Public and private money helps Richmond-area schools expand

A man walks across a campus courtyard at VCU in Richmond.

By: Karin Kapsidelis | Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: January 25, 2009

Virginia Commonwealth University has a new critical-care hospital in downtown Richmond, an environmental life-sciences center that opened in the fall on the James River and a campus in Qatar that just celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Those buildings are about more than bricks and mortar, says VCU Rector Thomas Rosenthal. They represent "a remarkable testament to the reach and breadth of this university."

VCU is not alone in expanding the imprint it has made on Richmond and beyond.

Even in uncertain economic times, universities are pursuing ambitious agendas, fueled by the generosity of friends and symbiotic ties to their communities.

Large bequests to universities and their foundations have helped schools finance expansions.

VCU's new $2.6 million Inger and Walter Rice Center on the James River off state Route 5, for example, was built entirely from foundation funds. The center is on 342 acres donated by Inger Rice, who also gave much of the funding to build the center.

At the University of Richmond, ground has been broken on three major projects financed primarily through donations. Scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2010 are the $10 million Westhampton Center, an expanded facility for women's programs; a $25 million stadium with seating for 8,700; and the $20.4 million Carole Weinstein International Center.

In the fall, Randolph-Macon College in Ashland announced gifts of $7.5 million to help build residence halls, a science building and permanent stands for the football field.

While private donors help provide the mortar for many projects at public schools, the bricks still come from the state. In April, the General Assembly approved a $1.4 billion bond package that includes more than $350 million for public colleges. The schools to be aided by the bonds, the amount and the projects include:

VCU: $58 million toward a new School of Medicine, $5.9 million for renovations at the Massey Cancer Center and $5 million for renovations at the School of Pharmacy;

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College: $10.8 million to renovate its downtown facility;

John Tyler Community College: $1.6 million for library renovations at the Chester campus;

Virginia State University: $22.4 million to renovate and expand Hunter McDaniel Hall, and $14 million for a multipurpose center; and

Richard Bland College: $19 million to build a science and technology center, and $4.9 million toward a maintenance project.

Contact Karin Kapsidelis at (804) 649-6119 or kkapsidelis@timesdispatch.com.