Division of Inclusive Excellence

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Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment

At the 2024 PACME celebration: (from left to right) Catherine Ingrassia, Ph.D., Dean, College of Humanities and Sciences; Shawn Utsey, Ph.D., professor of psychology and acting chair of the Department of African American Studies; Faye Z. Belgrave, Ph.D., vice president and chief diversity officer; Michael Rao, Ph.D., VCU president

About PACME 

The Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment recognizes those VCU and VCU Health individuals and groups who have made exemplary contributions with regard to promoting civility, building community, establishing cross-cultural initiatives, and nurturing an inclusive environment throughout the university and area communities.

PACME recipients are recognized for their exceptional efforts and contributions that go beyond their expected roles, advancing VCU's values of inclusive excellence and fostering a welcoming and supportive environment.

Each award winner will receive $750. In addition, one of the four recipients will be selected to receive the capstone award – The Riese-Melton. This special award is given for contributions made in advancing cross-cultural relations. The awardee will receive an additional $250.

The Riese-Melton Award is a longstanding tradition at VCU, honoring two trailblazers who bridged racial divides during a challenging era. Dr. Walter J. Riese, a professor of neurology and psychiatry at our medical center, boldly advocated for the rights of African American employees at a time when such advocacy was rare. One of these employees, Mr. Herman Melton, dedicated over 50 years of service to the medical center. This award continues as a tribute to their legacy, reminding us of those who helped shape the legacy of the VCU culture that endures today.

Award categories

  • Academic and Administrative Leadership Award (includes administrators, directors, and university organizations)
  • Faculty Award (includes teaching, research, and adjunct faculty)
  • Staff Award (includes classified, hourly, and part-time staff, and university and academic professionals)
  • The Tristen Sloane Student Award (includes graduate and undergraduate students, post-docs, and student organizations)

Nomination forms

Nominations are now open. Members of the VCU and VCU Health community are invited to nominate and recognize a deserving individual or organization at VCU for the PACME award.

Nominations should be submitted electronically, and are due on or before March 3, 2025.

To submit your nominations and letters of support, please complete the nomination form.

Please note: Nominators must submit no more than three letters of support.

Save the date: 2025 PACME Celebration

Join us for the 2025 PACME Celebration on Thursday, April 24, 2025 from 3-5 p.m. in the Lecture Hall, rm 303 at the James Branch Cabell Library. Everyone is invited to attend.

Past winners

The 2024 PACME event was held on April 16, 2024. What a wonderful celebration! Read all about it in the VCU News article.

PACME Recipients from 1994-2024

Questions

For additional information, please email the Division of Inclusive Excellence at inclusive@vcu.edu.