By Sian Wilkerson

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Robertson School, part of the College of Humanities and Sciences, is embracing its ongoing evolution with a new name: the Richard T. Robertson School of Communication.

On April 23, the school – formerly the Robertson School of Media and Culture – celebrated its renaming in a ceremony at the Temple Building Courtyard, marking a change that reflects the full range of its 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 Catherine Ingrassia, Ph.D., dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences. “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.”

In 2014, the then-School of Mass Communications was renamed in honor of alum and retired television executive Richard T. “Dick” Robertson. At the time, the name was changed to recognize Robertson’s ongoing support of VCU as well as to better reflect changes in the communications profession.

A decade later, “this renaming represents a natural progression for our school as we continue to adapt to the rapidly transforming media and communication industries,” said Peyton Rowe, director of the Robertson School. “It reaffirms our dedication to empowering students as ethical, creative and forward-thinking leaders prepared to shape the future of communications.”