From Pennsylvania Avenue to Sesame Street

Sherrie Sandy Westin trades politics for puppets in many-hued career

Westin trades politics for puppets.

Art and Science

Bestsellers at the U.Va. Bookstore:July through September 2009

Fiction/Poetry

1. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

2. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

3. The Time Traveler’s Wife by

New & Notable

Reasons for and Advantages of Breathing Lydia Peelle (Grad ’06) Harper Collins This collection of short stories explores lives derailed by the loss of a vital connection to the land

Couture Construction

Two alumnae, an urban planner and an artchitect, formed Chromat Garments. They make fashion that borrows heavily from architecture.

Required Reading: R. Jahan Ramazani

Professor R. Jahan Ramazani (Col ’81), chair of the English department, edited the Norton Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry, co-edited the 20th-century volume of the Norton Anthology of English Literature and published a book of poetry.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Professor interprets autism with music

Michael Rasbury is a sound designer, a composer and a professor of drama at U.Va., and he co-wrote a play inspired by his son, a musical about a boy with autism named Max.

The Philosopher Mechanic

Reassessing the value of working with one’s hands

Crawford argues that physical labor that offers tangible results—a motorcycle that starts, a plumbing system that doesn’t leak—provides satisfaction, both intellectual and psychic, that office work often lacks.

Sharing a Vision

Art contest winner moved by Rotunda

Jennifer Tsai was so moved by the beauty and symbolism of the Rotunda, she knew it would be hard to leave when she graduated

Small Town, Big Acts

University hosts top musicians

Renovated venues have helped bring an impressive assortment of musical headliners to Grounds.

Fresh Art

Renovated museum opens its doors

The University of Virginia Art Museum reopened after a $2 million summer renovation.

Story Genius

Creative writing professor wins prestigious grant

Short story writer Deborah Eisenberg was awarded a MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant in September.

Letters to the Editor

Addiction Research

I found the article “Targeting Addiction” (Fall 2009) very intriguing. I especially was curious if Dr. Bankole Johnson’s research (or even topiramate itself) is applicable to other

Eisenberg receives MacArthur ‘genius’ grant

Art Museum reopens after $2 million renovation