Master of all

Master

O F ALL

Scholarships enable ambitious student to pursue dual degrees and engage in multiple extracurriculars

» BY MARGARET CORUM (B.S.’15/H&S)

Sneha Krish

Photo Kaitlyn Rose Photography

Sneha Krish (B.A.’19/H&S; B.S.’19 /H&S) wasn’t always encouraged to pursue all her passions and interests. As a high school student in Los Angeles, Krish was a member of the Model United Nations and several service-oriented organizations, such as the Red Cross. Outside of school, she was a member of a dance company and a photography club. She participated actively in community service and completed pre-med curriculum. A principal cautioned her to narrow her focus.

“My high school principal told me that if I stuck to all these things and tried to fit everything together into my career, I would become a jack of all trades and master of none,” Krish says.

But Krish believed that, far from being a distraction, her extracurricular activities complemented her academic life. When she enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University, she finally felt understood.

“I’m really passionate about my studies, but I’m also passionate about dance, literature, staying active and having a healthy social life,” Krish says. “I think one thing that people might not know about college is that there is still time for you to pursue other interests. There’s so much you can do in addition to being a student.”

Krish has competed in and choreographed a variety of dance disciplines since she was 5 years old. Dance, she says, has influenced her work ethic, making her more resilient and less likely to give up on something new.

“I was captain of the dance team for two years at VCU,” she says. “Through dance, I was able to get out of my path and be active in something I really love. There are so many sides to a person, and each should be nourished and encouraged. It is so important to be engaged in a variety of passions because it enhances the diversity of the community and broadens American culture.”

“It’s very nice to dream a dream, but to be able to achieve it, you need help. And the scholarship made that dream possible.”

– SNEHA KRISH (B.A.’19/H&S; B.S.’19/H&S)

Literature is another of her passions. Current favorites are 19th-century authors such as Jane Austen and Thomas Hardy. She especially loves the Harry Potter series and affectionately refers to VCU as her Hogwarts, after the wizarding school in the books.

“I’m an only child, so growing up I spent a lot of time at the library,” she says. “I was bullied in elementary school, so I didn’t make any friends until high school. Reading took me to a place where I felt valued, and it built my self-confidence and self-esteem.” High achiever With a long-term goal to be a doctor and a strong interest in health care policy, specifically international health care and global health inequities, Krish decided to pursue both a B.A. in political science and a B.S. in biology at VCU.

“The biology degree gave me core knowledge in physiology and biology, the scientific side of medicine. I added a political science major because I want policy and public administration to shape my practice as a physician,” she says. “You can look at health care from a patient-treatment-illness perspective, but a doctor should also assess a patient’s socioeconomic background and how it contributes to symptoms and affects treatment. I want to approach medicine from both sides.”

Krish pursued two degrees and maintained her passion for dance thanks in part to the Jay and Sondra Weinberg Undergraduate Honors Scholarship she received in 2018. She also received a four-year University Scholarship as a freshman in the Honors College.

“I was concerned about affording college,” she says. “My family is big, and my dad is the only person who works. We used to have seven people living with us, including my grandparents on both sides, my aunt and my mom and dad. The scholarship enabled me to stay in class and keep my work hours manageable, and it lifted the weight off my dad.

“Without the Weinberg Scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to graduate with two degrees in three years and be so engaged in dance,” she continues. “It’s very nice to dream a dream, but to be able to achieve it, you need help. And the scholarship made that dream possible.”

The Weinberg Scholarship was established in 1998. A member of the VCU Board of Visitors from 1989 to 2001, Jay Weinberg realized the school was in dire need of scholarship funds for outstanding students. Then-VCU President Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., appointed Weinberg to a committee focused on raising money for honors scholarships. To date, Weinberg has personally contributed more than $1 million to the fund.

“We had a strong feeling that we wanted to help qualified students pursue their goals and find success,” Weinberg says. “Sneha has fulfilled our desires for this scholarship. It’s heartwarming to hear of her accomplishments and achievements. We are grateful for the opportunity to enhance the quality of life for VCU students who have the ability and the desire to improve the world.”

Former Honors College Dean Barry Falk, Ph.D., says wellrounded students are vitally important to VCU.

“We are grateful to donors like Mr. Weinberg because their support enables extraordinary students like Sneha to pursue a unique educational experience,” he says.

Hitting the books

Krish graduated in May 2019 and is eligible for guaranteed admission to the VCU School of Medicine.

Right now, she is pursuing her master’s in global health at the University of California, San Francisco. She has begun work with UCSF faculty to develop a phone-based health education tool to promote postnatal care in Chandigarh, India.

“We are using technology to deliver information to difficultto-reach populations,” Krish says.

Krish advocates for physician education in health care policy alongside their medical training. She is not waiting for change to happen. She is doing what she has always done: forging her own path and embracing her constellation of interests.

“I want to be a physician who is focused on policy. I can more effectively treat communities when I have a deeper understanding of their lives, from both a policy and medical perspective. This way, I will have a more sustainable impact.”

To learn more about the Honors College, contact Richard Spain (M.Ed.’13/E), senior university gift officer, at (804) 828-6502 or spainrt@vcu.edu.

Massey on the River hits milestone anniversary, raises more than $85,000

Almost 1,000 people gathered this past September in Richmond, Virginia, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Massey on the River. The event takes place annually on Mayo Island and benefits cancer research at VCU Massey Cancer Center.

With the James River as a backdrop, the event featured a buffet from Lunch.Supper!, a craft beer station, a silent auction and live music by Three Sheets to the Wind. The fundraiser provided a lively platform for celebrating the cumulative power of individual giving and uniting the greater Richmond community in support of a common cause.

This year’s Massey on the River raised more than $85,000, with nearly $20,000 coming from Fund a Cure, a 20-minute period during the evening when the Massey Alliance asks attendees to text to make a donation.

Massey on the River is the signature annual fundraiser for the Massey Alliance, a membership-based group of young professionals who raise funds and awareness for Massey’s lifesaving research. The group hosts numerous events, offers advocacy opportunities and develops partnerships to support fundraising efforts.

To mark Massey on the River’s 10th year, the alliance announced a new membership initiative. Donors can join by giving $25 or more per year through a Massey Alliance event or via its membership site. Members receive exclusive communications and invitations throughout the year.

To learn more about the Massey Alliance, visit massey.vcu.edu/giving /massey-alliance or contact Michelle Adcock, director of board relations, at (804) 828-1187 or madcock@vcu.edu.

Students, benefactors meet at School of Business endowment luncheon

The VCU School of Business hosted its annual Endowment Day Luncheon this past fall at The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia. Almost 100 attendees, including donors, faculty members and scholarship recipients, celebrated $8.1 million in new gifts over the past fiscal year. These have established new scholarships, supported internship opportunities, challenged students to consider business ethics, leveraged professional skill-learning opportunities and created a major financial wellness initiative.

The luncheon is a chance for donors to meet the students who have benefited from their generosity. Daniel Filippelli, who received the Katherine Gomez Nelson Scholarship and interned last summer with Altria, was surprised to learn that John R. Nelson Jr., Ph.D., retired executive vice president and chief technology officer at Altria, was one of his benefactors.

“The scholarship was under his wife’s name, so I hadn’t made the connection,” Filippelli says. “It was so nice to put a face to the people who have been so generous.”

Guests viewed video testimonials from recipients Derek Hetrick, Annette Koroma and Giovanni Knight and heard a

Business Dean Ed Grier and Valerie Grier (center) with recipients of the Ed and Valerie Grier Diversity Scholarship in Business Sierra Moore (left) and Annette Koroma

moving message from Rohit Karnati, a junior majoring in finance, who received the Michael and Joan Kline Endowed Scholarship.

“Education is a privilege,” he said. “As a first-generation student, I strive to be a role model for my younger brother.”

To learn more about the School of Business, contact Shannon K. Duvall, chief development officer, at (804) 828-1035 or skduvall@vcu.edu.

Artist Sir James Thornhill at the event

Chef’s dinner benefits the Virginia Treatment Center for Children

After a two-year hiatus, the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Psychiatry brought back its annual Chef ’s Dinner this past October. Spearheaded by Shannon Weisleder, Melissa Christian and Tyler Brown — members of the department’s volunteer group, the Healthy Minds Cabinet — Chef ’s Dinner took over Shagbark Restaurant in Libbie Mill, Richmond, Virginia, to raise awareness and support for the VCU Virginia Treatment Center for Children.

While guests enjoyed a seasonal tasting menu by Shagbark chef Walter Bundy, the evening focused on the various needs of the children being served at the VTCC and the importance of decreasing the stigma associated with mental health.

Overall proceeds from the event, raised through corporate sponsorship and individual ticket sales, support the creation of two new murals by local artists Chris Milk Hulburt and Sir James Thornhill within the inpatient unit of the VTCC. They will be completed this spring.

“We are so grateful to the Chef ’s Dinner host committee and all of the event attendees,” says Alexandria Lewis, executive director of the VTCC. “Thanks to their passion for helping children, our patients and their families will greatly benefit from the enhanced spaces. The new murals will aid in our efforts to provide a therapeutic environment that promotes healing.”

To learn more about sponsoring a mural or supporting the Chef’s Dinner in 2020, contact Lynn Meyer, Department of Psychiatry director of development, at lynn.meyer@vcuhealth.org.

H&S scholarship students thank donors at annual breakfast

The College of Humanities and Sciences hosted its Donor Scholarship Breakfast this past December at the VCU Institute for Contemporary Art.

The annual event celebrates the generosity and commitment of the college’s biggest supporters. The college has more than 150 scholarships and awarded more than $325,000 in donor-funded financial support in the 2019-20 academic year.

More than 100 guests attended the event, where donors and students met one another — many for the first time — enjoyed breakfast and viewed a special thank-you video featuring scholarship students. In the video, students shared the impact that the scholarships have had on their lives. As one student explained, the scholarship “lifted the weight of the world off my chest.”

Guests also heard from Kristina Donnally, a senior majoring in history and anthropology, who spoke about her summer as an archaeological intern on a dig in Israel, which was made possible by the Baldacci Student Experiential Learning Endowed Fund.

“Receiving the Baldacci scholarship did not just mean a cool study-abroad experience or help with a financial burden; it meant so much more,” Donnally said. “This scholarship meant the best summer of my whole life. It meant that I got to follow my dreams. Now as I head into my final semester, I’m excited about my future.”

To learn more about the College of Humanities and Sciences, contact Caitlin Hanbury (M.A.’12/A), assistant director of community affairs, at (804) 827-0862 or cshanbury@vcu.edu.

Kristina Donnally at the event

Neifelds honored at Commencement

Longtime Virginia Commonwealth University supporters Ramona and James “Jim” Neifeld, M.D. (M.D.’72/M), were honored with the Edward A. Wayne Medal at Commencement in December. The award recognizes the couple’s extraordinary service and generosity to the university over several decades.

Jim Neifeld joined VCU’s School of Medicine as an assistant professor in surgical oncology in 1978 and became professor of surgery in 1986. In 2003, he was appointed the Stuart McGuire Professor and chair of the Department of Surgery, a position he held for more than 10 years. He is a member of the VCU Athletics Advisory and Golf Advisory boards, and he previously served on the VCU Health System Authority Board.

The couple are longtime donors to the School of Medicine and are passionate supporters of VCU Athletics. They have endowed two scholarships and have supported the construction of the VCU Athletics Basketball Development Center and the VCU Golf Practice Facility at First Tee. Both serve on the Make It Real Campaign for VCU Senior Advisory Council.

Jim and Ramona Neifeld (left) with VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D.

Fundraisers make waves to fight cancer with Swim Across America

The second annual Swim Across America Richmond Open Water Swim raised nearly $33,000 in October. Swimmers took to the James River in Richmond, Virginia, in a fundraising effort to support VCU Massey Cancer Center’s lifesaving cancer research.

Swim Across America is a national nonprofit that hosts charity swims in partnership with world-renowned research institutes and organizations to fund cancer research and clinical trials.

This year, participants could take a leisurely float downriver rather than swim. This option proved to be an entertaining part of the day, as a parade of inflatable pizza slices, unicorns and a giant, hot-pink flamingo drifted to the finish line.

Among the top fundraisers was Santiago Lima, Ph.D., a member of Massey’s cancer cell signaling research program and a former competitive swimmer who captained the Massey team for the second year. His passion for philanthropy is fueled by his family’s experience with cancer: In 2017, his wife, Amanda Dickinson, Ph.D., an associate professor in the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences, was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma. It’s a disease that, before advancements in immunotherapy, usually came with a grim prognosis.

“We believe she was lucky to have been treated at a place like Massey, which is at the forefront of fundamental research and clinical trials that make new therapies possible,” Lima says. “It is the development of new treatments that is now changing those grim statistics.”

Dickinson is living in a new era for melanoma patients. She has been in remission for over a year.

“When you hear fundraising campaigns say, ‘Every donated dollar can make a difference,’ it is not a slogan, it is a reality,” Lima says. “Millions and millions of dollars are spent to make small advances, and it takes many, many, many small advances to develop one single modern, effective anti-cancer therapy. Amanda is living proof of how this can make a real difference to people.”

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