It’s not about the lake.
And neither, despite the concerns of some students and alumni, is it about the end of the coordinate system. Richmond’s hallmark separate-but-equal-system thrives; however, this fall, less separation exists between male and female undergraduates. For the first time, an equal number of men and women students are living on both sides of the lake, completing a transition that began last academic year when one women’s residence hall and two men’s residence halls were “taken over” by members of the opposite sex. This year, men are living in Gray Court and South Court on the Westhampton side, while women are living in Marsh, Moore, and Robins Halls on the Richmond side. A new residential program devoted to intercultural experience, Global House, is located in Westhampton’s Keller Hall and houses men and women on separate floors.
However, this migratory milestone does not change the essential features of the coordinate system. The Westhampton and Richmond student governments remain in place, as do the distinct traditions and rituals of each college. In fact, said Leonard Goldberg, vice president for student affairs, “it is likely that the coordinate colleges will be enhanced by our having eliminated the single greatest source of dissatisfaction for women as well as men.” Survey after survey has revealed students want coed housing. The new arrangement may also improve retention and attract prospective students who might have been put off by the old housing system.
Moreover, the evaporation of the “lake effect” clarifies the original mission of the coordinate system: to bridge students’ curricular and co-curricular experiences.
“There was a time when separate housing made sense,” said Juliette Landphair, dean of Westhampton College. “But that is just not the case today, when students come to college from coed high schools and expect to be in a coed setting.” Richmond College Dean Steve Bisese said he noted a difference in campus life almost as soon as the housing change was initiated. “The first indication I had that it was going well was [at freshman orientation] when I saw men and women walking together.”
Bisese also noted that meetings and study groups in Whitehurst lounge, on the Richmond side, are significantly more coed, as are groups just hanging out to play pool or watch TV.
Living on the Richmond side took some adjustment, said Westhampton sophomore Lesley Byrd. “In Robins, we were surrounded by men’s residence halls.” But, she added, “the residence hall is still all-women, so you are able to meet other women. And it’s nice because you would not necessarily meet the women next door to you, women of different years, if you lived in Lora Robins Court with only first-year women.”
Mimi Anderson Gill, W’49, had a similar experience when she lived in Richmond’s Thomas Hall in 1945-46, her first year at the University. World War II had just ended and men’s enrollment was low; by contrast, more women had enrolled than could be housed on the Westhampton campus. Being on the Richmond side with male students “helped our class a great deal,” Gill said.“We bonded, being together over there. It made things seem very normal.”
Not surprisingly, Gill is in favor of the new housing arrangement. “You can’t keep things like they always were,” she said. “If things don’t change, there will be no development at all.”
Ask last year’s “pioneers” about the most notable aspects of living on the opposite side of campus, and they likely will respond with one word: bathrooms. Shortly after women moved into Robins, someone added a Martha Stewart touch by sticking plastic flowers in the urinals. The urinals, and the flowers, have since been replaced by a countertop and mirror. As for how the men fared on the Westhampton side in Gray Court’s four-student suites, head resident Jon Simon made clear that housekeeping was low priority. “Four men, one bathroom, an eight-and-a-half-month school year, no bathroom cleaning supplies — you do the math.”
The lake remains the University’s centerpiece, no longer a symbol of division but of coming together — as perhaps it always was. On a bench located near where the Westhampton College gate used to be, these words are inscribed: “J. Caldwell ‘Tiny’ Hicks RC ’17, and Lula Jones Puckett WC ’17, met nearby in 1915 and were married in 1917.”
Nearly a century later, Richmond still is bringing men and women together.
By Liz Sheehan © 2003, Richmond Alumni Magazine
Although unplanned, the scenario could not have played out any more smoothly: The deans of of Richmond College and Westhampton College started their jobs within weeks of each other. Dr. Steve Bisese became dean of Richmond in July 2002, replacing Dr. Richard A. Mateer, who had held the position since 1973. Dr. Juliette Landphair had become interim dean of Westhampton the month before. In April of this year, after a national search, she was named dean of the college.
The deans make a dynamic team, complementing each other personally and professionally. Both are warm, witty and outgoing. Both have young children and strive to balance their family and work lives. Both bring valuable prior experience at the University to their jobs. Bisese was assistant dean of Richmond College in the late 1980s, while Landphair was assistant director and, subsequently, interim director of Women Involved in Living and Learning (WILL).
As an historian of 20th-century women’s history, Landphair is keenly aware of how the University’s coordinate system has benefited women students. From its inception in 1914, it has provided a supportive community, self-governance, and the conviction that women are the intellectual and social equals of men. Respect for this history, Landphair said, “poses the challenge for Steve and me of really articulating what the coordinate system now means.”
For Bisese, the strength of the system is its close attention to the well-being of Richmond and Westhampton students. “By the nature of the coordinate system,” he said, “Juliette and I are able to have a holistic view of students — their academic work, their social issues, the times when they might be getting into a crisis situation. Plus, there are more opportunities under this system for students to have leadership roles.”
Both deans work closely with Dr. Andrew Newcomb, dean of arts and sciences, to further the University’s academic mission. “He understands the connections between what goes on in the classroom and what goes on outside, in students’ residential communities and co-curricular activities,” Landphair said.
Bisese added, “We have the best of both worlds here — single-sex programming and support within a coed setting. I think the housing change has solved a lot of issues, and I don’t see there being a real need for much change after this.”
By Liz Sheehan © 2003, Richmond Alumni Magazine
Alumni associations tie the knot
A wedding of sorts took place on campus on July 17.
Two years after voting to merge into one alumni association, more than 100 members of the former Westhampton College, Richmond College and E. Claiborne Robins School of Business Alumni Associations gathered with their guests, University staff and friends to celebrate the inaugural meeting of the University of Richmond Alumni Association (URAA).
Chuck Ellsworth, R’77, president of the URAA nominating committee and former Richmond College alumni association president, called the evening a “celebration of a new beginning, a new start for all of us.” After conducting the association’s obligatory business, Ellsworth recognized the association’s new officers and presented the gavel to Susan G. Quisenberry, W’65, first president of the URAA and former Westhampton alumni association president.
Quisenberry described the event as ushering in a “new era for alumni” and highlighted the association’s ability to “create greater visibility, speak with one voice and effectively represent alumni across the world.” Although the Law School and School of Continuing Studies will retain separate alumni associations, they will have representation on the URAA.
In addressing the gathering, Dr. William E. Cooper said, “A unified voice is a more powerful voice. Together we can work to shine the light on the University of Richmond — to give it the attention it merits.”
Cooper was awarded honorary membership in the URAA. The association also recognized alumni volunteers and staff members whose vision and dedication led to the formation of the new association.
By Alissa Mancuso Poole, ’94 © 2003, Richmond Alumni Magazine
Elizabeth A. Taraski has been named to the new position of executive director of donor and community relations at the University. She previously served as the University’s executive director of foundation, corporate and government relations.
In her new position, Taraski will develop and implement a strategic plan for enhancing the University’s involvement in the greater Richmond metropolitan area, including increasing administrators’ leadership roles in community-wide efforts, strengthening existing activities and partnerships, and identifying new areas for partnerships, particularly among the University’s arts and athletics and local organizations and corporations.
She also will serve as a major gifts officer, lead donor stewardship efforts and oversee several major events at the University.
Prior to joining the University in 1999, Taraski was director for industrial collaboration and administration for the Multilifecycle Engineering Research Center, a research effort led by the New Jersey Institute of Technology in partnership with Rutgers, Princeton, Stevens Institute of Technology and MIT.
© 2003, Richmond Alumni Magazine
Two major construction projects — one on each side of the lake — dueled with each other this past summer. Ground was broken May 14 for the new Gottwald Science Center while the finishing touches were put on Weinstein Hall, the University’s new social sciences center.
This fall, Weinstein welcomed the journalism, political science, rhetoric-communication studies and sociology-anthropology departments, as well as the Speech Center. The building also will be home to the planned Richmond Research Institute, a new independent research center devoted to the study of social issues and public policy. Because of the breadth of disciplines housed in the building, virtually every student who enrolls at the University will pass through its doors.
The new structure — a complete renovation and expansion of the former political science building — was made possible by long-time University supporters Marcus and Carole Weinstein, along with several of their friends and family members.
Across the lake, the 27-year-old Gottwald Center is undergoing a major expansion and facelift. Recognizing that the greatness of a university is largely measured by the stature of its science programs, the University has embarked upon this $36 million renovation project as part of its ambitious Initiative for Scientific Discovery.
The expanded and updated facilities will place special emphasis on material science, environmental science and the social interest, neuroscience, biological chemistry and nuclear and particle physics.
Gottwald’s additional 28,000 square feet will include an atrium and state-of-the-art laboratories with built-in “chalk-talk” gathering spaces for formal and informal discussion. It also will include the latest technology and research equipment. The project is scheduled for completion next fall.
© 2003, Richmond Alumni Magazine
When the University's Board of Trustees approved the recommendation to add a multipurpose stadium to its campus, a wave rippled from the admissions office to the alumni center and throughout town.
“We’ve probably had more interest from our fans, alumni and students on this topic than any other since I’ve been here — even more than our move to the Atlantic 10,” said Jim Miller, now in his fourth year as Richmond’s athletic director.
“We agree with the Board that bringing our games onto campus will add great value to our football program. Just as importantly, we want an on-campus facility of the appropriate size that is right for the culture of the university,” said Miller.
That task belongs to the national and local sports architectural firms that were hired in late July. They have been on campus surveying the proposed site occupied by First Market Stadium. Plans include using the facility not only for football, but also for soccer, lacrosse, and track and field.
The Robins Center, adjacent to First Market Stadium, has a capacity of 9,071 for basketball. Plans for the new on-campus stadium would include seating for approximately the same number.
“These professional firms will tell us what fits,” Miller added. “This includes size and design of the stadium, access on and off campus, and parking.”
Until an on-campus facility is built, the Spiders will continue — as they have for 75 years — to play home football games at the off-campus UR Stadium, owned by the City of Richmond and leased to the University.
Members of the athletic department, along with University administrators, have met with neighborhood associations and conducted two, 20-member focus group sessions to gather information and ideas from donors and supporters regarding an on-campus stadium.
“We want this to be a high-quality stadium — one of the very best in the nation,” said Miller. “It will fit our campus and our needs. When fans come to games on a Saturday we want them to have the best college football experience possible.”
Construction of a new on-campus stadium is contingent upon the University raising an estimated $11 million to fund the project.
By Bob Black © 2003, Richmond Alumni Magazine
Hands-on approach to human rights
Ryan Babiuch, ’04, had studied the South African freedom movement extensively, but it wasn’t until he spent time this past summer at the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre in Cape Town that he discovered that reality often differs from the written word.
“It’s a fascinating time to be an American in post-apartheid South Africa,” said the Sandusky, Ohio, native. “The legacy of apartheid still pervades almost every aspect of their society, and while they’ve made great strides in the 10 years since their first democratic elections, there is much left to be done.”
Babiuch, who interned at the center from May to mid-July, said he witnessed “tremendous poverty in many areas” and a “huge disparity between the haves and the have-nots” in terms of wealth, education, status and opportunities.
The center is named for Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu, South African clergyman and civil rights activist. It is dedicated to training and nurturing leaders and educating the public on issues of peace, hope and vision. Babiuch credits Dr. Joanne Ciulla, professor of leadership studies and a member of the board of the Desmond Tutu Peace Trust, with helping him land the summer job.
“This internship was a perfect match for what I’m interested in — human rights, leadership development, international relations and development in Africa,” said Babiuch, president of the Richmond College student government association. He plans to study law and international relations after graduating.
While at the center, he worked primarily on two projects. The emerging leadership awards program brought together 20 of the most outstanding high school leaders from Cape Town and immersed them in a leadership development program that included a virtual link-up with young leaders from the United States and a conversation with Tutu about leadership issues facing South Africa. “I learned a lot about culture, society and the after-effects of apartheid and was able to see a completely different type of leadership style,” said Babiuch, a leadership studies and political science double major.
His second project brought together leading human rights practitioners from all over the African continent to share their most effective tactics in fighting human rights violations.
The highlight of his internship, Babiuch said, was the time spent with Archbishop Tutu. In addition to the day with him during the emerging leaders program, Babiuch shared a breakfast and dinner with the former bishop and attended a church service in which Tutu administered communion. “He is an absolutely phenomenal person. He mixes an incredible energy and grandness with humility and compassion,” said Babiuch. “In person, he’s very down-to-earth and real. He was every bit as tremendous a person as I had imagined.”
By Linda Evans © 2003, Richmond Alumni Magazine
Cooking up a new certificate program
The University offers a new opportunity for those who love to cook. The School of Continuing Studies’ new culinary arts certificate program is designed for novice home cooks as well as veteran professional chefs.
The 36-hour program consists of four required courses, each of which is six hours long. Electives, which are three hours each, range from bread-baking to table-setting and from kitchen safety and sanitation to pairing wine with food. There’s even a lesson on cooking lobster.
The final “exam” is three-hour meal-preparation exercise in the presence of local certified executive chefs. Alumni are entitled to a 25 percent discount on one class per semester. For more details, call 804/287-6331 or send e-mail to lcarter@richmond.edu.
© 2003, Richmond Alumni Magazine
“Leadership and Crisis” is the theme of the 2003-2004 Jepson Forum.
Various lectures will explore questions such as: During times of crisis, what are the responsibilities of and requirements for leadership? How do leaders balance the need for secrecy and caution against the need for openness and public disclosure?
Forum programs are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. Tickets are required and the public may reserve them two weeks before the lecture by calling the Modlin Center box office at 804/289-8980.
On Oct. 16 at 8 p.m., in conjunction with the dedication of Weinstein Hall, nationally syndicated columnist Ellen Goodman will talk about television news and the failings of modern media.
Other programs include:
Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m., at Jepson Alumni Center. “Health, Humanity and Our Common Future,” Gro Harlem Brundtland.
Known as a feisty reformer Gro Harlem Brundtland was Norway’s first female prime minister. A champion of women’s and environmental issues, she is a physician with a master’s degree in public health from Harvard. She headed the World Health Organization during the height of the SARS epidemic and at the crux of the AIDS crisis worldwide.
Jan. 28, 2004, 7:30 p.m., at Modlin Center for the Arts. “Teamwork, Tenacity and Grace Under Pressure,” Capt. Jim Lovell.
Two hundred thousand miles from Earth, Jim Lovell and his Apollo 13 crew faced almost certain death when their oxygen system failed. Providing sound leadership, Lovell communicated with on-the-ground engineers and scientists and modified the lunar module into a lifeboat. With the crew’s safe return to Earth, Lovell found immediate fame as a symbol of American can-do and courage. He was awarded many honors for his role on Apollo 13, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, and two Navy Distinguished Flying Crosses. In his book Lost Moon, Lovell takes us into that tension-filled cockpit of the Apollo 13 mission and shares his courageous journey. His story embodies the spirit of teamwork and excellence.
Feb. 19, 2004, 7 p.m., Jepson Alumni Center. Lincoln, Davis and Douglas: A Trio of Case Studies on Civil War Era Leaders.
This provocative session, produced by the Tredegar National Civil War Center, examines the leadership challenges of three fascinating and diverse players on a national stage during what arguably was our country’s greatest crisis. Three top historians will share ideas about the strategies employed by Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis and Frederick Douglass. Participants will break into small group discussions. Attendees will reconvene for closing remarks and a reception.
For biographies of speakers, see www.richmond.edu/jepson.
© 2003, Richmond Alumni Magazine
Dr. Jack F. Butterworth III, R’48, has carved a niche for himself as an excellent craftsman and woodworker. His talent has helped etch into posterity the names of those cremated and placed in urns and vaults in the Columbarium and Memorial Garden adjacent to Cannon Memorial Chapel.
Butterworth created and donated to the University a wooden stand to hold the columbarium’s memorial book. It is permanently located at the rear of the chapel. Previously, there was no visible place to store the book.
His work was commissioned by the University’s Chapel Guild, a group of individuals interested in strengthening the growth of the chapel and its chaplaincy program and enhancing its programs and visibility.
In addition to spearheading the installation of stained glass windows throughout the chapel, one of the most significant contributions of the 22-year-old Chapel Guild is funding assistance for the University’s holiday presentation every four years of Messiah.
Proceeds from the annual Chapel Guild Christmas House Tour go toward production of Messiah. This year’s tour, to be held Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will include the following Richmond-area homes:
 |
Cindy and Henry Wilton |
| 16 Rio Vista Lane | |
|
Ellen and Buzzy Northen |
| 134 W. Square Court | |
|
Connie and Waddy Garrett |
| 11 Old Bridge Road | |
|
Anne and Rosie Page |
| 6311 Three Chopt Road | |
|
Anne and Roy Kerr |
| 9715 Deborah Ridge Place |
During the tour, the chapel will be decorated and open. Lunch will be available for tour-goers at the Jepson Alumni Center from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The cost of tickets, which include lunch, is $20.
For more information, call Sandra King at 804/784-5551.
© 2003, Richmond Alumni Magazine
The University has elected five people to serve on its board of trustees. They are Larry E. Brown of Richmond, Worth H. Carter Jr. of Martinsville, Va., Rafael E. Martinez of Orlando, Fla., Kit T. Moncrief of Fort Worth, Texas, and Guy A. Ross of East Hampton, N.Y.
Three others were re-elected to the board: Robert S. Jepson Jr. of Savannah, Ga., Otis D. Coston Jr. of McLean and Paul B. Queally of New Canaan, Conn.
Brown is a 1971 Rich-mond graduate, president of Brown Distributing Company and chairman of Entrada Technologies, a mobile technology supplier to consumer packaged goods companies. He serves as a director of the CAREing Foundation, a youth-oriented substance abuse prevention program that educates through theater and the arts. In addition to his Richmond degree, Brown studied engineering at MIT from 1977 to 1978.
Carter is chairman and president of Bank Services of Virginia Inc. and chair-man of 10 community banks in Southwestern Virginia. The community banks jointly own Bank Services Insurance, Bank Building Corp. and Mortgage Co. of Virginia. Carter was a member of the Martinsville School Board for a number of years and served as chairman from 1980 to 1991. He received a B.A. from Richmond in 1958.
Martinez is a partner in the law firm McEwan, Martin & Dukes, a general practice firm with a heavy concentration on defense litigation. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Lawyers and has served on numerous bar association committees. Martinez recently was appointed public delegate to the United Nations 57th General Assembly. He is a member of the boards of SunTrust N.A. and the YMCA of the United States. He received a B.S. from the University of Florida in 1973 and a J.D. from Florida State University in 1976. He is the parent of a Richmond sophomore.
Moncrief, also the parent of a sophomore at the University, is owner of Moncrief Quarter Horses and co-owner of Moncrief Ranches Co. She is president of the board of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and a member of the board of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. She serves on the board of the Fort Worth Symphony and with numerous arts, cultural and educational organizations in the Fort Worth and Dallas areas.
Ross is a partner of Waterford LLP in Middleburg and East Hampton, N.Y. He recently relocated to East Hampton. He is an immediate past member of the University’s board of associates, former board member of the Piedmont Environmental Council, former appointee to the Virginia Assembly Committee on the Environment in Virginia and current board member of the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West, Fla. Ross received a B.A. from Richmond in 1973 and an M.A. from Georgetown University.
© 2003, Richmond Alumni Magazine
Budding actress lands premiere scholarship
Chauntee Schuler, ’03, will have the cost of her post-graduate education fully covered, thanks to a scholarship from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.
The foundation, established by the former owner of the Washington Redskins, awarded 43 graduate scholarships out of 842 applications from students who have strong ties to Virginia, Maryland or the District of Columbia. Each will receive up to $50,000 per year for tuition, room and board, fees and books for the duration of the scholar’s approved degree program.
Schuler, a theater major and political science minor from Fredericksburg, has enrolled at the New School University-Actors Studio Drama School in New York City.
At Richmond, she not only was a Cigna Scholar, but also served as academic affairs committee chair in the Westhampton College Student Government Association, president of Mortar Board honor society and was a member of Golden Key Honor Society and Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership society. She performed with the Ngoma African Dance Company and the Umoja Gospel Choir.
© 2003, Richmond Alumni Magazine
Seniors gain golf and gridiron accolades
Senior offensive lineman Joe Wilson earned pre-season All-America honors from The Sports Network and Lindy’s Magazine, two prominent I-AA organizations.
The Doylestown, Pa., native has missed only one start in three years and has led Richmond to three of the program’s top six single-season rushing marks. Last fall, the Spiders amassed 2,185 rushing yards, sixth all-time.
Wilson’s twin brother, John Wilson, is also a starter on Richmond’s offensive line.
Kyle Hess drained a six-foot, par-saving putt to secure his second consecutive New York State Amateur title by defeating his opponent, Matt Thomas, 1-up in the New York State Golf Association men’s championship in July.
Hess, a senior on the Richmond golf team, was the first New Yorker to repeat as champion since Tim Straub in 1987-88. The Buffalo, N.Y., native won four dual matches before advancing to the championship match that was a 36-hole event.
In the final event of last spring, Hess finished in a tie for fifth-place at the Atlantic 10 Championships. He carded a 77.0 scoring average in 26 rounds for the Spiders last year.
© 2003, Richmond Alumni Magazine
Former Spider standouts Brooke Sands, ’01, and Jill Murphy, ’03, have returned to their alma mater — this time as coaches. Sands has joined Peter Albright’s women’s soccer staff, while Murphy has became a member of Ange Bradley’s field hockey coaching staff.
They join six other former Spiders on the coaching staff: Curtis Brown, ’98 (baseball), Mike Winiecki, B’89 (men’s basketball), Ginny Doyle, W’92, and Jim Daly, ’98 (women’s basketball) and Jeff Hanson, R and G’73 and Muneer Moore, ’00 (football).
© 2003, Richmond Alumni Magazine
Spider baseball hit by a strong draft
After posting 101 wins during the past two seasons, the nation’s baseball eyes focused on the University of Richmond. And the eyes were not just those of fans. Major league scouts lined the backstop at Pitt Field last spring, attempting to pick the next superstar.
At least one Spider student-athlete has been selected in the major league draft each of the past four years, including a record five this year. And right-handed pitcher Tim Stauffer became the highest drafted Richmond student-athlete ever when the San Diego Padres chose him fourth overall. The two-time All-American earned Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year in 2002 and 2003.
Following in the tradition of Brian Jordan and Sean Casey, this year’s draftees raised the total to 17 Richmond players selected in the past eight drafts.
Another right-hander was chosen in the eighth round by the Oakland Athletics. Two-time All-Atlantic 10 honoree Mike McGirr, who went 22-2 the past two seasons, began his professional career with the Vancouver Canadians.
Two other seniors were also chosen on the draft’s first day. In the 10th round, the New York Mets selected shortstop David Reaver, Richmond’s all-time leader in hits and at-bats. He joined the Brooklyn Cyclones after signing with the Mets. An outfielder/first baseman and Richmond’s all-time home run and RBI leader, Vito Chiaravalloti went in the 15 th round to the Toronto Blue Jays and started his pro career with the Auburn Doubledays.
Completing the record-setting draft was catcher Adam Tidball who was selected in the 28th round by the Chicago Cubs. Tidball reported to the Boise Hawks.
Head coach Ron Atkins and the Spiders posted the fourth-highest winning percentage and the fifth highest win total in all of Division I baseball over the past two years. Nationally ranked last year, the Spiders went 27-3 at home.
By Simon Gray © 2003, Richmond Alumni Magazine
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