Mass Comm: School named for alumnus, TV industry giant

The Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors has approved a new name for the School of Mass Communications in honor of alumnus and retired television executive Richard T. “Dick” Robertson (B.S.’67/MC). Read more.

H&S: Author-alumnus Kevin Powers shares lessons

Best-selling author and Virginia Commonwealth University alumnus Kevin Powers (B.A.’08/H&S) visited campus in mid-November as part of Veterans’ Day activities. Powers, author of “The Yellow Birds” and 2013 finalist for the National Book Award, is a Richmond native who deployed to Iraq with the United States Army from 2004 to 2005. Read more.

H&S: Alumni recognized in Top 40 Under 40

For a year, Ryan Rinn’s (Cert.’11/H&S; M.U.R.P.’12/H&S) office was a park bench. Sometimes it was his car or the Fire House 15 cafe operated by the nonprofit Boaz & Ruth. As a community organizer in Highland Park, that was exactly where he wanted to be, he says: “Listening to people who live there, whose neighborhood it’s been for 40 years.” Read more.

Mass Comm: Alumni recognized in Top 40 Under 40

As a vice president at the Martin Agency, Matt Mattox (M.S.’05/MC) has some big brands under his belt: UPS, Wal-Mart, Geico — the list goes on. Read more.

Mass Comm: From graduation to the White House

Evelynn Escobar-Thomas (B.S.’13/H&S) was sure her VCU Mass Comm courses prepared her for the working world. She just wasn’t sure she would go straight from graduating to working at the White House. Read more.

Two professors win Fulbrights

Virginia Commonwealth University professors Shawn Utsey and Jeff South have received Fulbright Scholar grants to travel abroad next year. Read more.

News from Development and Alumni Relations

A message from Vice President Marti Heil — I am delighted to now call Virginia Commonwealth University and Richmond my home. I have spent my life in the Midwest, and I am excited to finally be here. VCU is truly a special place. And that’s why I embarked on this new adventure. Read more.

STAT makes huge leaps

Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow is the student chapter of VCU Alumni. As the largest registered student organization  at VCU, it connects students and alumni and provides fun opportunities for students to become engaged. Read more.

Students connect to industry-specific career fairs

There were quite a few handshakes in the University Student Commons last Wednesday as more than 200 students met with employers during the Communications, Media and Creative Marketing Fair. The Nov. 13 event, hosted by the University Career Center, was the first of its kind at VCU and was created in partnership with the Schools of Mass Communications and Arts. Read more.

Buy shirt, help Shaka Smart

Help VCU men’s basketball coach Shaka Smart and his wife, Maya, raise funds and awareness for the FRIENDS Association for Children (FRIENDS RVA), a nonprofit that has supported Richmond kids for more than 140 years. Read more.

VCU vs. Belmont pregame social2-4 p.m. Dec. 1

STAT and VCU Alumni mocktails6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 3

Grand Illumination at Legend Brewing Co.5-7 p.m. Dec. 6

VCU Alumni night: Wizards vs. Bucks5-11 p.m. Dec. 6

"The Nutcracker" 7-10 p.m. Dec. 19-20