VCU University History Books

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  A Personal History of the Department of Biology

  Margaret L. May

  Former faculty member Margaret May recounts the history and development of the Department of Biology at Virginia Commonwealth University.

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  Evolution of physical therapy at the Medical College of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University

  Mary Snyder Shall

  The Physical Therapy Department at Virginia Commonwealth University was founded in 1931 as part of the College of William and Mary’s Richmond division, becoming Virginia’s first program in the field of physical therapy. Through archived files, yearbooks and interviews with faculty and alumni, this book describes important events of the department’s first 80 years and highlights the faculty members and alumni who influenced the local and national development of the profession.

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  Ab initio : a new concept in engineering education, a history of the design, creation and implementation of a new School of Engineering in Richmond, Virginia (1990-2000)

  Henry A. McGee Jr.

  Dr. Henry A. McGee, Jr., Founding Dean Emeritus of the School of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University, chronicles the history of the School of Engineering through his term as Founding Dean, 1994–1999. McGee details the process of creating a program aimed to balance innovation and entrepreneurship.

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  Origins and development of the Massey Cancer Center

  Walter Lawrence Jr.

  A history of the Massey Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University written by Director Emeritus, Walter Lawrence, Jr., M.D. The volume includes photographs and a timeline. Lawrence's signature appears on the title page.

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  A golden foundation for building the future

  Founded in 1949, the Department of Health Administration at Virginia Commonwealth University has been recognized as one of the first programs of its kind and as one of America’s first distance-learning programs. This book explores how the department evolved with healthcare during its first 50 years and describes the department's growth, including PhD research, the Grant House, and international studies.

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  A Proud Heritage : 100 Years of Nursing Education

  Virginia Commonwealth University

  In the late 1980s, nursing alumni, faculty, and students began planning for the one hundredth anniversary observance of the founding of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing. The school traces its rich heritage back to the organization of the Virginia Hospital Training School for Nurses which opened in 1893. Betsy A. Bampton (MCV Class of 1960) undertook the writing of a school history published as the centennial celebration was set to begin. In this abundantly illustrated work, Bampton and her collaborators chronicle the development and growth of the eight diverse schools and programs that formed the foundation of the VCU School of Nursing. The stories unveiled in A Proud Heritage are integral to a full understanding of the VCU School of Nursing today.

  The original publication was distributed widely both within the VCU community and beyond, but few copies remain to circulate among new students and friends of the school. The VCU Libraries, working in cooperation with the School of Nursing, is pleased to make available an electronic version of this useful book. A Proud Heritage is just one of several electronic resources available for those interested in the study of the history of nursing in Virginia.

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  A Medical College of Virginia story

  Ricki D. Carruth

  Despite its lack of public acclaim until the 1970s, the Medical College of Virginia provided remarkable medical care since its founding in 1837. With the aim to recognize MCV’s history and progress, this book chronicles the college’s first 150 years. Details of MCV’s development are discussed in context of major historical events including World Wars I and II, the 1918 influenza outbreak, and technological advancements.

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  School of Pharmacy, a history

  Warren E. Weaver

  Since the beginnings of the Medical College of Virginia (MCV), the School of Pharmacy at Virginia Commonwealth University has been a leader in pharmacy education. This book traces the history of the School of Pharmacy up to the time of its publication in 1988. Topics covered include the merging of MCV and University College of Medicine, the development of bachelors, masters and doctoral programs, changes in curriculum along with advances in the field, and the history of the school’s facilities.

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  Past, present, and future, 1917-1987 : School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University

  A history of the School of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University.

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  Medical College of Virginia Hospitals 125 Years of health care 1861 - 1986

  Hunter H. McGuire

  The Medical College of Virginia (MCV) grew in size and reputation in the latter half of the twentieth century, amid a time of technological advancements in the medical field and the rise of teaching hospitals. Starting with the opening of the College Infirmary in 1861, this book follows the history of MCV’s hospitals. Also discussed is MCV’s role during the Civil War, contributions to the college, and William T. Sanger’s influence on the school’s growth. The book includes photos of the buildings and a timeline of the hospitals.

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  A Historical Bulletin of the Saint Philip School of Nursing and Alumnae

  During the first quarter of the twentieth century, when southern law and social practice demanded segregated facilities, the Medical College of Virginia established a separate school of nursing for African American women to provide trained personnel for the St. Philip Hospital. The Saint Philip School of Nursing opened with the hospital in the fall of 1920 and graduated 791 nurses during its 42-year history. The story of the school is told in A Historical Bulletin of the Saint Philip School of Nursing and Alumnae Association. It includes a general history, information on the curriculum, listing of the faculty, rosters of graduates, class photographs, and other information related to the school.

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  A History of the Richmond Professional Institute : From Its Beginning in 1917 to Its Consolidation with the Medical College of Virginia in 1968 to Form Virginia Commonwealth University

  Henry Horace Hibbs

  A History of the Richmond Professional Institute: From Its Beginning in 1917 to Its Consolidation With the Medical College of Virginia in 1968 to Form Virginia Commonwealth University was written by Dr. Henry H. Hibbs, Jr. (1887-1977), long-time leader of Richmond Professional Institute (RPI).

  After he retired, Dr. Hibbs was paid a consultant's fee to write this book on the history of RPI. He designated VCU as the sole recipient of profits from the sale of the book. The alumni associations of VCU and the Richmond Professional Institute Foundation were involved in editing the book before it was published in 1973. It was sold by VCU in a limited publication run. Many of the copies were signed by the author.

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  Medical College of Virginia before 1925, and University College of Medicine 1893-1913

  William T. Sanger

  The first North American hospitals were built in Virginia in 1611. Virginia continued to set hospital and health education trends with the establishment of the Department of Medicine in Richmond, later known as the School of Medicine, in 1837. Through data largely compiled by former secretary-treasurer of the College, J.R. McCauley, this book covers the early history of the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) and the history of health services education in Virginia from 1893 to 1913. Major events covered in this book include the effects of World War I on the College and the unsuccessful proposals to consolidate MCV with the University of Virginia and the University of Richmond.

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  As I remember

  William T. Sanger

  William T. Sanger (1885-1975) narrates his rise as president, then chancellor, of the Medical College of Virginia (MCV). This autobiography details Sanger’s early childhood, admission to college, early career, and presidency of MCV. Through Sanger’s recollections, As I Remember serves both as a personal memoir and a history of MCV and medical education in Virginia.

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  School of Nursing, Medical College of Virginia : 75 Years, 1893 - 1968

  This book offers a brief history of the School of Nursing at the Medical College of Virginia from 1893 to 1968. The collection includes short biographies of Sadie Heath Cabaniss, Agnes Dillion Randolph, Elizabth Reitz, E. Louis Grant, and Frances Tunnell. Images of nursing uniforms, diplomas, and staff are included.

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  An art school : some reminiscences : an account of the early beginnings and development of the School of Art of the Virginia Commonwealth University--as told by its first teacher

  Theresa Pollak

  A history of the early years of the School of Art at Virginia Comonwealth University.

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  Better service to a larger public

  Before the 1800s, no schools of pharmacy existed in the United States, and most doctors served as their own pharmacists. The mid-nineteenth century saw many changes to the medical and pharmacy professions. Better Service to a Larger Public provides a brief history of early pharmacies and the School of Pharmacy at the Medical College of Virginia. This history tracks the transformation of pharmacy education from being a part of medical courses to the foundation of the School of Pharmacy at MCV. This document also discusses the inclusion and admission of women to the program. Images of drug receipts, laboratories, and students are included.

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  Encouraging Excellence: commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the School of Dentistry

  Joann Spitler

  This book celebrates the 75th anniversary of the School of Dentistry at the Medical College of Virginia (MCV). In 1897, the School of Dentistry was founded at MCV. Through biographies, images, and brief histories, this book details major benchmarks of the school’s history. This document also includes a brief description of the dentistry profession and images of antique dentistry equipment. The document concludes with biographies of the deans of the School of Dentistry.

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  Report of the Commission to Plan for the Establishment of a Proposed State-supported University in the Richmond Metropolitan Area [Edward A. Wayne, Chairman]

  Virginia. Commission to Plan for the Establishment of a Proposed State-supported University in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

  After the 1965 Bird Commission recommended the creation of a state university in Richmond, the state legislature named a commission to develop an implementation plan headed by Edward A. Wayne Sr., president of the Richmond Federal Reserve Bank.

  Their recommendation, supported by the Governor and General Assembly, was the creation of Virginia Commonwealth University. Wayne was named vice-rector of the first Board of Visitors of VCU, and the University's Wayne Medal honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions or provided exemplary service to VCU.

  This is the full text of the 1967 report, entitled "Report of the Commission to plan for the establishment of a proposed state-supported university in the Richmond Metropolitan Area."

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  Report of the Higher Education Study Commission [to the Governor and the General Assembly of Virginia]

  Virginia Commission on Higher Education and John Dale Russell

  This 1965 Report of the Higher Education Commission, appointed by Governor Albertis S. Harrison, Jr., was created to review higher education in Virginia to be used as a basis for long-range planning by the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Commission was led by Senator Lloyd C. Bird and supported by the staff of the State Council for Higher Education. Divided into eleven sections, this 200-page report details information including geographical location of students, library services, and different instructional services.

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  The First 125 Years : 1838-1963

  The Medical College of Virginia (MCV) marked the 125th anniversary of its founding with a year-long celebration in 1963, culminating in the publication of The First 125 Years. Issued as hard- and soft-back publications in the college's bulletin series, the 96-page photo history received many favorable reviews. The book is largely the work of Thelma Vaine Hoke, although she received no formal attribution on the cover or title page of the work. Hoke began her career at MCV in 1932 as secretary for college president William T. Sanger. Over the years she served as the college information bureau, publications director, records manager, and an instructor in the School of Hospital Administration. She earned the sobriquet "majordomo, boss-ma'am, and factotum-at-large for the Medical College of Virginia" from the Richmond News Leader at the time of her retirement in 1966.

  Hoke pulled photographs, letters, documents, reports, and publications for the book from a rich collection of historical materials gathered and preserved by James Ralph McCauley, who served as secretary-treasurer for the college and secretary for the Board of Visitors from 1902 until his death in 1950. McCauley had researched many aspects of the college's history and left detailed notes that Hoke found invaluable while compiling The First 125 Years. MCV President Robert Blackwell Smith's address to the Newcomen Society of North America on September 26, 1963 served as the books main historical narrative. Around this story Hoke placed photo captions, sidebars, contemporary documents, and short articles to present the college's first full-length history. Col. John H. Heil, Jr., Secretary of the MCV Board of Visitors noted: "This permanent record of the history of the institution is one which will be a frequent source for material and a constant reminder of the importance of MCV in the state and community."

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  Memorial Hospital 1903

  The Charlotte Williams Memorial Hospital, a private hospital in Richmond, Virginia, opened as a private hospital in 1903. The hospital advertised its aim as relieving "suffering humanity by every means known to medical science." It had private rooms for paying patients and separate wards for "charity" patients. The aim was to make no profit and increase the number of free beds quickly. The hospital was deeded to the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) in 1913 and used as a teaching hospital; it later housed nursing students. In 1986, the building was sold, and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) headquarters expanded into it. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

  This pamphlet recounts information about Memorial Hospital from its opening in 1903. It includes lists of officers, the Board of Trustees, the Executive Committee, medical staff, and financial contributors. Additionally, it details the location and construction of the building, the hospital's charter from the General Assembly of Virginia, regulations for patients, private room and ward information, visiting hours, forms for establishing memorial beds, and becoming a subscriber for maintaining free cases, and floor plans of the hospital. Photographs of the interior and exterior of the hospital are included throughout.