor is the establishment of the Pediatric Cancer Research Endowment Fund in the Department of Pediatrics at the VCU School of Medicine and VCU Massey Cancer Center. The fund will be utilized exclusively to support pediatric cancer research with the ultimate goal of recruiting a nationally recognized pediatric cancer researcher to VCU.

The MCV Society is comprised of individuals who share a vision of excellence for the MCV Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. Through their thoughtful consideration, society members are helping to advance superior patient care, medical education and research. The MCV Foundation created the Society to recognize and extend gratitude to those who have made estate plans in support of any of the MCV Campus schools, centers or hospitals. The Society now has more than 400 members.

Mr. Henry W. Addington P‘51 Ms. Jenni Aerni N‘73 Dr. William H. Allison D‘57 Dr. Bruce A. Baber M‘57 Mr. Theodore C. Babinsky Dr. David L. Ballard D‘50 Dr. Betsy A. Bampton N‘60 Drs. Lorna Mill and Robert Barrell Mr. Stephen L. Barrett P‘77 Dr. Richard N. Baylor M‘46 Dr. and Mrs. Wyatt S. Beazley III M‘61 Mr. Richard H. Beckham Dr. Calvin L. Belkov D‘57 Mrs. Helen S. Birch N‘47 Dr. Wilsie S. Bishop N‘70 Dr. Erika M. Blanton Dr. Katherine C. Bobbitt N‘56 Miss Martha C. Booker N‘67 Mrs. Kay K. Borden N‘68 Dr. Robert R. Bowen M‘56 Mrs. Helga Boyan Dr. Barbara S. Brown AHP‘70 Ms. Barbara S. Brown Dr. Peter W. Brown Dr. Charles D. Burch, III M‘54 Mrs. Bronwyn McDaniels Burnham P‘89 Dr. Richard P. Burruss, Jr. M‘83 Dr. Joseph V. Califano D‘84 Dr. Ruth W. Campbell M‘57 Dr. Elizabeth R. Carmichael M‘57 Ms. Anne G. Carpenter Dr. Catherine S. Casey M‘74 Mrs. Bernardine A. Clarke N‘75 Dr. and Mrs. Richard M. Clary M‘74 Mrs. Polly Cole Dr. Waverly M. Cole M‘54 Dr. Toni Marie Collado D‘86 Dr. William A. Cook, Jr. M‘51 Dr. John L. Corey D‘58 Ms. Maleda Tate Cox N‘61 Mr. and Mrs. Walter W. Craigie Dr. Beauty D. and Mr. George L. Crummette N‘58 Mr. and Mrs. John R. Curtis, Jr. Dr. G. Curtis Dailey Mr. and Mrs. Norwood H. Davis, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Rufus Marion DeHart, Jr. M‘65 Dr. Walter H. Dickey D‘44 Dr. John C. Doswell II D‘79 Mr. Michael B. Dowdy Dr. William L. Driskill, Jr. M‘54 Dr. David E. M. Drucker Dr. George Drucker Dr. Barbara H. Dunn N‘70 Ms. Joan E. Eanes N‘44 Mr. and Mrs. Carl F. Emswiller, Jr. P‘62 Dr. Russell D. Evett M‘57 Mrs. Ann M. Fenton Dr. and Mrs. Albert A. Fratrick M‘58 Dr. Arthur B. Frazier M‘55 Dr. William N. Friedman D‘62 Dr. Eleanor H. and Mr. Roy L. Garrett N‘60 Dr. and Mrs. Frederick T. Given, Jr. M‘53 Dr. Robert A. Goldschmidt and Ms. Debbi Nierenberg Mr. Donald S. Good AHP‘64 Dr. and Mrs. John A. Goodno, Jr. M‘55 Dr. and Mrs. T. Winston Gouldin Dr. Lazar J. Greenfield Mrs. Dianne H. Griffith N‘79 Dr. Walter L. Grubb, Jr. M‘61 Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hackett Dr. William J. Hagood, Jr. M‘43 Dr. Robert F. Harman D‘60 Mrs. Hazel and Mr. Leonard Harris N‘45 Dr. Louis S. Harris Dr. Robert D. Harris M‘70 Mrs. Sharolyn B. Heatwole N‘70 Prof. Virginia E. Hench Dr. JoAnne K. Henry Dr. Ernest C. Hermann M‘53 Dr. Roger Lew Hiatt Mrs. Jane C. Higgins Dr. and Mrs. Douglass O. Hill, Sr. M‘47 Dr. Gary S. Hoffman M‘71 Dr. William E. Holland M‘62 Mrs. Margaret A. Hukill AHP‘49 Mrs. Phyllis A. Hussey Mrs. Adah S. Jaffer Mr. Kenneth F. Johnson Mrs. Gail W. Johnson N‘67 Ms. Cynia A. Katsorelos N‘58 Mrs. Janice E. Keitz N‘79 Mrs. Martha McCarty Kimmerling Mrs. Nathalie L. Klaus Dr. Joseph B. Kohen, Jr. M‘55

Ms. Kathleen Sue Kwentus N‘86 Mrs. Carole A. Lainof N‘67 Mrs. Phyllis L. Lane Rev. Robert B. Lantz AHP‘64 Mr. Bruce E. Large P‘57 Ms. Ruth M. Latimer AHP‘52 Ms. S. S. Laughon Dr. and Mrs. Walter Lawrence, Jr. Dr. Jeffrey Levin D‘68 Dr. and Mrs. Edward L. Lilly M‘68 Dr. David L. Litchfield M‘58 Dr. William Bruce Lundeen M‘55 Ms. Laura G. Majeskey N‘87 Dr. Bonnie G. Mani Mr. and Mrs. Steven A. Markel Mrs. Elinor Bloom Marshall Dr. N. Rudolph Mauney, Jr. M‘72 Mr. Harold E. Maurer Dr. Nancy L. McCain Mrs. William H. McCall Dr. Howard M. McCue, Jr. M‘41 Dr. Benson McCutcheon M‘52 Ms. Susan McMakin Dr. and Mrs. Francis H. McMullan M‘51 Dr. and Mrs. Michael O. McMunn D‘77 Dr. Patricia R. McQuade-Koors M‘71 Dr. and Mrs. Austin I. Mehrhof, Jr. Ms. Dorothy F. Meyer Drs. Charles D. and Roberta L. Miller Mr. Roy A. Moon P‘50 Mrs. Anne Tucker Moore Dr. French H. Moore, Jr. D‘60 Dr. Steven C. Moreland Dr. and Mrs. Perry D. Mowbray, Jr. D‘71 Ms. Elizabeth A. Moyer AHP‘71 Dr. Mary A. Mrdeza M‘82 Mr. and Mrs. Edwin A. Myrick P‘50 Dr. Walter E. Nance and Ms. Mayna MacKinnon Dr. James P. Neifeld Mrs. Katherine S. Newby Mr. Michael E. Nuckols Dr. Alva N. Osteen Mr. John L. Patterson Dr. Karl E. Peace M‘76 Ms. Sharon C. Larkins-Pederson and Mr. Edson Pederson Dr. Donald F. Perkins M‘65 Dr. and Mrs. W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr. D‘70 Dr. John F. Philips D‘69 Mrs. Margaret S. Phillips Mr. Ronald W. Phillips Dr. Michael J. Pollak M‘68 The Hon. Edward A. Powell, Jr. and Mrs. Diane Linen Powell Ms. Judith Price N‘85 Dr. Preston P. Purdum, III M‘84 Dr. and Mrs. Richard C. Rashid M‘62 Dr. J. Marvin Reynolds D‘51 Dr. Louise W. Robertson M‘60 Mr. Roger A. and Mrs. Donna L. Robertson AHP‘77 Mr. Richard T. Robertson Bertha C. and Norman Rolfe P‘47 Dr. Michele A. and Mr. Donald J. Romano M‘84/AHP‘73 Dr. Stephen J. and Mrs. Leslie A. Ronan P‘95 Ms. Vickie L. Ruch N‘74 Dr. Leroy S. Safian M‘43 Dr. and Mrs. C. Lester Salmon, Jr. M‘43 Dr. Lisa Marie Samaha D‘77 Dr. J. C. Moller Sanford M‘53 Mr. and Mrs. Julian D. Sanger Dr. Mohamadi A. Sarkar P‘90 Dr. S. Larry Schlesinger M‘71 Drs. Hugo R. and Edith E. Seibel Dr. Peder M. Shea M‘74 Mr. Nelson L. Showalter P‘67 Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Singleton Ms. Ann Steigleder N‘48 Mr. Harry Stein Dr. John D. Stephens D‘51 Mr. Henry F. Stern Dr. Carol W. Stevens D‘86 Ms. V. Patricia Story The Honorable Walter A. Stosch Mrs. Evalyn W. Strause Dr. Clarence W. Taylor, Jr. M‘55 Mrs. Ora Lee F. Taylor N‘53 Mr. Joseph M. Teefey and Ms. Judith B. Collins N‘75 Mr. Charles G. Thalhimer Ms. Emily M. B. Thomas N‘76 Mrs. Dorothy Knowles Thomson N‘34 Dr. and Mrs. Eugene P. Trani Mrs. June H. Turnage N‘59

Mrs. Ernestine G. Turner N‘57 Dr. Richard J. Unger M‘81 The Honorable Carolyn C. Wake Mrs. Shirley Van Epps Waple Mrs. Barbara Farley White Dr. Eugene V. White P‘50 Dr. and Mrs. James L. White M‘62 Dr. Kenneth R. White N/AHP‘96 Mrs. Laura L. White N‘48 Dr. and Mrs. Claiborne G. Whitworth, III M‘55 Dr. Vivian M. Wilkerson M‘58 Dr. Lucien S. Wilkins and Ms. Freda Barry Hartness M‘67 Mr. and Mrs. E. Carlton Wilton Dr. and Mrs. Robert B. Woodhull M‘36 Dr. and Mrs. Lauren A. Woods Mr. and Mrs. C. Kenneth Wright Dr. Reuben B. Young P‘53/M‘57 56 Members have asked to remain anonymous Deceased Members Mr. Richard F. Abbitt Mrs. Sarah M. Adams N‘41 Mrs. Vida Bailey N‘21 Mrs. Freeda D. Ballard Ms. Louise Barefoot Miss C. Virginia Besson N‘22 Mr. James F. Betts Mr. William J. Birch Mr. Charles J. Blair, Jr. Dr. James L. Blanton Dr. C. Paul Boyan Miss Elizabeth Brantley Mr. Maurice L. Brickhouse Mr. Vernon C. Brunelle Ms. Clarice Brooks Bryant Ms. Flora Belle Bryington Dr. and Mrs. Robert Carl Bunts M‘31 Mr. Lindsay W. Butler P‘22 Dr. G. Edward Calvert M‘47 Dr. Charles M. Caravati M‘22 Mr. O. B. Carter, Jr. Ms. Ruth S. Cassell Dr. James P. Charlton M‘55 Dr. Beverley B. Clary M‘39 Ms. Gladys C. Coleman Mrs. Mary P. Coleman Mrs. Phyllis A. Coleman Mr. W. T. Coleman Ms. Sarah H. Cooke N‘39 Dr. William S. Dosher P‘24/M‘30 Ms. Eveylin C. Doss Ms. Florence S. Duffy Mr. Wilmoth Booth Edmundson Ms. Florence E. Elliott Mr. Richard D. Ernsberger Mrs. E. Paris Ewart N‘30 Dr. George E. Ewart M‘42 Dr. E. Raymond Fenton M‘30 Dr. Guy R. Fisher M‘12 Mr. Russell H. Fiske, Sr. Dr. Paul Fitzgerald, Jr. D‘43 Dr. Mildred B. Forman M‘34 Mrs. Fleta H. Friel Dr. R. Ashton Gay D‘23 Dr. Ragnit Geeraets M‘68 Dr. Walter Jean Geeraets Mr. James F. Gerlack Mr. Arthur Glasgow Mrs. Margaret Branch Glasgow Mrs. Lorena Lawrence Glenn Ms. Patricia W. Gottschall N‘66 Miss E. Louise Grant Mr. W. W. Gray P‘38 Dr. Zachary T. Gray, III D‘57 Ms. Clara S. Grunwald Mrs. Lucile S. Gudger Mr. Richard J. Gunst Ms. Marianna S. Hamilton Mrs. Mayme Wilson Lacy Harris N‘40 Mr. Eugene C. Harrison Ms. Miriam E. S. Hart Dr. W. Tyler Haynes D‘26 Dr. Belmont A. Helsabeck M‘31 Mrs. Louise B. Herndon Mr. Laurance H. Higgins Mr. Edward S. Hirschler Ms. Kitty G. Hirsh Dr. Randolph H. Hoge Ms. Mary M. Holtzclaw Mrs. Edna N. Hooker N‘23 Dr. Raymond C. Hooker, Sr. Dr. William H. Hoskins M‘31 Dr. Julius C. Hulcher

Ms. Cathy A. James N ‘85/‘95 Honorable John Ambler Jamison Dr. Thomas H. Jennings M‘51 Mrs. Dorothy G. Johnson Mrs. F. Rita Kaslow Mr. Herbert Kaslow Dr. Harold W. Kimmerling M‘53 Dr. C. Sidney King M‘46 Dr. Henry J. King M‘57 Ms. Mattielene T. King Ms. Alice Lyons Kirk Mr. Philip W. Klaus, Sr. Dr. Alfred Koerner M‘28 Dr. and Mrs. Carl W. LaFratta M‘31 Dr. William E. Laupus Mr. and Mrs. Linwood S. Leavitt P‘41 Dr. Sanford L. Lefcoe D‘48 Mr. E. H. Lester Ms. Anne S. Levey Mr. Jack D. Lewis Mr. Eric M. Lipman Dr. Walter Lorenz Mr. Frank Loveall Mrs. Leona Jane Low Mrs. Elizabeth A. Lowance Dr. Herman Joseph Lukeman M‘31 Dr. Lewis C. Lush M‘26 Dr. Harry Lyons D‘23 Mr. and Mrs. John A. Mapp Mrs. Judith E. Marsella-Gonzales N‘70 Dr. William H. McCall M‘38 Mr. and Mrs. Alex W. McClay Dr. Carolyn Moore McCue M‘41 Dr. Johnnie A. McCullough Dr. Eugene M. McDaniel, Jr. M‘62 Dr. Richard A. Michaux M‘37 Dr. Cyril R. Mirmelstein D‘42 Dr. Willys M. Monroe Mrs. Gladys DeWitt Moon Mrs. Anne H. Moore N‘11 Dr. French H. Moore, Sr. D‘22 Mr. John P. Moore Mrs. Emily M. Morton D‘26 Dr. Norborne F. Muir D‘18 Dr. Orhan Muren Dr. Edward Myers D‘26 Dr. Kinloch Nelson Mrs. Alice Deford Nelson Dr. William E. Newby D‘51 Ms. Evelyn R. Nice N‘86 Ms.Goldie F. Nicholas Mr. Moses D. Nunnally, Jr. Dr. Paul J. Nutter M‘38 Dr. Jane Page M‘41 Ms. Amelia Deekens Pendleton Dr. E. W. Perkins M‘33 Mrs. Faye L. Peters N‘52 Ms. Pauline R. Phipps Dr. Woodrow W. Poss D‘50 Mr. Joseph Lock Presbrey, Jr. Dr. Willard Pushkin M‘39 Mr. Robert M. Raab Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Ramsburg Mrs. Catherine Grinnan Ritter Mr. R. Reginald Rooke P‘21 Dr. Frank E. Rowell M‘53 Mrs. Sabra S. Russell N‘31 Mr. Stephen Sarres Mr. George E. Schlosser P‘24 Dr. Bruce A. Schorr M‘67 Dr. Herbert L. Schwartz D‘48 Mrs. Kathryn E. Schwarzschild Ms. Lucie T. Simmons Mrs. Dorothy O. Smith Ms. Maria D. Staley Dr. Sommers D. Stancell D‘35 Ms. Marguerite Moses Stanley Mrs. Florence W. Steiner Mrs. Marian W. Stocker Mrs. Margaret B. Stokes N‘44 Ms. Thelma F. Sturt Mr. Joseph Suarez, Sr. P‘69 Mrs. Veronica D. Sweeney Mrs. Rhoda Thalhimer Mr. William B. Thalhimer, Jr. Dr. Christine Thelen M‘37 Mrs. Evelyn F. Thomas Dr. and Mrs. W. Taliaferro Thompson, Jr. M‘38 Dr. George N. Trakas D‘39 Dr. George T. Tunstall, Jr. D‘57 Mrs. Fay T. Vaden N‘37 Dr. John W. Vann M‘17 Mr. John M. Walke Mr. Ben A. Wallerstein Ms. Marcia N. Walpert Ms. Mary D. Weaver Mrs. Mary F. Whited Dr. Patricia Loucks Wiley Dr. Annie L. Wilkerson M‘38 Dr. William O. Winston M‘49 Ms. Christine J. Woodson N‘55 Mr. George Stuart Woodson Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Woolwine, Jr. D‘42 Dr. Doris B. Yingling Ms. Polly B. Young

Charles G. Thalhimer, continued

“I credit my father for our sense of responsibility to the community,” said Thalhimer. “He was very clear about it. Our business was successful in large part because of the support of the people—our customers— of this city. Investing in our community is a great way to give back, to return the favor. And, people who have a certain amount of good fortune should be willing to share it and help those that are less fortunate, to contribute to the common good. I am very proud that my children and their spouses have carried on our family’s tradition of good citizenship.”

Nowhere has Thalhimer’s philosophy of giving back been more keenly felt than on the MCV Campus. His generosity and involvement span decades and administrations, constituting what many would consider a second career.

“Just after I retired in 1986, I had a visit from Ed Ackell, the president of VCU at that time. He came to visit us in Florida, and as it turned out, it wasn’t to fish and play golf. He said, ‘Charles, we want you to raise $52 million for VCU.’” “My response was that after 40 years of a career with Thalhimers I was looking forward to a life without the demands or stress of business, plus travel from Richmond at frequent intervals. Ed said, ‘I don’t care where you are, just raise the money.’ I asked for the night to think over our decision.”

“My late wife, Rhoda, had served on the boards of RPI and VCU over a 20-year period, so naturally both of us were enthusiastic and committed to the university.

Rhoda also made the point that she definitely didn’t want me at home too much and that the challenge would be good for me after my active business life. The next morning I told Ed, let’s get started.”

“So when we got back to Richmond I recruited a team— Jim Wheat, Wally Stettinius, Bill Berry, Gil Minor, III and Dr.Wyatt Beazley—and we went to work.

Despite the fact that Wyatt was the only VCU alumnus among us, and there was not much of an active alumni base, we raised $62 million.

Most of it came from the MCV Campus. It was a really gratifying experience.”

That campaign, called ‘Making a Difference,’ was the first university-wide fundraising effort in VCU’s history. Thalhimer, chair of the campaign, has been an active fundraiser and friend raiser ever since. He was honorary chair of the ‘Partners for Progress’ Campaign that ran from 1992-1998 and raised $167.8 million. He also has been a volunteer and benefactor of VCU’s basketball and tennis programs,

MCV Foundation P. O. Box 980234 Richmond, Virginia 23298-0234

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A Message from Bill Kotti as well as campaigns for Massey Cancer Center, Pauley Heart Center, the School of Business, the School of Medicine, the School of the Arts, the School of Nursing and many others.

“I knew, from my earliest days here, that Charles Thalhimer was someone VCU could count on,” said Dr. Eugene Trani, president of VCU. “And by that I mean more than just his philanthropy, which has been bountiful and across the entire university. His advice and counsel, as well as his insights into the Richmond community, were extremely helpful as we worked to develop the VCU vision. He is a very modest man whom, I feel certain, has no idea how many lives he has touched and what a positive impact he has had on VCU and, indeed, the Commonwealth.”

“VCU Medical Center is a tremendous asset to our community, a source of top quality, accessible health care that any city would be proud to have,” said Thalhimer.

“And VCU is critical to our city’s economic, social and cultural wellbeing. In fact, I don’t think Richmond would exist if it weren’t for MCV and VCU. It’s the only thing that has had continual growth.”

“I don’t believe people realize how much volunteer groups and non-profit organizations do to help the community that we’re all a part of,” he continued. “But they can't do it alone. We all have to pitch in to the extent that we can.

You know, once you get involved, it’s absolutely addictive and it’s contagious. And frankly, the one that’s doing the giving, whether it’s in time or money, is the greater recipient.”

One of the nicest things about my job here at the MCV Foundation is the almost daily news of a donor making a wonderful gift to one of our campus schools, centers or programs. These generous individuals and families come from near and far, and represent all demographics.

Frequently they are community leaders, alumni, faculty, patients, or families of patients. Their reasons for giving are as diverse as they are, and each has a unique story to tell.

As we plan each issue of the Chronicle of Giving, we are faced with selecting which of our inspiring donors to feature. In the world of university advancement, having more great donor stories than publishing space permits is a good problem, and one for which we are very grateful.

Charles G. Thalhimer, profiled in our cover story, is renowned for putting his time, influence and money into helping people and building community. The Thalhimer family’s tradition of generosity and volunteerism has had profound effect on programs and schools throughout our campus and university.

Kay Clary, Brenda Eggleston and Elinor Marshall have all honored family members with gifts to the MCV campus, providing a lasting testimony to their loved ones and helping improve healthcare for future generations.

Katherine Bobbitt, School of Nursing alumna, retired faculty and longtime MCV Foundation trustee, has been part and parcel of this campus for over 50 years. Her limitless love for her school and her profession has made an indelible mark on MCV, and through her annuity, will continue to do so in the future.

The Goodwins have transformed a health crisis in their own family into a crusade to help other childhood cancer patients and families. Using their energy and expertise, they are galvanizing our community into a powerhouse of support for childhood cancer clinical care and research programs at MCV Children’s Medical Center and Massey Cancer Center.

The common denominator for these individuals is a commitment to helping others through the mission of the MCV Campus—outstanding teaching, clinical services, research, and community outreach.

We are grateful for the generosity of all of our volunteers and donors.

Their time, talents, and financial investments through the MCV Foundation enable the university to attract the brightest healthcare professionals, teachers, researchers, and students. I hope that you enjoy these inspiring stories, and I invite you to join a wonderful partnership dedicated to serving our community and state.

William P. Kotti President, MCV Foundation