The Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar, honored the hard work and dedication of its faculty and staff with the first Faculty Service Awards Banquet held in Education City. Special guest Joseph H. Seipel, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of Graduate Studies from VCU, Richmond Virginia came from the United States especially for the ceremonies. He noted, “It is primarily the work of the faculty and staff who have made VCUQ one of the premiere programs in the Middle East. Their efforts and unselfish contribution to the program have given the Gulf a truly world-class center for a design education.”
VCUQ faculty John Schmeelk celebrated his 30-year anniversary, while Fashion Design Area Coordinator Sandra Wilkins celebrated 25 years of dedication and Fashion Design Faculty Donald Early celebrated his 20-year anniversary. Mary McLaughlin, Area Coordinator for Art Foundation celebrated 15 years of service with VCU, while Karl Burkheimer and Dean Christina Lindholm celebrated their 10 years with the Virginia Commonwealth University.
Individuals celebrating their 5 year anniversaries included, Liaison Officer, Mohammad Ali; Librarians Eman Mazhar Hamama, Beena Noorudeen; Faculty Lisa Clayton, Betsy McKenney, Peter Martin, Kathleen Ferguson-Huntington, Robin Fetherston, Kipp Greene, Benjamin Hannam, Leland Hill, Randall Williams; Administrative Assistants Mona Mohammed, Amna Mohammed; and General Clerks Ibrahim Gafoor and Liaqat Murad. Director of Human Resources William Barker stated that “It is wonderful that we are recognizing the contributions of the faculty and staff. Quite a few of the people have been at VCUQ in Doha from the very beginning. It is this combination of faculty and local hires that is behind VCUQ’s success.”
Each Year, VCU Richmond holds a Service Awards Program in recognition of the important contributions of faculty and staff to the continued success of the University. Recipients receive their first award of recognition upon completing five years of service and thereafter awards are presented at five year intervals as eligible service accrues.
Being a branch campus of VCU Richmond, VCUQ held its own Service Awards Ceremony in recognition of the tireless and enthusiastic efforts of its faculty and staff. Dean Christina Lindholm stated, “At VCUQ we have a number of staff and faculty who have earned this award and we are proud to recognize their time of service, loyalty, enthusiasm and commitment to the continued success of VCUQ in Education City.”
About VCUQ:
VCUQ offers specialized programs in three different design professions. Students can earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in communication design, fashion design, or interior design. Highly qualified professors provide rigorous curricula that prepare students to assume leadership roles in the professional field of their choice. VCUQ also organizes exhibitions, gallery events, world-class design conferences, and annual fashion shows. VCUQ is supported and funded by the Qatar Foundation. For more information please visit www.vcu.edu/artweb/vcu_qatar
About Qatar Foundation:
Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development is a private non-profit organization founded in 1995 by the Emir and head of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani. The vision of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, the chairperson of Qatar Foundation, has established a revolutionary educational initiative that brings first-class educational programs and organizations to both Qatari citizens and people throughout the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.qf.org.qa.
