Alum and Donor News

The panel discussion accompanies an ongoing exhibit at Cabell Library, “Voices of Change: Student Advocacy and Action from the Archives.” (Photo by Isiah Mejia, VCU Libraries)

‘Voices of Change: Stories from Alumni’ to highlight campus activism

Feb. 16, 2026

The Feb. 26 panel discussion accompanies an ongoing exhibit at James Branch Cabell Library on VCU’s history and legacy of student activism.

It took a couple of years of bumping into each other and hanging out with friends for Patrick and Ashawnna Godette to realize they were a perfect fit despite their very different personalities. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Unbreakable bonds: Bit by bit, an unlikely pairing clicked into place

Feb. 13, 2026

Ashawnna and Patrick Godette Jr. — extrovert and introvert — started their journey with small moments.

Amanda and Steve Guilford, pictured with their daughter Emily, were dating other people when they met their sophomore year, but the timing was right when their paths crossed a second time a year later. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Unbreakable bonds: After great first impressions, they needed a second-chance meeting

Feb. 12, 2026

Steve and Amanda Guilford turned friendship into love, adventure and family in the past two decades.

Terry and Ed Dadez took the same chemistry class at VCU as freshmen and married four years later. Their 46-year marriage has been highlighted by two sons, numerous academic degrees and careers in nursing and education. (Contributed image)

Unbreakable bonds: An index card isn’t the most romantic prop, but persistence paid off

Feb. 12, 2026

Ed Dadez was smitten with wife-to-be Terry from the get-go in 1975; her thoughts, and eyes, were elsewhere.

Jonathan Moore and Joel Gill have long supported each other in their studies and their work – and have seven VCU degrees between them. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Unbreakable bonds: To the nth degrees, they’re a perfect Ram match

Feb. 11, 2026

Joel Gill and Jonathan Moore made a virtual connection in 2004, and many VCU diplomas have framed their journey.

Heather Caslin, Ph.D. (B.S.’12, M.S.’14, Ph.D.’18) trains the next generation of physiology students

Jan. 30, 2026

An alumna of both the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences and the School of Life Sciences and Sustainability, Caslin’s career in teaching and research was inspired by her time on the Monroe Park campus.

J. Kim Penberthy, Ph.D. (Ph.D.’98) pursues innovative therapies to expand patient freedom

Jan. 30, 2026

The Department of Psychology alumna recently returned to campus to speak on prolonged grief disorder and the feasibility of psilocybin treatment

Shruti Shrivastava is pictured dressed in the Oxford Sub Fusc, the traditional academic attire required at Oxford University. Shrivastava is in front of Oxford's Sheldonian Theatre and Bodleian Library. (Contributed image)

How I found my research: Shruti Shrivastava’s interest in evolutionary biology takes her to Oxford

Jan. 5, 2026

Shrivastava is studying how biological diversity might change over time due to the effects of climate change.

IBé Crawley, who spent 30 years teaching K-12 in Virginia schools, is part of the African American doll and puppet makers community and the African American Craft Alliance, as well as various book arts collectives. She also founded the IBé Arts Institute. (Contributed image)

Meet-a-Ram: IBé Crawley still adding creative chapters to her life story

Nov. 14, 2025

A half-century since she started at VCU, she continues to blend education, art and community.

Nardos Iyob (B.A. ’20) raises awareness for a major adolescent development study

Nov. 10, 2025

Iyob’s survey of the humanities as a Department of Political Science and Department of African American Studies double major prepared her to work in research