Return to Main Menu

Donor establishes fund in honor of West The announcement that an anonymous donor has pledged $50,000 to establish a fund in honor of Valerie T. West, Ed.D., associate dean of academic affairs for the College of Health Professions, surprised guests at the college’s fall convocation. The fund is earmarked for educational equipment and other teaching and learning technologies. It is the donor’s intent that the Valerie T. West Educational Technology Fund will be used upon completion of the college’s proposed new building. West has served the college in a number of capacities since she joined MUSC. She began her career as a faculty member in the Health Information Administration Program and went on to chair the Department of Professional Development. She has also served as assistant dean, associate dean, and interim dean from 1990-91 and 1998-99. She currently serves as associate dean for academic affairs. Actively involved in the educational mission of the university, West’s interactions with the Bachelor of Health Sciences and Continuing Education Program helped form her strong commitment to statewide outreach and the use of educational technology to enrich learning and enable access. She served on the University Education Committee and was active in establishing a universitywide strategic plan for education. She was recognized by her colleagues as the college’s Teacher of the Year in 1990, and selected as one of the Governor’s Distinguished Professors in 1991. West was truly surprised and honored by the announcement of this fund. She said that the establishment of this fund is one of the most meaningful recognitions she could imagine.  “I am humbled by this most generous gift, and truly delighted that the college has received support for technology and learning. It is my hope that the fund will grow and contribute to our efforts to obtain a state-of-the-art building. I extend my deepest appreciation to the donor for this generous gift, especially because it will support something that has such great personal meaning for me.”