Spring 2009 | The University of Virginia Magazine

Psychologists explore everyone's favorite emotion

How would you reply if a psychologist asked how satisfied you were with your life? A trio of U.Va. professors delve into what makes us happy.

The call of the wild beckons in many ways

A passion for the outdoors inspires the lives of many alumni. Some explore it, some guide others through it, some teach about it and others work to protect it.

Shedding Light on a Shadowy Figure

Though mystery lingers, library exhibit brings Poe's legacy into sharp focus

Who was Edgar Allan Poe? An upcoming exhibition explores the author’s life and dispels many of the lurid myths about the American man of letters educated at U.Va.

Preserving a national treasure

A comprehensive effort to preserve the University’s historical places is under way.

Verbatim

“People whose ambitions may have been limited to, say, the McDonald’s counter or some kind of menial job requiring little or no education are going to see what can happen…

Janet Napolitano (Law ’83) brings “no-nonsense” reputation to new role

President-elect Barack Obama outlined a daunting set of challenges for Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (Law ’83) when he tapped her to become the nation’s next homeland security chief. With the…

News Briefs

Bob Barker, longtime host of the game show The Price is Right and animal-rights advocate, has given $1 million to the Law School to establish an animal law program. Law…

In Office

In Office U.Va. alumni won gubernatorial and congressional races in the November elections. Congress also saw the retirement of Republican Sen. John Warner (Law ’53), who had held his office…

Election Season

In the John Paul Jones Arena, a crowd of approximately 3,000 people watched the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States.

Historical Modern Dance

During a week as an artist in residence at U.Va., Tony Award-winning dancer and choreographer Bill T. Jones brought together students and community members with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane…

U.Va. named the top value among public universities

According to “Best Value Colleges for 2009” rankings released in January by the Princeton Review and USA Today, the University of Virginia offers the best education for the money among…

Bookmarked: A Gift From Above

During halftime of the Clemson football game on Nov. 22, a sky diver landed in Scott Stadium to present a gift from the Seven Society in the amount of $14,777.77.…

University copes with difficult economy

In Memoriam: Jack Blackburn 1941-2009

The new year began with sad news, as two giants of the University community passed away in January. Gilbert J. Sullivan, retired Alumni Association director, died on Jan. 5 at…

In Memoriam: Gilly Sullivan 1928-2009

The new year began with sad news, as two giants of the University community passed away in January. Gilbert J. Sullivan, retired Alumni Association director, died on Jan. 5 at…

R&D in Brief

Yet another reason to blush while at the drugstore checkout. U.Va. researcher John C. Herr proved that his invention, SpermCheck…

New drug prevents frailty

Growing older may not necessarily mean growing weaker. Researchers at U.Va. discovered that a new drug called MK-677 increases muscle…

U.Va. engineers building “virtual” crash test dummy

Traditional crash-test dummies were designed to resemble humans so that automakers could learn about the effects of car accidents on…

Notice some names missing from spring sports rosters? Here's a look at who’s moving into their spots.

Experience on Centre Court spurs tennis player’s amibitions

Dominic Inglot sprinted across the grass on Centre Court at Wimbledon, lunged to reach a passing shot and returned the…

Sports Shorts

Greats AcknowledgedLacrosse great Tom Duquette (Col ’75) and football coach George Welsh have been tapped for induction to the Virginia…

Fencing club builds character; wins medals

Fast Company

Emil Heineking (Col ’11) made Cavalier history with his showing at the NCAA cross-country championships in November. The only true…

Steeplechase athlete chases big dreams

If Stephanie Garcia’s face looks familiar, it might not be because of her athletic prowess. Sure, she earned laurels last…

Jay Gundy (Grad ’79) sees opportunities in Jefferson Trust

With his appointment as executive director of the Jefferson Trust, James A. “Jay” Gundy (Grad ’79) takes charge of a…

Admissions FAQ

Is it more difficult for women to be admitted to the University?No. “Parents of daughters—relax,” says Greg Roberts, dean of…

Myths Can Sabotage Your Job Search

Break some rules to sell your strengths

A job search in a tight market is perhaps the best place to break some of the rules you have…

Regional officers tie together U.Va. network

No matter where you are in the country—or the world, for that matter—you’re never far from a U.Va. connection. A…

Bestsellers at the U.Va. Bookstore: October through December 2008

1. The Disagreement by Nick Taylor (Col ’98, Grad ’05)2. The Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer3. The Tales of Beedle…

Required Reading: Frederick Hitz

Law and politics lecturer Frederick Hitz wrote The Great Game: The Myth and Reality of Espionage and Why Spy? Espionage…

Poet Laureate of the Twilight

Charles Wright has been extolled as one of the best poets of his generation, a quintessential Southerner and a philosopher-poet.

Deciphering Our Lady of the Lily

Empowering art, past and present

In 1912, when Georgia O’Keeffe arrived in Charlottesville, she’d nearly given up on art. “She hadn’t touched a paintbrush in…

Letters to the Editor

At first glance, when I noticed the photo of André Harvey’s bronze crow sculpture, Sounding the Alarm, in the article…

Student Life: Open Door Policy

The public life of Lawnies

Become an honorary Lawn resident and learn the pleasures—and discomforts—of being part of our living history.The University’s Academical Village attracts…

First Person: A Million Stories to Tell

Service in Iraq motivates veteran to study Arabic, pursue journalism

I moved to Egypt in August to study Arabic at the American University in Cairo. I came by way of U.Va., but more by way of Iraq, a place I’ve never left far behind. I was a soldier there from 2004 to 2005, and I feel compelled to re-engage the Middle East on civilian terms.