Official opening at VSU // Virginia State University officials and special guests help to cut the ribbon on the new $84 million VSU Multipurpose Center on campus that will host university and community events. The official ribbon cutting coincided with the university’s 134th Founders’ Day convocation, with retired Brig. Gen. Sheila Baxter, a 1977 VSU alumna, giving the keynote address. The event also observed the 100th anniversary of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or ROTC. Brig. Gen. Baxter, who initially was commissioned in 1978 through the ROTC, was the first African-American female to be promoted to brigadier general in the Army Medical Service Corps in 2003. Participating in the ribbon cutting are, from left, VSU Vice Rector Willie Randall, VSU President Makola Abdullah, Delegate Lashrecse Aird, Chesterfield Board of Supervisors Chairman Steve Elswick and Chesterfield’s Dale District Supervisor James Holland.
