Living the dream

LIVING DREAM THE

Scholarships enable nursing student to honor his immigrant parents’ sacrifices

By Margaret Corum (B.S.’15/H&S)

ou could say that Christian Santos’ journey to Virginia Commonwealth University began decades ago, when his grandfather, an engineer in the Philippines, was recruited by the U.S. Navy as a part of policy that encouraged the military to enlist Filipinos.

He ultimately became a U.S. citizen. Seeking a better quality of life, Santos’ parents and two siblings began the process of immigrating to the U.S. about 25 years ago. Santos was born shortly after his family immigrated.

“It was very hard on my family,” Santos says. “My mom and dad had a life together in the Philippines, and they already had my two older siblings. It’s hard to uproot all these lives, to leave behind friends and family, and start over in another country. But they knew the sacrifice was worth it. Opportunities for education and a career are so much better here.”

A student in the VCU School of Nursing, Santos is the first person in his family to graduate from high school and attend college. His siblings arrived in the U.S. when they were 7 and 8 and did not graduate from high school.

When his parents first arrived, they worked at his aunt’s bakery in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Now, his mother works in a beauty shop. His father recently left a job as a manager for Dunkin’ to work for a sign manufacturing company.

The move allowed Santos to get a good education, with excellent career prospects, but starting over in a new country put a financial strain on the family.

“Growing up, there were definitely times when my family’s financial security was in question. I remember my mom laying out all her dollar bills in the living room, trying to figure out how to move money around to pay the bills and keep a roof over our heads,” Santos says. Y

Photo Jud Froelich

THE BURDEN OF SACRIFICE

Today, Santos feels a sense of responsibility to succeed and to achieve his parents’ version of the American dream because of the sacrifices they made for him to grow up in the States.

“When I told my dad that I got into nursing school, he was very emotional,” Santos says. “In his mind, this is where his sacrifice went. In a way, it makes it all worth it for him.”

Santos hopes to graduate from the VCU School of Nursing this spring and work for VCU Health as a nurse. He is confident that his achievements have honored his family’s sacrifices, but as a first-generation college student, the journey was not easy. »

“As a first-generation student, I’ve had to figure out a lot of things on my own,” he says. “It made me grow up faster, especially when it comes to managing my own finances and making sure I can afford to keep coming back to VCU. My family isn’t in a position to support me financially. But I wouldn’t be where I am without their love, support and sacrifices. However, being first generation has also offered me a sense of freedom and independence.”

Santos’ accomplishments as a first-generation college student are a combination of work ethic, intellect and timely scholarship support. He is a recipient of the School of Nursing Endowed Scholarship and the four-year Provost Scholarship.

“That I am in college is a huge source of pride for my family,” Santos says. “I would not be here without these scholarships.”

THE POWER OF GIVING

Mildred Neagle (B.S.’68/N; M.S.’89/N; Cert.’06/N), a triple alumna from the VCU School of Nursing, is one of the many donors to the Nursing Endowed Scholarship Fund.

“I appreciated the scholarship money I received from VCU when I was getting my master’s degree,” Neagle says. “Now that I’m at a point in my life where I have some extra funds, I wanted to give back to the school and help other people who need financial aid.”

Generosity like Neagle’s gives students like Santos a financial boost to graduate from college.

“It’s important for our school to support the dreams of highly talented students like Christian who often face unique challenges,” says Jean Giddens, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, dean and Doris B. Yingling Endowed Chair of the VCU School of Nursing. “Scholarships help to ease the financial burden, allowing students to focus their time and energy on their education rather than on how to fund it.”

The scholarships, Santos says, have provided him with a sense of security and freedom from worrying about bills, rent or tuition. He can focus solely on his studies and making connections with faculty and colleagues. As of now, Santos has only $7,500 in student loan debt, with no plans to increase the amount in his final semester. As of 2017-18, the average student loan debt for a bachelor’s graduate of the VCU School of Nursing was $20,696.

“When I think back on my college experience, the main emotion I feel is gratitude,” Santos says. “I was given an amazing opportunity because VCU took a chance on me.”

To learn more about the School of Nursing, contact Pam Lowe, senior director of development, at (804) 827-0020 or plowe@vcu.edu.

Photo VCU College of Engineering

VCU College of Engineering tops off new research building

The VCU College of Engineering marked a construction milestone in its new $93 million, 133,000-square-foot Engineering Research Building at a topping-off ceremony in October.

Spectators cheered as the final beam — signed by students, faculty and members of the community — was hoisted into the air and placed on top of the Engineering Research Building at East Cary and Belvidere streets in Richmond, Virginia. The facility is set to open in late 2020.

“This is an opportunity to turn VCU’s engineering program into a new model for engineering schools,” said VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., at the event. “Students learn best when their educational experience parallels the real-world experience. I can’t wait to cut the ribbon next year.”

Barbara D. Boyan, Ph.D., the Alice T. and William H. Goodwin, Jr. Dean of the college, said the building includes modern concepts, with a first-floor makerspace and labs for computer science and advanced, collaborative biomedical engineering.

After the ceremony, VCU engineering faculty and staff donned hard hats and vests for a first look inside the building.

To learn more about the College of Engineering, contact Brian Campbell, executive director of development, at (804) 828-1475 or becampbell@vcu.edu.

Symposium honors outgoing Massey Director Gordon Ginder, M.D.

Hundreds gathered this past fall for a research symposium to honor Gordon Ginder, M.D., who stepped down as director of VCU Massey Cancer Center in December. The event, held at the Omni Hotel in Richmond, Virginia, featured reflections from Ginder’s colleagues and highlights of the scientific achievements that have taken place at Massey during his 22-year tenure.

Ginder will remain at Massey as a scientist and hematologistoncologist.

Michael Rao, Ph.D., president of VCU and VCU Health System, and Marsha Rappley, M.D., then CEO of VCU Health System and senior vice president of VCU Health Sciences, gave opening remarks. Steven Grossman, M.D., Ph.D., deputy director of Massey Cancer Center and the Dianne Nunnally Hoppes Endowed Chair in Cancer Research, spoke of Ginder’s influence on the center’s key accomplishments of the past two decades, noting the center’s growth in scientific base and output fueled by a fourfold increase in extramural, philanthropic and state funding for lifesaving cancer research. He also emphasized that Ginder led five highly competitive renewals for Massey’s National Cancer Institute designation, strengthened multidisciplinary care and helped develop state-of-the-art spaces for cancer research, training and care across the university and health system, including the Goodwin Research Laboratory, the first building at VCU dedicated solely to cancer research.

“Gordon Ginder leaves a lasting legacy that has inspired countless lives in and beyond Virginia,” he said.

A video tribute featuring Ginder’s current and former colleagues, mentees and patients drew a standing ovation. Donors expressed more admiration and respect at a celebratory dinner after the symposium.

Ginder ended the event by thanking those who contributed to the Gordon Ginder Research Excellence Fund, which focuses on blood cancer research, his specialization, as well as colleagues and Massey’s donors, who, he said, made possible all that had been accomplished during his tenure.

To learn more about Massey Cancer Center, contact Martha Quinn, executive director of development, at (804) 827-0652 or mquinn3@vcu.edu.

New Founders’ Society inductees John Kelly (B.S.’87/H&S) (left), Laura Greer and Harold Greer, Ph.D.

Photo Jud Froelich

Founders’ Society event celebrates impact of philanthropy

More than 200 friends of Virginia Commonwealth University gathered this past October at the Richmond, Virginia, Main Street Station Train Shed for the VCU Founders’ Society Dinner. The black-tie event recognized VCU donors who have made commitments of $100,000 or more to support the mission of the university and its health system.

During a cocktail reception, guests were invited to view an exhibit chronicling the history and lasting impact of private giving throughout VCU’s history. After dinner, new members were presented with special Founders’ Society medallions.

Rebecca Blader

Assistant director of development VCU School of the Arts (804) 828-9384 bladerr@vcu.edu

Lisa Winn Bryan

Director of development VCU Institute for Contemporary Art (804) 828-2823 winnl@vcu.edu

Sara Fetherolf

Development specialist VCU School of Business (804) 827-5209 sfetherolf@vcu.edu

Sandy Turnage

Director of corporate relations VCU Office of Development and Alumni Relations (804) 828-3620 scturnage@vcu.edu

Golf gathering benefits School of Business students

VCU School of Business alumni, friends and corporate partners gathered this past fall at The Federal Club in Glen Allen, Virginia, for the ninth annual VCU Business Alumni Society Golf Open. The event benefits student scholarships and programs such as the School of Business Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship Fund and the Connect mentoring program.

Teams and sponsors enjoyed a day of golf, hole contests, raffles, networking and awards.

The Business Alumni Society has a tradition of supporting VCU students and creating networking opportunities for alumni. Alumni often serve as mentors, recruit students and volunteer as competition judges or classroom speakers.

To learn more about the VCU Business Alumni Society Golf Open, contact Angela Bartee, assistant director of alumni relations, at (804) 828-5308 or adbartee@vcu.edu.

Rodney the Ram with the Executive M.B.A. team

“I want to be an accomplished chemist, which means doing research that will improve the safety of the citizenry against terrorism. I am learning vital skills at VCU to realize this dream. My scholarship makes me feel as if someone is recognizing what I’m doing.”

With a gift to support scholarships at Virginia Commonwealth University, you can make a college degree accessible for all students. Learn more about Derrick and the Invest in Me initiative at go.vcu.edu/invest.

Derrick Ampadu-Boateng College of Humanities and Sciences Class of 2020

Virginia Commonwealth University Development and Alumni Relations

Box 843042 Richmond, Virginia 23284-3042

“The scholarship allowed me to buy loggers to precisely measure the tide. I was studying how carbon in wetland soil is impacted by tidal changes. My ultimate goal is to mitigate climate change.”

Ellen Stuart-Haëntjens, Ph.D. (M.S.’14/H&S; Ph.D.’19/LS)