RICHMOND, Va. – A picturesque spring day on campus saw alumni, donors and students gathered in the T. Edward Temple Building courtyard on Wednesday, April 23, to celebrate the official unveiling of the newly-minted Richard T. Robertson School of Communication.
The school’s namesake Richard T. “Dick” Robertson was in attendance alongside Catherine Ingrassia, Ph.D., dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences, and Peyton Rowe, director of the Robertson School, to present the new name.
The school’s new name was chosen to mirror the evolution of communication and to better encompass the school’s main fields of study including journalism, advertising, public relations, media production and other emerging areas of communication.
“The Robertson School has always been defined by its ability to adapt to industry shifts while maintaining unwavering standards of excellence and ethical practice,” said Ingrassia. “This renaming honors that legacy while positioning our students and alumni for continued success in an increasingly interconnected media environment. The transition to the Robertson School of Communication represents a thoughtful evolution that better captures the comprehensive nature of our programs and the diverse career paths of our graduates.”
Rowe added, “This renaming represents a natural progression for our school as we continue to adapt to the rapidly transforming media and communication industries. It reaffirms our dedication to empowering students as ethical, creative and forward-thinking leaders prepared to shape the future of communications.”
A foundational experience
Robertson took the podium to share his experiences as a student at the then Richmond Professional Institute (RPI) and reveled in his time with a fellow RPI grad, Doug Burford of Burford Advertising Inc., who was in attendance. The pair were a part of the final graduating class of RPI in 1967 before the school merged with the Medical College of Virginia to become VCU.
"None of [my career success] would have happened without this opportunity that this school, and quite, frankly, this city gave me,” Robertson said. “How different my life might've been, and that is why I've felt so strongly about giving back and being a part of this school."
He then shared “the secret sauce” offered by VCU that he discovered as a student, and that helped launch him on his career path, from a young professional working sales at Richmond’s WWBT news station to its culmination as president of Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.
"When you graduate, you don't really have to think about what you're going to do because you've been studying what you want to do from day one ... [The Robertson School] provides a seamless transition from the classroom to the working world,” Robertson said.
Hardworking, creative and dynamic
Ingrassia and Rowe also reflected on the Robertson School’s name and its connection to the man.
“The work he did as an undergraduate is a model for the kinds of experiences we find essential for our students today,” Ingrassia said. “The Richard T. Robertson name announces that Robertson grads are hardworking, creative and dynamic, just like the namesake himself.”
“Dick has always been innovative, stayed ahead of the changing industry and met his audience where they are,” Rowe said. “It only makes sense the school named after him should do the same.”
Following the conclusion of the ceremony, the attendees gathered for a light hors d’oeuvres. Faculty and alumni reunited, and Robertson individually spoke with students in attendance, elaborating on his experiences and offering more advice.
For more information about the Richard T. Robertson School of Communication name change, click here to read the official announcement.