College of Humanities and Sciences

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Annual Report 2018-19 for the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences

Annual Report 2018-19

Dean Don Young portrait.

It’s an exciting time at VCU’s College for Humanities and Sciences. Fascinating research, innovative teaching methods and experiential learning opportunities abound. Our faculty, staff, students and alumni consistently amaze me. (You’ll read about some of these incredible people in the links below.) And it would not be an understatement to say that we have much to celebrate. Please scroll down to read about some of the many accomplishments from the 2018-19 school year.

I also want to thank you for your support of the College. Whether you contribute to our vibrant community by offering your time, talent, financial generosity or all three, we are grateful for your commitment to VCU and the liberal arts and sciences. Thank you.

Don Young, Ph.D.
Interim Dean 2019-20
VCU College of Humanities and Sciences

Progress Report: Excellence Beyond Boundaries

Just one year ago, the College of Humanities and Sciences launched our new strategic plan, “Excellence Beyond Boundaries.” The plan rests on four pillars: enhancing student success, building and supporting a world-class faculty, conducting nationally recognized research and scholarship, and creating collaborative community engagement. We are pleased to present our top five accomplishments of the year.

Architectural rendering

Breaking Ground: Introducing the New STEM Building

The College of Humanities and Sciences received good cause to celebrate this May. Gov. Ralph Northam signed the state budget, which included funding for a new $121 million, 169,000 square-foot, six-floor building dedicated to science, technology, engineering and math education at the College.

Rising Stars: Faculty Profiles

Big data, the power of fabulousness and chemical explosions. Do we have your attention? Meet three of the College of Humanities and Sciences' rising stars: Jennifer Rhee, Ph.D., madison moore, Ph.D., and Katharine Moore Tibbetts, Ph.D.

Faculty Highlights

Our faculty members in the College of Humanities and Sciences are an amazing group of educators, academics and researchers. Here are just a few faculty highlights from the year.

Grant Highlights

When not in the classroom, our faculty can be found participating in ground-breaking research. Here is a sampling of some of the many grants funded during the 2018-19 fiscal year.

Students standing in a group at the Civil Rights Trail course

Course Callout: The Civil Rights Trail

The Edmund Pettus Bridge was one of 19 sites in Alabama and Georgia connected to civil rights history that 13 VCU students from two new innovative political science classes — one focused on the civil rights movement and the other on U.S. voting rights — visited this summer.

Madihah Alam

Student Profile: Madihah Alam (H&S ’19) Finds Her Passion

When do you know what you are meant to do with your life? For Madihah Alam that answer came in high school when her grandfather was diagnosed with colon cancer. “I was always fascinated with the healing of others, but when my grandfather was sick, I could really see the impact that his physician had on him, how he relieved his pain and increased his life span,” she said. “That led me to volunteer at a local hospital. I saw how passionate the physicians were and I knew I could do that for the rest of my life.”

Student Highlights

There are more than 14,000 students in the College of Humanities and Sciences, and they make VCU proud on a daily basis. Here are two more stories of our students achieving great things on campus — Caitlin Cain (H&S ’19) and Nauje Jones (H&S ’19).

Donor Fred Wayne.

An Enduring Connection
Donor Profile: Fred Wayne (H&S ’70)

Every Tuesday morning, you’ll find Fred Wayne (BA History ’70/H&S and MS Rehab Counseling ‘86/AH) in the dean’s office making thank you calls to donors. Oftentimes, his calls go beyond a simple thank you, resulting in the exchange of a story about a beloved faculty member, a reconnection with a former colleague or talk of shared love for all things VCU. “I volunteer my time because I simply love VCU. I’ve been a student, an employee and a volunteer, and it’s hard to dismiss those links. It just feels like home,” said Fred. “My VCU years opened up opportunities that gave me a life that was rewarding. It enabled me to become a more fully actualized person.”

David Baldacci speaks with VCU students

With Gratitude: Donor Highlights

We are incredibly grateful to all our donors for their support of the College of Humanities and Sciences. In 2018-19, we raised a total of $4,217,453 from 1,278 donors! These gifts will fund a variety of programs and scholarships for students, faculty and staff. Here are just a few highlights from the year.

The College of Humanities and Sciences By the Numbers

The numbers don’t lie. Find out about our degrees, alumni, grants and much more in this quick snapshot.