To VCU, with love

By

Some walked bravely to a microphone set up in the middle of the Compass. Others responded by email. When we asked people what they loved about Virginia Commonwealth University, we got a heartwarming variety of answers (including one poem) that paint a picture of why VCU is so special to so many.

Below are some of their voices of VCU love.

What I love about VCU is how easy it is to make friends and how diverse it is.

-Lily Ickes, pre-nursing major

What I love about VCU is inclusiveness, positive atmosphere, strong values, commitment to safety and the comprehensive benefits that truly support employees and their families.

-Karen Davis, executive coordinator, Clinical Trials Office, Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

What I love about VCU is the diverse range of clubs that they offer for students.

-Oliva Kim, mass communications major

Some things I love about VCU are the people and the environment.

-Dhruv Kumar, health services major

What I love most about VCU is my roommate, Kiah.

-Denise Penn, photography and film major

My favorite thing about VCU is FACT (Filipino Americans Coming Together) and my roommate, Denise.

-Kiah Tucker, special education and teaching major

I love that VCU is right in the middle of a wonderful city.

-Anne Elise Giroir, painting and printmaking major

I love the diversity at VCU.

-Alexandar Andoh, computer science major

Something I love about VCU is all the ice on the ground. It's very lovely.

-Nathan Persson, graphic design major

The thing I love most about VCU is all my friends.

-Nic Honsharuk, mass communications major

The thing I love about VCU is, honestly, the diversity.

-Miles Dillahunt, forensic science major

What I love most about VCU is how much the Theatre Department has such a passion for their work.

-Miranda Dress, theater major

I just love the community here at VCU.

-Pamela Byers, theater major

VCU sports clubs is what I love most about VCU.

-Jack Kirwan, chemistry major

What I love most about VCU is the diversity.

-Tatiana Walker-Rawlings, nursing and psychology double-major

I love how VCU Globe gave me a space to connect with international students and make lifelong friendships. Fast-forward to today, I will graduate from Tulane Law in May. I have a job in government service in Virginia, but after 10 years, I plan to start my own immigration law firm and service the immigrant community across Virginia and the DMV! VCU helped me feel more connected to my Virginia roots from a young age, while also providing me a space to make international connections. I'm so grateful to have gotten my undergrad education in such a welcoming and collaborative community that casts a wide net and makes educational accessible to so many people.

-Sarah Metzel, alum

What I love the most about VCU is the community here.

-Miracle Eberhardt, biology major

We love the arts program and our friends, all the people we've met.

-Alyssa Abielmona and Maddie Dye, both theater majors

The thing I love about VCU is that it has a growing subculture of people that actually care, that do things not simply for the look of it but do things because they have passion - the fact that there's community and the fact that people here genuinely care about making a difference in society once we inherit the world.

Django Lorenzo, kinetic imaging major

What I love about VCU is the queer community here. That's kind of awesome!

-Ruby Dews, English major

I love the community in VCU and Richmond as a city. It's an awesome city.

-G. Bobburi, psychology major

One thing I love about VCU is all the free spirits that roam around campus. It's just very lively; there's always something fun to do.

-Camari Lawson, interdisciplinary studies major

I love the diversity here at VCU.

-David Black, philosophy major

I love the Chemistry Department.

-Jasmine Washington, chemistry major

And finally, one contributor put her feelings into a poem:

First-generation, I came with a dream,
VCU became the place that shaped me.
BSW, MSW each step aligned,
my calling unfolding in real time.
A former RA with a work-study grind,
paying my way, strengthening heart and mind.
Late nights, early mornings, purpose in view,
every sacrifice drew me closer to truth.
The Writing Center taught me how to write,
to name my voice, to claim my light.
Mentorship spaces showed me connection
how to lead with care, courage, and intention.
Now alum and staff, I walk in grace,
loving the people and the purpose of this place.
Across the academic campus and the health system, too,
working with colleagues committed and true.
My dream and my values finally align,
who I am as Verenda - faith, work, and time.
Government Relations, Community Engagement I serve,
two teams, one mission, rooted in worth.

-Verenda Cobbs, alum and senior manager for civic innovation and partnerships