VCU School of Social Work

Paul D. McWhinney, Director of Family Services, Virginia Department of Social Services, Richmond, VA, was recently initiated into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (alumni membership). Mr. McWhinney received both his MSW (1979) and BSW (1974) degrees from the School of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University. Mr. McWhinney has provided – and continues to provide – significant leadership within the social work profession in the state of Virginia. He has also maintained his connection and commitment to VCU and the School of Social Work. He has been a field instructor for the School, supervising both BSW and MSW students in their student internships, and he currently serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the VCU Alumni Association. Please join us in congratulating Mr. McWhinney!

Paul D. McWhinney and Dr. Catherine E. Ingrassia, Phi Kappa Phi President

For the fall service initiative, the staff volunteered at the Richmond Food Bank Community Kitchen preparing meals. The volunteers included eight VCU School of Social Work employees and four other volunteers. Dan Park, Candice Tam, Pam Duffus, and Ashley Vertuno prepared ready-made snacks and meals for the Children of Kids Café and Senior Connections. Lisa Pond, MeMe Boyd, Kristin Hopkins, and Fay Wade compiled healthy snacks into bags for the Children of Kids Café. Close to the end of their shift, Lisa and Fay were scooping meals into trays for the homebound Meals on Wheels recipients. The rest of the staff worked diligently preparing ready-made snack bags for the next day’s volunteers. They put together over 3,500 meals during their four-hour shift that went out that day to Meals on Wheels, Children of Kids Café, and Senior Connections.

Ashley Vertuno, Dan Park, & Candice Tam

MeMe Boyd & Kristin Hopkins

Fay Wade & Lisa Pond

Dan Park, Candice Tam, Pam Duffus, MeMe Boyd, & Kristin Hopkins