News Briefs
No Room at the Inn
Another Big Investment in Scholarships
The Board of Visitors in August approved using $100 million from the Strategic Investment Fund to support UVA’s Bicentennial Scholars Fund, the second such investment the board has made for matching scholarships from the fund.
The first $100 million, approved in December 2016, was fully matched by donors in 18 months, according to UVA Today. With the addition of gifts and matching funds, the initial investment resulted in $212 million for endowments, whose earnings will support more than 140 scholarships annually for graduate and undergraduate students, as also noted by UVA Today.
The additional funding will be used in the University’s campaign to provide matching funds for new merit-based scholarships and scholarship endowments at UVA and UVA’s College at Wise, which aim to increase access and affordability for undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate financial need.
Major Alderman Renovation Design
In September, the BOV voted unanimously to approve the Schematic Design for a renovated Alderman Library. Highlights of the renovation, slated to begin in 2020 (pending state approval), include new building infrastructure; improved safety and usability; redesign of the interior layout and lighting; restoration and optimization of historic characteristics including masonry, windows and wood cornices; and improved access through an expanded northern entryway and a revised southern entryway. Look for more coverage of the Alderman renovation in the Spring 2019 issue of Virginia Magazine.
$180M Athletics Plan
Also in September, the BOV approved a $180 million Athletics Master Plan presented to the Board by UVA Athletics Director Carla Williams, which will be funded through private gifts. The comprehensive plan, highlighted by a new football operations center and a new Olympic sports center, also includes: three natural grass football fields—two for football, one for multisport use; the renovation of the McCue Center; the demolition of University Hall, Onesty Hall and the Cage; new pedestrian pathways and additional parking options. The new football center will include a student development center, sports medicine and nutrition areas, locker rooms, position rooms, coaches’ offices, a strength and conditioning center, and an indoor practice facility. ZGF Architects will lead the new facilities’ design.
The Rankings File
UVA is the third-best public national university according to U.S. News & World Report, which for the 28th consecutive year placed UVA in the top three. UVA ranked second in the Best Value rankings, which consider both educational and economic factors. UVA ranked 25th among national universities overall, out of 312 schools considered.
Arts Council Premieres Student Awards
The UVA Arts Council unveiled its new Distinguished Artists Awards this fall. Choreographer Amy Dalrymple (Col ’18, Batten ’19) won in dance, digital artist Gabby Fuller (Col ’19) in studio art, playwright Savannah Hard (Col ’19) in drama, cellist Nicholas Rupert (Com ’19) in music and designer David Shim (Arch ’19) in architecture, all selected by their department heads. Beyond each honoree’s $2,000 prize, Council Chair Gretchen Tibbits (Col ’89) notes, “you have both the department chair and also a group of alumni saying we were impressed and recognize and appreciate the work that you’re doing.”
Diplomat Becomes Vice Provost
