Fall 2009 | The University of Virginia Magazine

Jefferson's drawings show multiple influences and singular genius

More than a century ago, the University’s Central Grounds rose from the ashes of the 1895 Rotunda fire, and much of the original character of Jefferson’s Academical Village began a…

In the Land of the Midnight Sun

A poet returns to Alaska

The destruction of Eagle, Alaska, hardly made headlines. Yet, 3,000 miles away in Virginia, Ted Genoways was devastated.

One man’s quest on the path of discovery

Addiction is a disease that affects millions. Dr. Bankole Johnson is developing a pharmaceutical treatment for it.

Portrait of a Confessed Slowpoke

Nothing’s safe from the sharp pencil of cartoonist Jen Sorensen

How does a comic writer come up with jokes? Jen Sorensen, author of the cartoon Slowpoke, reveals the secrets of humor.

Greg Roberts discusses his new role as admission dean

A Q & A with Greg Roberts explores admissions.

News Briefs

At U.Va.’s 180th Final Exercises, 6,280 degrees were awarded. Finals remarks were provided by federal appeals court judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III (Law ’73), who said, “The greatness of this…

“The secret to getting smarter is really not a big secret: Engage in intellectual activities. Read the newspaper, watch informative documentaries, find well-written books that make intellectual content engaging. Perhaps…

No More Backpacks

Darden School to test Kindle’s potential

Students at the Darden School of Business may be getting a glimpse of the future of education this year. Online retailer Amazon selected Darden as one of seven schools that…

Centennial Celebration

Carr’s Hill, the home of all seven presidents of the University, celebrates the centennial of its construction this year. A feature on page 28 looks at the residence in the…

Fighting Over Punch Lines

Comedians’ feud fuels professors’ study

A feud between Joe Rogan and Carlos Mencia spurred two law professors to examine intellectual property rights among comedians.

New Deans

Kim Tanzer is the new dean of the U.Va. School of Architecture and Harry Harding is the first dean of the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.

From DNA to the N.I.H.

Geneticist to lead health efforts

Francis S. Collins to head multi-billion dollar research institute.

Science, Fashion and Rock ’n’ Roll

Medical dean featured in GQ magazine

Medical School dean Steven T. DeKosky is a “Rock Star of Science,” according to the June issue of GQ magazine.

Danger: Falling Dorms

Dobie, Balz and Watson houses were torn down this summer to make way for two new six-story dorms that will house more students, and be greener and more efficient.The new…

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Cavaliers reach College World Series

The Cavaliers celebrate their first Super Regional championship.Simply put, it was the greatest season in Virginia baseball history. The Cavaliers set a school record for wins with a 49-15-1 record…

Leaders for Time of Change

Wynne and Abramson to head Board of Visitors

Wynne and the board look forward to guiding the University through a number of major leadership changes.

A Legacy of Support

Sylvia Terry retires

Advocate for African American students and "mother away from home" retires after 20 years.

Casteen Announces Retirement

U.Va. president will step down in 2010

John T. Casteen III came to the University of Virginia at the age of 17—the first member of his family to attend college. He would go on to earn three degrees in English from the University, become U.Va.’s dean of admission in 1975 and, in 1990, its seventh president. Now 65, Casteen announced in June that he will step down at the conclusion of his 20th year as president on Aug. 1, 2010.

R&D in Brief

Less stress for medical students, tests for toddlers and the power of popularity among teens.

Jack Needs Jill to Get Up the Hill

Perceptions affected by friendship

Hills seem less steep if you have a friend by your side.

Snooze Alarm

Seniors get wake-up call about too little sleep

Shakespeare described sleep as knitting up the “raveled sleeve of care.”According to a U.Va. study, most elderly people aren’t getting…

A Wink Is as Good as a Nod

Head movements trump gender in conversation

Watch a video that shows how researchers change perceived gender with video conferencing software.

Adorable Secret to Success

Exposure to cuteness increases fine motor skills

Imagine a calico kitten playing with a ball of string. Are you picturing it? Good, now you are—by a small…

Cavalier Athletes Heading to the Big Leagues

Cavalier Athletes Heading to the Big Leagues Pro football teams reached out to four U.Va. players in the NFL draft…

Sports Shorts

A famous lacrosse player, a winning tennis duo, a golfer makes history and a third baseman earns a spot in an all-star game.

Half-Horse, Half-Human

Two U.Va. polo teams win national championships

U.Va. men's and women's teams are the rough and tumble champions of the game of kings.

Virginia’s Top 5 Quarterbacks

Who are the gilded five in U.Va.'s football history?

Change Is in the Air

Cavaliers to sport new look this fall

What can we look forward to during the upcoming football season?

Lapping It Up

Mei Christensen savors team's success while setting personal records galore

Christensen is an ACC record-setting explosion and she snagged All-American honors in the 100 backstroke, 200 back and 400 medley relay.

Preserving, Progressing

Jefferson Trust grants help a variety of projects

The Jefferson Trust honored the University’s past as well as its future in awarding grants this year.A project to preserve…

Got the Job-Search Blues?

Stay focused and upbeat to reach employment goals

An extended job search can be stressful, especially in a weak job market. It is difficult not to feel anxious…

Mental Warm-up

Game-day lectures at Alumni Hall begin Sept. 5

From the origins of the Academical Village to the latest research in renewable fuels, this fall’s “More Than the Score”…

Record Turnout

Reunions 2009 sets high-water marks

Reunion turnout eclipsed last year’s attendance by about 25 percent and was double the number of 2005.

Bestsellers at the U.Va. Bookstore: April through June 2009

1. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith2. Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer3. When the Whistle…

New & Notable

Fiction for young and old, the race for the White House, collegiate a cappella and the hurricane that devastated the Gulf of Mexico 150 years before Katrina.

All Fired Up

DJ Enferno joined Madonna on tour

Eric Jao worked as a network engineer while moonlighting at D.C.’s hottest clubs, until he was discovered by Madonna. Watch a video of him DJ.

Required Reading: Lois Shepherd

Lois Shepherd explains how you might have misunderstood Catcher in the Rye, the enduring resonance of Crime and Punishment and how books confront death and dying.

Every Picture Tells a Story

John Wright uses quiet approach to capture face of celebrity

Whether photographing Jessica Lange, Christopher Walken, Paul Newman or Al Pacino for Inside the Actors Studio or capturing Ella Fitzgerald performing at the Lincoln Center, Wright faces the challenge of reaching beyond a celebrity’s image and conveying a human being.

Keeping it Reel

Light House puts young people behind the lens

Young people are the largest consumers of digital media, films and TV. It’s a language they are taught to hear but not speak.

In Memoriam

Letters to the Editor

Rather, Palin tried to explain, when ambushed by Katie Couric (Col ’79) in an “interview,” that the government of Alaska…

Student Life: Seeing Voices

Deaf and hard of hearing students thrive at U.Va.

I watch as it dawns on him that I’ve been reading his lips. His eyes flicker to my ears, where the casing and tubes of my hearing aids are visible if you look closely.