February 2021

BACK TO [ZOOM] SCHOOL

Given the university-wide delay in the start of in-person classes, we welcomed our students back virtually at the end of January.

We continue to be so proud of our faculty for their quick pivot to virtual instruction, as well as our students for being flexible and resilient. The university will make a decision about returning to campus by early March.

Keep tabs on the semester by following us on social @vcu_brandcenter.

INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL TOUR

Feeling nostalgic for the Cocoon or Lecture Hall? Check out our new Brandcenter Interactive Virtual Tour: a 3D look at the award-winning space we call home.

Given our limited building access due to COVID-19, we were excited to begin using this tool for prospective student visits in January.

THANK YOU, RECENT DONORS

We are so appreciative of the support from our alumni community. A very special thanks to these recent donors; their contributions directly support students in their pursuit of a Brandcenter education.

• Josh Browne (CW, 2019)
• Ted Burdett (CBM, 2008)
• Tommy Cottam (CBM, 2010)
• Daniel Gibson
• Team Graves
• Grant Heston
• Ali Katz (ST, 2015)
• Katherine Overby
• Michael Soroosh (ST, 2005)
• Lighthouse Labs
• Next Adventure
• Team One USA
• The Martin Agency
• Quad

SCHOLARSHIPS UPDATE

Scholarships are critically important in supporting students' dreams to pursue careers powered by the Brandcenter. We are thrilled that since August, your gifts have collected more than $100,000 for the three endowed scholarships, allowing us to expand equity and diversity both at the Brandcenter and in our industry.

Now get ready, our Brandcenter Day of Giving celebrating our 25th anniversary is up next!

During the Brandcenter Day of Giving, the entire BrandFam comes together to support a wide range of funds, from the Annual Fund that supports unrestricted and highest priority needs to the general Brandcenter Scholarship Fund.

Brandcenter Day of Giving will be in April 2021. Stay tuned for more details.

REMEMBERING PAT HULL

The Brandcenter community was saddened by the loss of Pat Hull (center left), entrepreneur, innovator, and advocate of the Brandcenter. 

In March of 2018, Pat committed $50,000 to the Brandcenter to create the Hull Foundation Endowed Scholarship. Through the scholarship, Pat wanted to support the dreams and education of students who were interested in entrepreneurship or wanted to establish their own businesses. And he did just that. His scholarship has impacted the lives of entrepreneurial students just like him. 

We are so thankful that Pat Hull shared his life, talent, and treasure with the Brandcenter. Through the Hull Foundation Endowed Scholarship, his legacy will continue to live on and impact the world through Brandcenter students for generations to come.

LITTLE FREE ART GALLERY

We've all seen the Little Free Libraries scattered throughout cities, but Stacy Milrany (AD, 1998) is taking a new approach in her Seattle neighborhood. She opened a Little Free Art Gallery in December: "The idea is pretty simple—anyone is welcome to leave a piece, take a piece or just have a look around and enjoy what’s inside,” said Milrany in a Washington Post article.

LEARN MORE >>

EVERY DAY HOLIDAY

What's one way to make 2021 a little more special? Celebrate a new holiday—Every. Single. Day.

Brandcenter alums Allie Carr (CW, 2018) and Jason Goldberg (AD, 2017) are behind "Every Day Holiday," an initiative they started to help bring a little cheer into the new year. Together they identified a recognized holiday for each day in 2021 (think, "National Puzzle Day" and "National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day") and are celebrating on their Instagram.