Friends,
With our largest class of first-year students in recent history and a record number of new faculty joining the School of Arts & Sciences, it’s difficult to feel anything but energized about the academic year that’s just gotten underway.
When it comes to our newest class, we’re thrilled to report that the class, in addition to being one of the largest, is one of our most diverse classes to date. 21% of Richmond’s first-year students are also first-generation college students. 23% are U.S. students of color, and 13% come from homes in which English was not their first language.
Our new tenured and tenure-track faculty, along with directors, are an equally diverse group. From feminist performance activism and anti-American sentiment to ethical conduct in war and landscape ecology, the School’s 16 new faculty and three directors demonstrate the precise balance of scholarship and teaching that, year after year, makes Richmond such an inviting place for students to learn.
I hope you’ll join me for what’s sure to be an exciting year in the School of Arts & Sciences. If you’re in the Richmond area and want to make it to a lecture or campus event, check out the University’s new public calendar at calendar.richmond.edu.
Best,
Andy Newcomb
Dean, School of Arts & Sciences
University of Richmond
Department of English presents 2009-10 Writers Series
The series is designed to expose Richmond students and the greater university community to living writers. The talks are free and open to the public. This year’s series features eight writers, starting with University of Richmond 2009 Distinguished Writer-in-Residence Colson Whitehead on Sept 22. (more)
Biology major travels to Florida Keys for research on sponges
Andrew Massaro spent 10 weeks in the Florida Keys this summer, doing research in University of Richmond biology professor Malcolm Hill’s lab at the Mote Marine Research Laboratory. In addition to his research, Massaro worked as an intern at the Key West Wildlife Center, which rescues sick or injured birds and rehabilitates them to be released back into the wild. (more)
Recent Richmond grad named ODK National Leader of the Year
Rebecca Frazier, a 2009 graduate of the University of Richmond, has been named Omicron Delta Kappa’s National Leader of the Year. The Charlottesville, Va., resident graduated summa cum laude on May 10, receiving her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a double minor in leadership studies and women, gender and sexuality studies. (more)
Physics department acquires long-awaited instrument
In May, the Department of Physics acquired a 14–inch Celestron reflecting telescope—an instrument that has been on the department’s wish list for the past five years. (more)
Music department announces 2009-2010 Free Concert Series
Admission to all Department of Music events is free of charge. Tickets are not required unless otherwise noted. This series is sponsored in part by the University of Richmond Cultural Affairs Committee. (more)
Research connects student’s interests in science and humanitarianism
“To me, research has always been personal,” said Katie Nicholas, ’10. “In high school, I did extensive research on multiple sclerosis because my grandmother has battled the disease for several decades. At Richmond, I’m interested in connecting my biochemistry research experience this summer with the time I spent volunteering at an AIDS clinic in Tanzania last summer.” (more)
Chemistry Nobel Laureate Roald Hoffmann presents play on Holocaust Sept. 14-16
Nobel Laureate in chemistry Roald Hoffmann will present “Something that Belongs to You,” the semi-autobiographical play that explores his mother’s experiences during and after the Holocaust, at the University of Richmond’s Modlin Center for the Arts. (more)
Music professor Mike Davison leads jazz students on Australian tour
This was the fifth year Davison has taken University of Richmond jazz students to Australia, where they spend half their time in workshops with students at Central Queensland University and half their time playing gigs on Hamilton Island against the backdrop of the Great Barrier Reef. (more)
American Studies Program gears up to host Tocqueville Seminars
With the support of the Andrew T. Mellon Foundation, the University of Richmond is undertaking a project to internationalize the study of American history and culture. (more)
