Goldie Zimberg

In 1951, Goldie Zimberg (B.A.’72) moved back to Richmond with her husband, Yale H. Zimberg, M.D. (M.D.’51, H.S.’56), for his surgical residency program at the Medical College of Virginia. Years later, she pursued a degree in English at Richmond Professional Institute.

What she found at the institution that became Virginia Commonwealth University was a culturally and racially diverse community and small class settings that allowed her to forge close relationships with professors and fellow students. As an older student and parent of three children, Zimberg considered herself to be an especially valuable contributor to class discussions and debates.

She went on to earn a law degree from the University of Richmond in 1980 and built a successful career as an estate attorney. Zimberg’s pride as a VCU alumna was strong, and her VCU diploma was displayed prominently in her home as a reminder of her determination and success.

Knowing the extra effort nontraditional students need to earn an undergraduate degree, Zimberg established a scholarship in December 2014 to support students beginning or returning to school later in life.

Zimberg, who died in 2023, hoped the scholarship would inspire and encourage others to pursue the same educational goals that she achieved as a student.

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to give back and provide other nontraditional, older students with the chance to study at VCU,” she said. “With the rising costs of tuition, I know scholarships are more important than ever.”