Summer 2008 Table of Contents
Features
Soldiers’ Stories
Alumni talk about a life of combat
We spoke with alumni in the military about their experiences. They range from infantrymen and aviators to doctors, engineers and chaplains.
A Sound for All Seasons
Cavalier Band builds tradition from ground up
Student leadership, always at the heart of U.Va.'s band, is helping guide the group to a new level.
The Hair Detective
For Professor Stephen Macko, a simple strand of hair can be surprisingly revealing
Through isotopic hair analysis, environmental sciences professor Stephen Macko can tell what his students ate for breakfast and what Oetzi the iceman enjoyed during an ancient repast.
The Continuing Education of Ms. Groves
Armed with new skills, Monica Groves (Col ’04) returns to scene of documentary
After a rocky first year in an Atlanta school, Groves decided to put her Harvard master's degree to work in the community that first helped her.
University Digest
All Aces
Fourth-year Somdev Devvarman, ranked No. 1 in the nation and the NCAA defending singles champion, led U.Va. to an undefeated regular season and the ACC Tournament title. The Cavaliers’ stellar…
News Briefs
The University of Virginia bestowed its highest external honors—the annual Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medals—during Founder’s Day celebrations in April. The medals recognize the achievements of those who embrace endeavors that…
Puzzling Appearance
Will Shortz (Law ’77) keeps them guessing
The author and editor of more than 150 books, founder of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament and subject of the 2006 documentary Wordplay, Shortz returned to Grounds on April 3 to deliver a lecture and challenge his audience with puzzles.
Gusburger in Paradise
As part of the annual Springfest festivities at Nameless Field, students tested their gastronomic limits in the Gusburger Eat-Off. Fourth-year Chris Jenne of Virginia Beach successfully defended his 2007 title,…
Thirst for Knowledge
Students' drinking water project wins award
When more than a billion people lack clean drinking water, the efforts of two U.Va. students might seem like a drop in the bucket.
Three History Amigos
Radio talk show combines past, present
BackStory, a weekly call-in radio show, features U.Va. historians Peter Onuf and Brian Balogh teamed with Ed Ayers, president of the University of Richmond and a former U.Va. historian and dean, as the "history guys," and their on-air patter might beg comparisons with Click and Clack of NPR’s Car Talk.
Opportunity, Not Poverty
Xiao Wang wins Truman Scholarship for public policy studies
The third-year economics student won a 2008 Truman Scholarship, worth about $30,000, for his leadership potential and commitment to public service. With sufficient credits to receive his bachelor’s degree this spring, he plans to pursue a master’s degree in public policy this fall.
Close Call
U.Va. astronomer spots passing asteroid
The prospect of asteroids smashing into Earth might seem highly unlikely, but for astronomers like U.Va. research scientist Greg Black, it’s a scenario to be taken seriously. A large asteroid could cause catastrophic damage; asteroids have hit the planet many times in the past and may have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Return on Investment
Gustafson this year's Distinguished Alumna
Gustafson has used her skills in making a living as an investor to give back to the University, and for her contributions the U.Va. Women’s Center selected her for its 2008 Distinguished Alumna Award.
Overfertilized
Professor's research tracks environmental threat
Galloway’s work earned him the 2008 Tyler Environmental Prize, which is administered by the University of Southern California and is considered the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in the fields of environmental science, energy and environmental health.
Cartoon Flaps
Muzzle award faults student editors
A cartoon that caused an uproar after its publication in the student newspaper last year was at the center of another wave of controversy this spring.
A Career in Caring
After guiding Nursing School to prominence, Lancaster takes on one more challenge
Lancaster will step down in August as dean of the U.Va. School of Nursing. She has held the position since 1989, making her the longest tenured dean on Grounds.
RESEARCH & DISCOVERY
Deep-Rooted Politics
Clues about what makes us red or blue
Where we fall on the political spectrum may be more than the result of rational thought. Political ideologies appear to…
What Makes Snakes Scary?
Fear seems innate
Adults and children alike seem to have an innate visual ability to detect snakes and spiders, according to research by…
Hacked
Student uncovers far-reaching security threat
A trio of hackers led by a University doctoral student in computer engineering has cracked the security code of a…
SPORTS
An Olympic First
Steeplechase runner has chance at historic event in Beijing
Cromer (Col ’02, Grad ’03) was an All-American at U.Va., and visions of standing on the winners’ podium at the Olympics bring a smile to her face.
Twenty-five Love
Tennis team has undefeated season
Few things in sports rank up there with an undefeated season.Except, maybe, having hometown fans set an attendance record in…
Hoopla for Singletary
Guard joins Cavalier elite
He became the fifth Cavalier to score 2,000 points (2,062), and he is the only player in ACC history to have 2,000 career points, 500 career assists, 400 career rebounds and 200 career steals.
Having a Ball
Professional paintball keeps Eric Prum (Col ’08) on red-eye schedule
Prum began playing professional paintball—where two teams play capture-the-flag by shooting at each other on a battlefield of inflated bunkers—his second year at U.Va. After graduating, he plans to move to San Diego to work for KEE Action Sports, one of his team’s sponsors.
Top of Their Game
Squash teams win national titles
They have no coaches. They have little money. And they have no adequate University practice facilities. But the men’s and women’s squash teams at U.Va. have lots of spunk and talent, judging from national championships they brought home from a tournament at Harvard in February.
Giving Back with Sacks
Patrick Kerney (Col ’99) keeps brother's memory alive through fund
Patrick Kerney has a job with a simple description—get the quarterback.
Right Place, Right Time
Olympian making mark with Cav pitchers
Freed has to play the role of mentor and psychologist, and on occasion she has to trot out to the circle and talk to a Cavalier pitcher, even though she hated when coaches did that to her as a player.
No Balking at Relief
Softball co-captain helps out when home state hit by hurricane
It comes as little surprise that O’Leary would tackle an issue like Katrina relief with such energy. She played volleyball at U.Va. as a first- and second-year, then joined the softball team. She saw time as a pitcher early in her career before becoming a full-time outfielder.
ALUMNI NEWS
Weak Economy?
Put a positive spin on a downturn with solid planning
Identifying options and setting realistic goals should be a regular exercise for every professional, no matter where you are in…
JILL becomes OLLI
Lifelong learning is still the focus
The name may be different, but the mission remains the same.And online opportunities and a new partnership portend a bright…
Bringing Ideas Together
Jefferson Scholars' center will provide common ground for various disciplines
The center, located on two acres on Maury Avenue, is scheduled for completion by the beginning of the 2009 fall semester.
ARTS
Required Reading: Michael J. Klarman
A leading authority on the history of civil rights law, U.Va. law professor Michael J. Klarman won the 2005 Bancroft Prize for his book From Jim Crow to Civil Rights.
Heating Up
Sparky's Flaw on the rise, on the road
Sparky’s Flaw is a classic story of a high school garage band made good, and is as homegrown as they come.
Carnival Atmosphere
A photographer's inside look at Cape Town minstrels
Since 2006, Mason has been using his skills with a camera to capture the spirit and color of Carnival in Cape Town.
DEPARTMENTS
Letters to the Editor
This is the grave of Henry “Harry” Noble Taylor (Col ’51), who was an editor of the Cavalier Daily and…
Student Life: All Aboard the Campaign Trail
College Republicans and University Democrats
College students have historically been dismissed as unreliable by pundits and political advisers. At the polls, their numbers tend to be disappointingly low. But these students are clearly not the fickle supporters that political strategists have assumed.
First Person: Cuba from the Bottom Up
After Fidel, life's little struggles go on
Nowhere has news of what was, by all accounts, one of the most anticipated transitions of power been received with more yawning than in Cuba itself.
Short Course: Body of Work
Ethan Saliba (Grad ’86, ’92) knows pain
Ethan Saliba Photo by Jim DavesWe’ve all seen it and winced. The sacked quarterback who can’t get up. The basketball…
Retrospect: 1957: Faulkner Among the “Snobs”
After Faulkner arrived on Grounds, his "observations on ‘Virginia snobs’ caused somewhat of a sensation," wrote Virginius Dabney in Mr. Jefferson’s University. "He liked the state, he said, ‘because Virginians are all snobs and I like snobs.’"
President's Letter: Surrounded by History
President Casteen Photo by Peggy HarrisonOne of the pleasures of living and working in the University and the surrounding community…
