Dr. Walter Lawrence Jr., Susan Lawrence, Liz and Dave Wallingford.
Dr. Hermes Kontos, Nancy Kontos, Dean Peter Buckley and Leonie Buckley.
Virginia and Ross MacKenzie, Dr. Harold Young, Dr. Wyatt Beazley III and Mason Beazley.
Dr. Gordon Ginder, Becky Massey and Dr. Walter Lawrence Jr.
Dr. Enrique Gerszten and Ellen Gerszten.
Dr. Walter Lawrence Jr. and Judy Brown.
Harry Thalhimer presents Dr. Lawrence with the MCV Society Lifetime Achievement Award, joined by Margaret Ann Bollmeier, Dr. Gordon Ginder and VCU President Michael Rao.
Dr. Lawrence celebrates his 92nd birthday.
Dean Jean Giddens, Mike and Lola Cale.
Fred Moore, Dr. Wyatt Beazley III, Jane Garnet Brown, Beth Moore and Mason Beazley.
Ken Wright and Becky Massey.
Dr. Walter Lawrence Jr. receives the MCV Society Lifetime Achievement Award.
MCV Society Members Honored at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
The MCV Foundation recently hosted its annual reception honoring members of the MCV Society. This year’s location, at the beautiful Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, provided an ideal backdrop for this meaningful event, which recognizes the generous individuals who have made planned gifts through their estates to benefit the MCV Campus.
“We were pleased to welcome 35 new benefactors this year, bringing the MCV Society to 525 members,” said Margaret Ann Bollmeier, MCV Foundation president. “The total value of expectancies now exceeds $115 million.” Expectancies represent the value of all the future estate gifts that have been documented.
VCU President Michael Rao spoke about the important role the MCV Society plays in stewarding key constituents. Remarks were also made by MCV Foundation Board Chair Harry Thalhimer, Massey Cancer Director Dr. Gordon Ginder and Massey Cancer Center Founding Director Dr. Walter Lawrence Jr.
Dr. Lawrence was honored with the inaugural MCV Society Lifetime Achievement Award, given in appreciation of his leadership, dedication and service to Massey Cancer Center and the MCV Campus.
“No one exemplifies the legacy of the Medical College of Virginia or the future of VCU Health more than Walter Lawrence,” said Harry Thalhimer. “His outstanding work, compassion and commitment to healthcare and the community truly sets the gold standard. As a great friend of our family, the VCU community, and as my surgeon – I can think of no greater honor than recognizing Walter today with our first Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Dr. Lawrence thanked the MCV Foundation for its fundraising role with the MCV Campus and Massey. He also spoke about the importance of leaving a legacy in philanthropy, citing the Thalhimer family as an example of support to this community and campus.
“It’s wonderful to see Harry Thalhimer in a leadership role on the MCV Campus,” said Dr. Lawrence. “I knew his parents well — Harry’s mom Rhoda was a leader on the Board of Visitors, providing strong support for our developing a cancer center, and his dad Charles chaired the board of the MCV Foundation. Both provided us much more support than just their generous financial gifts.”
Dr. Lawrence recently celebrated his 92nd birthday and was also honored with a happy birthday serenade from the 160 guests. This was the largest turnout yet at an MCV Society event.
Since 1994, the MCV Society has recognized those who have made provisions in their estate planning to support the MCV Campus. Members who make a bequest to Massey are also inducted into The Lawrence Society, named for Dr. Lawrence.
To learn more about naming the MCV Foundation or any of our MCV Campus Partners as a beneficiary in your will, charitable trust or retirement plan, visit our planned giving page or contact Jane Garnet Brown.
