Attendees at the MCV Campus retired faculty event

Celebrating 175 Years of Faculty Service on the MCV Campus

On Nov. 14, 2013, more than 150 MCV Campus retired faculty members, their spouses and guests gathered at the Omni Richmond Hotel to help celebrate the 175th anniversary of the founding of the university.

Dr. Christopher Howard and Dr. William Kotti
Dr. Christopher B. Howard (left) and Dr. William P. Kotti.

Representatives from schools across the MCV Campus, including Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy joined VCU leaders and other guests in celebrating the impact faculty have made in patient care, education and research over the course of the 175 years since the university was established.

On Dec. 1, 1837, the president and trustees of Hampden-Sydney College created a medical department to be located in Richmond. This department opened its doors on Nov. 3, 1838, in the old Union Hotel located at the corner of 19th and Main streets. There were 46 students enrolled in the first class, which lasted from Nov. 3, 1838 until April 4, 1839.

The celebration featured a video of the history of the MCV Campus as well as remarks from VCU President Dr. Michael Rao and Hampden-Sydney President Dr. Christopher B. Howard. Dr. Howard presented a resolution to VCU from the Hampden-Sydney Board of Trustees honoring the university on the occasion of its 175th anniversary.

Dr. Sheldon M. Retchin, CEO of the VCU Health System and senior vice president for health sciences, and Dr. William P. Kotti, MCV Foundation president, also addressed the guests. Many of the retired faculty present had served for more than 30 years, with a few serving on the faculty for upwards of 50 years.

To see more photos from this event, check out the event gallery.