The history of two institutions, the Medical College of Virginia and the Richmond Professional Institute, which came together in 1968 to form Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), is presented. The Medical College of Virginia was established in 1838 (1988 marks VCU's 150th anniversary) as a branch of Hampden-Sydney College, but broke away in 1854 as a result of a bitter controversy between two medical factions. The Richmond Professional Institute, originally known as the Richmond School of Social Work and Public Health, was formed in 1917. The book has the following chapters: (1) in the beginning, (2) postbellum years and the battling doctors, (3) two rival medical schools, (4) the feuding schools unite, (5) the Sanger era begins, (6) the new hospital and the way, (7) the Sanger presidency ends, (8) the college under President Smith; (9) a magician at work in education, (10) Hibbs is succeeded by Oliver, (11) a university is born, (12) the Brandt and Temple presidencies, (13) President Ackell takes over, (14) progress in the eighties--east campus, (15) progress in the eighties--west campus, (16) President Ackell and the student press, (17) athletics at VCU, (18) a forward pace in academe, and (19) moving toward the bicentennial. Appendices list VCU winners of the following awards: Nobel Prize in medicine and physiology; Presidential Medallion; Wayne medal; Louise Obici annual award; Medical Society of Virginia (Robins) award; distinguished faculty award; Dean's award, school of medicine; distinguished service to medicine; Markle scholars; Fulbright scholars; Guggenheim fellows; American Council of Learned Societies fellowships; National Council for the Humanities residential fellowships; and National Endowment for the Arts individual fellowships. Lists of honorary degree recipients and rectors are also appended. A bibliography, an index, and 98 illustrations are provided. (KM)