The Endowed Scholarship Brunch brings together donors with the students who benefit from endowed scholarships on the MCV Campus. Pictured: Back Row Left to Right: Shirley Gibson, D.N.P.; Jeanette Cain; Lola Adelakun; Front Row, Left to Right: Ginny Crone; MCV Foundation board member Charles Crone; Michael Tuggle and Jacquelyn Tuggle share a table at the MCV Campus Endowed Scholarship Brunch. Photos: Penelope Carrington and Tyler Trumbo
The Endowed Scholarship Brunch brings together donors with the students who benefit from endowed scholarships on the MCV Campus. This year, the event was held in person for the first time since 2019.
Left to Right: Art Kellermann, M.D., M.P.H., CEO of VCU Health; Deepak Thomas, M.D.; Corey Williams, a third-year medical student and scholarship recipient; Mareen Thomas, M.D.; and Leila Taaffe. Williams received a scholarship created by Drs. Deepak and Mareen Thomas.
Camille Shrier (left), former Miss America and current VCU School of Pharmacy student, and Judith Forehand Starkey, an MCV Foundation board member, shared remarks with the 250 people in attendance at the MCV Campus Endowed Scholarship Brunch in March.
Left to Right: Joseph D. Wilkins, D.P.T.; Tonya Parris-Wilkins, D.D.S.; MCV Foundation Leadership Council member Jim Revere, D.D.S.; and Michaela Banks are donors and scholarship recipients at the VCU School of Dentistry.
Endowed Scholarship Brunch Returns to the Jefferson
At high noon in late March, an excited crowd assembled in the Jefferson’s Grand Ballroom for the foundation’s first major in-person event since 2020.
“We were so thrilled to be able to return to hosting this event in person,” said Margaret Ann Bollmeier, the foundation’s president and CEO. “It is particularly gratifying to bring together scholarship recipients with the donors who created those scholarships.”
More than 500 endowed scholarships supported health sciences students on the MCV Campus, and donors created 27 new scholarships since the virtual celebration last year. All told, around $2.7 million in support was available for students this academic year.
The foundation’s Endowed Scholarship Brunch allows MCV Campus students the opportunity to meet the donors who made their scholarships possible and to share their gratitude for the support and fellowship over a great meal. The event also features perspectives from both a donor and a student.
Two years ago, MCV Foundation trustee Judi Forehand Starkey established a scholarship at the VCU School of Nursing after being inspired by the compassionate care of neonatal nurses she witnessed when touring VCU Health.
“It was very rewarding to me to know that I have helped wonderful nurses and that they in turn will benefit so many others through their care,” Starkey said. “I was impressed with how easy it was to set up a scholarship, and now I look forward to helping it grow and helping many future nurses. I know firsthand how the foundation takes excellent care of the endowments and all donations, so I am confident this fund will be managed well and have an impact.”
From the student perspective, Camille Schrier, Pharm.D. Class of 2024, offered her personal story of how scholarships have made her dreams possible. Two years ago, she was beginning her reign as Miss America 2020 when the pandemic hit. Scholarship support helped finance her education at the VCU School of Pharmacy and gave her a national platform to launch initiatives on drug safety and promoting the sciences for young women.
“I know personally how scholarships make advanced education and careers in health care possible,” Schrier said. “Scholarships have lifted an incredible burden off my shoulders while studying at VCU, and I am thankful for those whose generosity has supported so many students on the MCV Campus.”
If you are interested in supporting an existing student scholarship or starting a new fund, please contact Brian Thomas, the foundation’s vice president and chief development officer.
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