A Passing Glimpse

Journey of Mentorship by Gary Garbett

Gary Garbett, Senior Communications Lead for VCU Technology Services, has been named Fulbright Specialist for higher education communications and creative advertising mentorship.

Fulbright Specialists are competitively selected based on their knowledge, skill sets, and ability to contribute to global educational projects. The Specialist Roster includes a group of experts who represent a wide range of professional and academic disciplines.

Upon acceptance, Fulbright Specialists remain on the roster for three years. During their tenure, they are matched with projects from more than 150 countries designed by host institutions. Project placements are assigned a time frame of two to six weeks.

“My higher education introduction began as a full-time VCU Art Foundation student in the fall of 1983 while also working a full-time job and starting a family,” says Gary. “Every college student’s path is unguided and unique. Mine certainly was, and that path was mine to make.” Over the next 30 years, Gary earned his undergraduate and two Master’s degrees from VCU, each with honors. Later this month, forty years to almost the exact day of his first VCU class in Franklin Terrace, Gary will begin his next Master’s program concentrating on Media Communications and Leadership from the VCU Robertson School of Media and Culture. “I’m an optimistic life learner.

Mentoring aspiring artists and designers has become significant in my professional journey.

“Organic design of curiosity with planned negative space has always mattered. As an award-winning communication professional and a nationally exhibiting artist, mentoring aspiring artists and designers has become significant in my professional journey,” says Gary. “After a long and rewarding innovative career path, my ability to share and provide direction to others has been a natural progression. It’s allowed me to expand my art prowess while equally growing as a mentor. I’ve welcomed this role as a professor, working with new design interns and hosting visiting international students. Being involved and giving back through each of these relationships is always rewarding and honest.” 

“Being selected for a Fulbright tenure is such a prestigious recognition. I am extremely honored and look forward to being matched with an institution where I can positively impact educational communications while also encouraging students to explore their unique and individual path with purpose.” 

I’m a stickler for details, committed to good design, and was awarded second place in a Cap’n Crunch drawing contest when I was nine years old.

As an approved candidate on the Fulbright Specialist Roster, Gary’s tenure is scheduled through August of 2026. The Specialist program, part of the larger Fulbright exchange offering that includes Fulbright Scholars, pairs U.S. academics and professionals with institutions abroad to share expertise, strengthen relationships, hone skills, gain international experience, and learn about other cultures.

Founded in 2001, the Fulbright program sends 400 U.S. academics abroad each year to complete projects in 160 participating countries. This program was established by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Caught In The Act by Gary Garbett

A look of love.

A look of love.

Cody was caught sneaking his muzzle in my coffee cup for the second day in a row. ‬

I’m pretty sure his stare back at me said... “Ohhhh... I didn’t know that was YOUR coffee. I thought for sure it was a miniature ceramic bowl with some handle thingy on the side.... which is really weird, cuz I don’t have thumbs. I saw it just sitting there on the side table... next to your chair. That was too weird, because how in the world would I get to that tiny bowl without standing on the armrest of your favorite leather chair to lap all the goodness from it? I mean…. you placed it there for me to enjoy all by myself. Right?

And yes, Dad... I do, I do, I do love coffee.

How to Create a Forest by Gary Garbett

Heidi’s first Christmas.

Heidi’s first Christmas.

The spirit of Christmas has always filled my heart with hope and love. Becoming a grandfather this year added more zest to my life than I could have ever imagined. I love that child. She fills my soul.

This year, I started a new holiday tradition... all to celebrate Heidi. Each year, our decorations will include a live Christmas tree. Once all the presents are unwrapped and the holidays are complete, I’ll plant each year’s Christmas tree around the ranch.

I look forward to Heidi and me walking around to see all of her trees. Maybe, we’ll even decorate a few each year with glittery jingles, homemade ornaments, and blinking lights. Then the two of us can sit together, celebrate another new year, and watch Heidi’s trees reach just a little closer to the stars than they did the year before.

I love helping Santa.

I love helping Santa.

I hope the holidays fill your soul with love and happiness. Neither requires a fancy ribbon, and they are absolutely the greatest gift you will ever give or receive.

As a side note, since this was the first year of my new holiday tradition, I began this year by purchasing three trees. I couldn't help myself. They were all just too perfect. And technically, one is a rosemary bush tree... a large, beautiful, and fragrant rosemary bush Christmas tree. And c'mon... honestly, how could Heidi and I begin her forest with just one tree?

Merry Christmas, love, and goodness.

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