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Alumni and student spotlightsAlumni entrepreneur | Student accomplishments Alumni entrepreneurPaul McCann, ’92 McCann and his new enterprise, the Parched Group LLC, were featured prominently in an Aug. 2, 2006, Richmond Times-Dispatch business story. McCann started distilling vodka after noticing that most premium vodkas were imported. After 18 months of experimenting, McCann now cooks up 400 pounds of Virginia-grown potatoes a day to produce Cirrus Vodka, which is sold in Virginia ABC stores and at local establishments. His product has shown success on the market — so much so that he plans to expand his business in the near future. Cirrus competes for shelf space with Smirnoff, Grey Goose and Absolut. Student accomplishmentsSarah Cohen Cohen credits clinical psychologists Dace Svikis, Ph.D., and James McCullough, Ph.D., as the two most influential members in her educational journey at VCU. Cohen was able to work with Svikis at the Nelson Clinic, allowing her the opportunity to study research applicable to the community setting. Of McCullough, Cohen says, “He is the most passionate faculty member I’ve ever worked under when it comes to applying science to patients.” Cohen sees herself following in the footsteps of McCullough but rather than focus on choric depressives as he does, she will devote her life’s work to those with substance abuse problems. Upperclassmen lend a hand STAR’s mission is to help new students become more acclimated to their unique urban surroundings at VCU, and the university’s upperclassmen play a major role in making sure this mission is accomplished. The volunteer upperclassmen receive two weeks of training at the end of May, and begin their position as orientation assistants in June when STAR begins.
Incoming freshman Kristen Baxley said that the orientation assistants advised “talking to everyone and make as many friends as possible … everyone has something to say.” In fact the STAR mentors encouraged all new students to eat together in the Shafer Court Dining Hall so that the students could get to know each other. Once new students themselves, the orientation assistants understand the importance of getting a helping hand during this time of adjustment, and they are happy to lend one. |
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Paul McCann is an owner, founder and lone employee of the Parched Group LLC and has recently ventured into selling his Cirrus brand vodka in the Richmond market. McCann, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from VCU and a master’s degree in environmental health from Old Dominion University, invested one-half million dollars two years ago to explore and develop his creative tendencies. 
Virginia Commonwealth University student Sarah Cohen is on the express train to becoming a clinical psychologist. One year ahead of schedule, the 26-year-old from Fairfield, Conn., recently won the VCU Outstanding Master’s Student Award, a $500 scholarship that helped cover her school expenses. With the additional financial assistance, Cohen was able to save money for a trip to Baltimore, Md., where she presented her thesis, “Panic Disorder, Trait Anxiety, Alcohol Use in Pregnant and Non Pregnant Women,” at the Research Society on Alcoholism.
The last week before fall semester begins at VCU the energy level noticeably increases as students return to campus. Many of these students are new to the university. To help these incoming freshmen and transfer students adjust to their surroundings, orientation assistants from the Students, Transitions, Advising and Registration program, better known as 
VCU senior Theresa Saylars, a history major and first-year orientation assistant, says of the many topics covered with the new students that, “developing a relationship with your advisor is key.” The College of Humanities and Sciences advisors scheduled their next meeting with their students at the first advising session. “We suggested that all new students take the initiative to do the same and set up multiple meetings with their advisors,” Saylars commented.