serves as the center’s executive director. The season launched on September 7 with a performance by the worldrenowned Salsa Dura group La Excelencia. Another September highlight was “Rappahannock County,” a fictional song cycle that explores the impact of the Civil War on a community of Virginians. Among highlights to come, the contemporary bluegrass group The Grascals will play on campus in January. For a full listing of 2011–12 events, visit modlin.richmond.edu.
L eaders Heilman team gathers to celebrate success
When Dr. E. Bruce Heilman was named president of the University in 1971, following the E. Claiborne Robins family gift of $50 million in 1969, his mission was straightforward: to make Richmond one of the finest small universities in the country. Heilman assembled a remarkable team of administrators, about 30 of whom returned to campus in August to reminisce about their shared UR journey. Twelve of Dr. Heilman’s administrators became college or university presidents. Richmond was resourcechallenged before the Robins gift and subsequent fund-
raising campaigns, Thomas N. Pollard, R’49, and former dean of admissions, recalled. Robert C. Dillard, the University’s former police chief, remembered the University’s dearth of air conditioners, barracks that served as residence halls and classrooms, and one phone per building. Despite the obstacles, all the administrators remembered Richmond fondly. Dr. Richard A. Mateer, dean of Richmond College for 42 years, said the University was the only place he ever worked. Dr. John L. Gordon Jr., a former graduate school dean and current professor of history and international studies, is now in his 45th year at Richmond. During the Heilman administration, the University raised $200 million and launched construction projects totaling $65 million. H. Gerald Quigg and D. Chris Withers, known as an accomplished fundraising team, remembered the fun they had in the first campaign under Heilman. And Heilman praised Louis W. Moelchert Jr., former vice president for investments, for managing and growing the University’s endowment. The 85-year-old Heilman still serves as University chancellor and in his spare time rides his HarleyDavidson motorcycle.
University names first rabbi and director of Jewish life Rabbi Andrew Goodman, former senior rabbi of a congregation in Plattsburgh, N.Y., has been named as the University’s first director of Jewish life and campus rabbi. He joined the staff of the University Chaplaincy this summer. “Rabbi Goodman will develop a comprehensive program for our students, faculty, and staff which will include a variety of religious, cultural, and social expressions of Jewish life at Richmond,” said the Rev. Craig Kocher, University chaplain, in announcing Goodman’s appointment. “He also will deepen the University’s engagement with the wider Jewish community in Richmond and work with our entire Chaplaincy staff to further the diversity of religious voices on campus by creating opportunities for engagement across lines of faith traditions,” Kocher said. “He has excellent pastoral and administrative skills and brings a passion for working in a diverse academic community connecting faith, intellect, and social change.” While serving his congregation in Upstate New York, Goodman also was adjunct instructor of Judaism at SUNYPlattsburgh. Previously, he was a commissioned officer in the United States Navy Reserve and a chaplain candidate with the Navy’s Chaplain Corps. Goodman, a graduate of the University of Michigan and the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion, received a master’s degree in Hebrew literature and rabbinical ordination. The Chaplaincy has long been a cornerstone of University life. For a comprehensive look at how this office contributes to campus vitality, see the feature that starts on page 16. Further perspectives are offered in this issue’s “Vantage Point” column (see page 52), authored by University Chaplain Emeritus and Special Assistant to Advancement David Burhans.
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