Expansion and engagement: VCU celebrates its 50-year anniversary

SAFFEYA AHMED

Contributing Writer

The nation was in upheaval when VCU opened its doors in downtown Richmond in the summer of 1968.

The university’s journey as an institution began when the Medical College of Virginia opened its doors in 1838. MCV gained official status as a state institution in 1860 — it played a critical role in educating doctors and providing healthcare through the Civil War, World War I and World War II.

After MCV’s full establishment, a separate academic institution — Richmond School of Social Economy — opened in 1917. In 1939, the school changed its name to Richmond Professional Institute.

In February of 1968, the House and Senate approved the RPIMCV merger, passing the order as

“emergency” legislation, effective immediately.

VCU now celebrates its anniversary on July 1, 1968 — the day RPI officially merged with MCV.

Ray Bonis, senior research associate at VCU and co-author of a book on VCU’s history, said VCU’s formation was necessary.

“Legislators and leaders in Virginia realized that new students needed more colleges and universities to attend to in Virginia,” Bonis said. “That’s one of the reasons VCU was created. They thought the Commonwealth of Virginia needed an urban school to handle the urban problems which were developing in the mid to late-60s.”

A year full of accomplishments and adversities, the RPI-MCV merger was not the only defining event of 1968. As a nation, the United States experienced some of the best and the worst moments in history — from the first orbital of the moon to the assassinations of key leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy to the ongoing Vietnam War.

50 years later, the United States stands at the crossroads of accomplishment and adversity yet again. The recent turmoil in Parkland, Florida and high instances of gun violence this year mirror gun violence in the United States back in 1968.

“With Donald Trump being president, we have entered an era of presidential turmoil,” Bonis said. “His brashness has inspired Americans to come out against him and his policies — kind of like the backlash we saw with the Civil Rights Movement in the 60s.”

While the fight for civil rights strongly defined 1968, the message of key leaders still resonates with students across the nation. John

Kneebone, chair of VCU’s department of history, said 1968 looks like 2018 in certain aspects — especially activism.

“We’re seeing signs of student activism today,” Kneebone said. “The 60s was a unique period in the history of higher education because students and student protests really did have an influence. We see that resonating today, as students help to set the course for an urban university that’s diverse, pluralistic and open to everybody.”

Student activism isn’t the only sector VCU continues to excel in half a century later. Mirroring 1968, VCU remains a top public university in Virginia. VCU Medical Center, now over 200 years old, is the top medical center in Virginia, according to U.S. News Health.

VCU stands as the second largest public university in Virginia after George Mason University, according to the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia. Originally opening with an enrollment of 10,000 students, VCU’s expansion has increased enrollment by over 300 percent in its 50 years standing as an institution.

Averaging more than 30,000 students enrolled every year, VCU has expanded immensely since the RPI-MCV merge. Bonis said VCU’s facilities and enrollment grew the most under its fourth and longest-serving president, Dr. Eugene Trani, who played a major role in VCU’s northbound growth.

Trani served as VCU president for a little under 20 years — from 1990 to 2009. A key leader in VCU’s expansion, Trani stopped the institution’s extension south, encroaching on areas like Oregon Hill. Under his presidency, VCU developed facilities north, taking over West Franklin, West Grace,

West Broad and West Marshall Streets.

“When I arrived there were 21,000 students, and when I left there were 32,000 students,” Trani said. “That growth is really important. VCU became, at one point, the largest institution in the Commonwealth. It really solidified VCU as an anchor institution in the Richmond metropolitan area.”

Bonis said 50 years ago, no one really knew VCU as an institution; now, we’re an name known throughout the nation.

“(The impact VCU has had) is dramatic and it’s obvious. If it wasn’t for VCU, there wouldn’t be much going on in the city of Richmond,” Bonis said. “It’s been VCU that’s revitalized and helped to give energy and growth to the city.”

Dr. Grace Harris Is Remembered for ‘Her Spirit of Hope’

GEORGE COPELAND JR AND ADAM HAMZA

Dr. Grace Harris, whose life and career stretched from the roads of rural Halifax County to the halls of the Virginia State Capital, was celebrated Saturday at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

Senate Panel Votes to Ban ‘Lunch Shaming’ in Virginia

IRENA SCHUNN

A Senate committee Thursday unanimously approved a bill to prohibit “lunch shaming” – the practice of singling out students who owe the school cafeteria money or cannot pay for their lunch.

As College Tuition Rises, Senate Panel Kills Bill Mandating Public Input

LIA TABACKMAN AND DEANNA DAVISON

Virginia public colleges have increased tuition by an average of 82 percent over the past decade, and students are taking out billions of dollars in loans to front rising tuition costs. But a bill requiring university trustees to hold a public comment period before raising tuition is foundering in the Senate after passing in the House of Delegates.

Richmond Sidewalk Problems Prompt Concerns

JESSICA WETZLER

After receiving multiple complaints about the conditions of sidewalks, roadways, and alleys, a Richmond City Council committee met Thursday night to express its support on moving forward to make improvements and repairs.

Virginia Teenagers May Rescue Volunteer Fire Departments

LOGAN BOGERT

A bill to allow teenagers to join volunteer fire and rescue squads may save many operations around Virginia that have seen an increase in service calls but a decrease in volunteers.

Delegate Aims to Rein in ‘Predatory Loans,’ to No Avail

SIONA PETEROUS

“You’re pre-approved!”

CashNetUSA, a Chicago-based company, exclaimed in a letter to Alexandria resident Mark Levine. “$1,000 is waiting!” Smaller print at the bottom of the solicitation noted that the annual interest rate would be 299 percent.

Levine wasn’t just any name on CashNetUSA’s direct-mail list. He’s also a state delegate. Surprised and outraged by the ad, he introduced a bill this legislative session to ban high-interest loans.

These stories are courtesy of VCU’s Capital News Service. The full stories can be found at vcucns.com.

SOPHIA BELLETTI

Behind the name plaque on Richmond mayor Levar Stoney’s desk sits a small turtle only he can see.

It was a gift from Virginia Union University president, Hakim J. Lucas. When Lucas gifted the turtle to Stoney he said “you know the only animal that sticks its neck out? A turtle.”

When Stoney sees the small turtle with the tortoise colored shell, he is reminded of what makes a strong politician.

“Good leaders stick their necks out in a time of crisis,” Stoney said.

That motto has motivated Stoney to overcome adversity and become well acquainted with the concept of being ‘first.’

Stoney was the first in his family to go to, and graduate from, college.

In 2004, he graduated from James Madison University where he was the first African American male ever elected president of the student government.

From 2014 through 2016, he served as the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, becoming the first African American to serve in this role and the youngest member of Governor Terry McAuliffe’s administration.

On December 31, 2016, at 35 years of age, Stoney became Richmond’s youngest elected mayor.

“It would be shocking if someone from our generation wasn’t at the helm of a city that’s on the rise like Richmond,” Stoney said. “I think in 2016 folks made it very clear they’re ready to turn the page and ready to embrace that we’re a city on the rise.”

Stoney was born in Nassau County, New York, but shortly thereafter moved to Hampton Roads. He described growing up in a situation “where you knew we didn’t have a lot, but you knew everything was always going to be okay.”

As a kid, he handled his grandmother’s finances. He was the one who would call the bank and check how much money was in the account toward the end of the month.

“When you call on a Monday and you have to get through to Saturday and find out all you have is $60 left in the account,

New program targets international students

ANYA SCZERZENIE

Contributing Writer

Navitas, a global education company with more than 120 associated colleges, recently announced a partnership with VCU to create the Global Student Success program — a move intended to make the university a more ideal destination for international study.

“VCU was chosen because of its academic reputation, diverse student body, size and location.” said Ian Day, Navitas spokesperson.

Day said enrollment will begin fall 2018. The program will include courses designed specifically for international students, which will be included in the university core requirements and courses will include language support for English Language Learner students if necessary.

VCU has 1,452 international students from 101 countries across the globe. China, India, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have the most students here.

The program is expected to bring in more international students along with global education programs, like Globe.

“We are able to meet universities where they are on the internationalization spectrum, taking into consideration existing programs,” Day said.