Randolph College

Successful coach hired as Randolph College director of riding

2012-01-24T17:34:00.000-05:00

A well-known collegiate equestrian competition coach will take lead of the Randolph College riding program this summer.

The College has hired Chris Mitchell as the new director of riding. He looks forward to continuing his successful coaching career with the WildCats.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity that Randolph has presented,” said Mitchell. “It’s a great program, and has been for a long time.”

“We are thrilled to have someone of Coach Mitchell’s caliber to take our riding program to the next level,” said Tina Hill, director of athletics. “Coach Mitchell brings a wealth of successful experience and energy to Randolph. His passion for our students and his desire for them to succeed in the classroom and in the ring is contagious.”

Mitchell has a proven track record in coaching riders that has won him prominence in the intercollegiate competition field. For the past 13 years he led the equestrian program at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. His teams claimed 27 collegiate horse show team crowns, including four Ivy League crowns. He coached one rider to a national championship, and had other riders place among the top 10 nationally.

He serves on the board of directors of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association and the equestrian steering committee of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Mitchell replaces long time director JT Tallon, who won three Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) titles while at the helm of the Randolph Riding Center. Mitchell is the fourth Director of Riding at the College.

The Randolph College Riding Center sits on 100 acres of land in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With two outdoor rings and an indoor arena, the riding program offers students the chance to learn riding in a beautiful setting through small classes taught by skilled coaches.

English professor asked again to pronounce for regional spelling bee

2012-01-23T16:40:00.000-05:00

Margie Lippard takes the stage
during one of her previous rounds
as a spelling bee pronouncer.

Between teaching composition at Randolph College and raising money for local nonprofits, Margie Lippard does not have a lot of free time on hand. But these days, what free time she does have is often spent reciting words and definitions.

Lippard will be the pronouncer for the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee next month. This will be her third year pronouncing all the bee’s spelling words, along with definitions, sentences, and other helps contestants can ask for. Although it requires careful practice, it is an event Lippard has come to look forward to.

“For a teacher of composition, it’s a pleasure to have students expand their vocabulary, know how to use words in sentences, and be really sensitive to the sounds of a word, to work it out if they don't quite know the word,” said Lippard.

Pronouncing words accurately and well comes naturally to Lippard: Her first job after college was teaching writing and speech at Harvard Business School. In her current full-time position as director of development for United Way of Central Virginia, she addresses audiences throughout the region to discuss the needs of nonprofit agencies and fundraising.

In 2010, Lippard began teaching “Finding Your Voice,” a writing course taken by many first year students at Randolph College. She likes being back in the classroom several hours each week.

“I thoroughly enjoy seeing the students progress in their writing and their ability to express their voice, she said. “They are so intelligent and curious and have great ideas. I love the mix of student-athletes and non-athletes, male students and female students, and multicultural students. The more diverse the classroom, the better the experience.”

Lippard said writing is both an art and a science, with spelling placed in the science side. In a world where Facebook, Twitter, and text messaging can foster communication with hasty misspellings and abbreviations, teaching at Randolph and serving in the spelling bee provide a breath of fresh air, she said.

“Spelling matters. It matters for a sense of pride as a writer. It matters to the reader, who relies on accurate spelling to convey meaning. It shows respect for communication and literature,” Lippard said. “Without correct spelling, our communication can become incoherent.”

“I see a great synergy between the mission of the spelling bee and the mission of the English Department here, and also the mission of the United Way, where one of our impact areas is education,” she said.

This year’s spelling bee will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, February 18, at the Paul Lawrence Dunbar Middle School for Innovation. The winner of the regional spelling bee will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

New Student Center Renovation Slideshow Available: January 23, 2012

2012-01-23T12:22:00.002-05:00

A slideshow is now available with photos of the Student Center renovation from June through December. See photos of the demolition and beginnings of reconstruction, and keep checking back for more updates and slideshows!

http://web.randolphcollege.edu/studentcenter/slideshow/index.html

Randolph College in the News: Construction Crews Uncover Link to the Past

2012-01-20T13:39:00.001-05:00

During the renovation of the Student Center, construction crews discovered a wall with the signatures of several members of the Class of 1946. It turns out that one of those names is now the grandmother of a first-year Randolph student.

Click here to see WSET's coverage of the story, or read "Leaving Their Mark" in the December edition of Randolph magazine.

Director of Capital Projects Bobby Bennett being interviewed by WSET reporter Lauren Compton.

Sarah Reed '15 stands under the wall featuring her grandmother's name, Betty Jo Warden '46. (The name is located in black above the name "Durham").

Martin Luther King service focuses on power of individuals to affect change

2012-01-18T15:42:00.000-05:00

John E. Klein, president of Randolph College,
and William A. Johnson, Jr., keynote speaker

The first African American mayor of Rochester, New York, urged an audience at Randolph College to focus on how they can follow in the footsteps of Martin Luther King, Jr., rather than think his accomplishments are unattainable.

“Never underestimate what the power of one person can be,” said William A. Johnson, Jr. “The next time you ask the question, ‘Who will be the next Martin Luther King,’ let me just direct you to one place: to the mirror. Look at it, and you will see who he is.”

Johnson was the keynote speaker for the College’s annual Martin Luther King remembrance service on Wednesday. Johnson witnessed the civil rights movement while he was growing up in Lynchburg. He now is a public policy and urban studies professor in Rochester.

He described the efforts of local civil rights leaders, such as Virgil Wood, who was present for the event. He said that King himself would have said that the success of the civil rights movement depended on many people who each made a difference where they can.

John E. Klein, president of Randolph College, presented similar thoughts during his speech. “Dr. King was one man, but he changed the world,” Klein said. “If all of us learned from his compassion, his courage, and his faith in the world, we too could make a difference in our communities.”

“The world has changed dramatically since 1963, when a quarter of a million people descended upon the nation’s capital to hear Dr. King’s vision of a world in which all men and women are truly equal,” Klein said.

“Thousands and thousands of women and men of all races and colors have worked to bring his vision to life. “Progress has been made, but not nearly enough.”

The program also featured remarks by Hermina Hendricks, the College’ director of multicultural student services and a music professor, and Nashiva McDavid ’12, president of the College's Black Leaders Association. Voices and Songshine, student a cappella groups at the College, led the audience in singing “We Shall Overcome” at the beginning of the program, and they each provided other songs later in the program.

Student Center Renovation Update: January 18, 2012

2012-01-18T14:52:00.000-05:00

Framework (the red steel beams on the left) began this week on a portion of the Student Center's new atrium.

What was just recently an open space with only steel framing now has the beginning of flooring.

This is a view of the main level of the Student Center from what used to be the entrance to the Skeller.

A view of what was previously the Skeller

A view of the main level of the Student Center from where the WWRM DJ booth used to be located.

The Skeller

Windows will soon be installed in the arched opening in the back.

The upper area (previously the third floor) used to be a choir loft when the Student Center facility was used as the College Chapel.

A view from the second floor.

An addition will be added to the building in the dug out area to the right.

After months of tedious demolition and foundation work, visible changes are quickly taking place in the Student Center facility. On the exterior, crews are just beginning work on the Center's addition (which will be located on the rear of the building.) A portion of the framing of the project's new atrium is also in place.

Inside the Student Center, changes are rapidly transforming the space as construction crews continue with flooring and other work. The work has revealed the spaciousness of the current facility and the potential that awaits as the renovation progresses.

Student-curated exhibition opens Friday at Maier Museum of Art

2012-01-18T11:31:00.000-05:00

Lots of students can say they have visited to museums and analyzed exhibitions, but students at Randolph College can now talk about what it is like to curate one.

Watch this short video about what the students learned as they curated this exhibition.

Mirror of a Passing World

Ephemeral Places, Vanishing Spaces

Opening Reception: Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, 4 - 7 p.m.
On View Until: April 15, 2012

For the next three months, the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College will show Mirror of a Passing World: Ephemeral Places, Vanishing Spaces, which was curated by a group of six students last semester. The exhibition explores the way that art preserves memories, events, and locations that otherwise would fade away.

In the past, some students have had the opportunity to curate exhibits in the Maier’s small gallery, but this is the first exhibition curated by a group of students and taking up both of the museum’s galleries, said Leanne Zalewski, who teaches art history at Randolph College.

Zalewski decided to teach a student curatorial seminar so more students could work hands-on with the College’s art collection. This gave students experience with each stage of curating an exhibition, such as selecting, choosing artwork, writing wall text, and hanging art. The process also helped them learn about the strict deadlines involved, especially when the exhibition is curated in a short amount of time.

“In this situation we had to curate the exhibition in a period of one semester, which is unusually short considering the scope of the exhibition—we have almost 50 objects in the exhibition,” Zalewski said.

Glenna Gray ’14 said Zalewski suggested the class to her, and she jumped at the chance to have hands-on experience planning and executing the exhibition. “Since it's student curated, we had a direct role in each decision of the exhibit,” she said.

Stormy Clowdis ’13 said the class gave her experience in the career field she is pursuing. “I want to go into the museum field. I felt taking this class would prepare me for the real world in museum studies and I could establish a good career for myself.”

Zalewski said the exhibition has turned out to be a success, and she and the Maier Museum staff plan to have another student group-curated exhibit in the next couple of years.

The exhibition includes oil paintings, prints, etchings, and other works of art. Each piece inspires a sense of nostalgia for the past, emphasizing how art preserves memories and impermanent locations.

Melissa Halka ’14 said she hopes the exhibition inspires viewers to pause, consider how the world is passing around them, and resolve not to let life pass them by. “I hope it inspires a meditative state, and that visitors will notice more of the smaller details in life and have a richer experience in life,” said Halka.

Students can major in sport and exercise studies

2012-01-17T17:03:00.000-05:00

Randolph College is launching a new major for students who are interested in becoming personal trainers, coaches, sports managers, and other professionals in the sports field.

The sport and exercise studies major was approved by faculty last semester, and classes for the major will be offered starting in the fall of 2012.

Carolyn Sarson, a physical education professor, leads the
new sport and exercise studies program.

The program offers students a background in the social and physical sciences related to sports, as well as activities such as prescribing exercise to increase health and managing sports facilities.

“We apply a liberal arts approach and offer a variety of classes that are in the sport and exercise studies discipline,” said Carolyn Sarson, a physical education professor overseeing the new major.

The College already has a physical education and health major focused on helping students get teacher licensure, but some students and prospective students have asked about studies focused more on exercise health and management, Sarson said.

Here are examples of some classes in the new program:

Exercise Physiology explores how the human body is affected during exercise and how it reacts to long-term exercise.
Sociology of Sport discusses the place that sports take in American society, and examines sociological issues, such as gender, as they relate to sports.
Sport Management covers strategies to manage athletic facilities, ranging from risk management to maintenance.
Exercise Testing and Prescription trains students to assess cardiorespiratory fitness and design exercise prescriptions that increase health.
Sports Psychology gives students insight into the mental and emotional factors affecting—and affected by—sports and exercise.

The core curriculum will be supplemented by classes such as weight training or dance.

Seniors in the sport and exercise studies major would complete an internship relating to their specific interests and participate in a seminar. Sarson also encourages students to select a minor such as business, communication studies, or psychology, to expand their knowledge in their area of interest.

Graduates would be prepared for careers in community, clinical, and corporate sport exercise fields, as well as master’s programs in exercise science, kinesiology, health promotion, wellness management, athletic training, sport psychology, and more.

Since the new major was announced, Sarson said she has had five students notify her that they intend to declare a sport and exercise studies major. She looks forward to welcoming new students with an athletic and academic interest in the major.

Student Center Renovation Update: January 11, 2012

2012-01-12T14:55:00.003-05:00

When Randolph community members left campus in December for the winter break, construction crews were still installing steel beams in the Student Center facility, and floor work was only in the beginning stages. The work completed during the past few weeks has significantly changed views in the interior of the facility. Steel framing is in place along with new flooring, and crews have now moved to the upper floors to begin the rebuilding process in those areas. On the exterior, workers continue the brick work required to install windows in what is now just a large opening into the facility. Renovations also continue in other areas of the facility, including the rear, which previously housed the Skeller.

Keep checking back for more updates weekly!

Greater Lynchburg Community Trust Grant will help fund Randolph College's Science Festival poetry contest

2012-01-11T10:50:00.003-05:00

LYNCHBURG—Randolph College has received a $2,000 grant from The Greater Lynchburg Community Trust (GLCT) in support of the College’s 2012 Science Festival.

The GLCT grant will allow the College to offer a poetry contest in conjunction with the Science Festival. The contest is open to all students in grades K-12, and the poems must have a science or math theme and can be in any form, such as Haiku, limerick, free form, etc. (See below for more details)

Now in its fourth year, Randolph's Science Festival is sponsored by the College’s Society of Physics Students and scheduled for March 22-25. Science Fest features hands on activities, demonstrations, and events all designed to spark an interest in science in people of all ages. The Festival also includes Science Day, an annual program geared toward younger children. Science Day has become increasingly popular since its inception in 2005.

"We could not have such a big event, with such a wide reach, without the support of GLCT," said Peter Sheldon, a Randolph physics professor who organizes the Science Festival. "Through the poetry contest, we are showing the connection between science and the arts, and we will reach out to the 20,000 or so K-12 students in the greater Lynchburg community. Through this grant, we are able to bring a part of the Science Festival to a large number of students, even if they are unable to attend the weekend event."

The poetry contest is open to all students from the area in grades K-12. The College will choose 39 finalists who will receive certificates. Of those finalists, three prizes of $100, $50, and $25 gift cards will be given in the elementary, middle and high school categories. If the winning poem is done as part of a class, the teacher of the winning student will receive an equal prize. Submissions must be postmarked by Feb. 17. Submissions can be typed, scanned, or e-mailed. Mail entries to psheldon@randolphcollege.edu or Peter Sheldon, Randolph College, 2500 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24503.

A reading of the finalists’ entries will take place at March 23 at 7 p.m. in the Jack Room of Smith Building on Randolph’s campus.

The Greater Lynchburg Community Trust exists to promote local philanthropy and to simplify the process of giving. The Community Trust receives and manages permanent gifts for the benefit of the citizens of the cities of Lynchburg and Bedford and the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell. Needs served are broad in scope including human services to children, youth, the needy, and the elderly; education; health; the arts; and the humanities.

For more information about Science Fest or Science Day, please see http://physics.randolphcollege.edu/sps/scifest/ or contact Peter Sheldon at psheldon@randolphcollege.edu

Main Hall corridor receives updated look

2012-01-10T17:09:00.001-05:00

A group of students is putting a fresh face on Main Hall, painting the hallways that lead away from the lobby.

The corridor walls have been blue for approximately 30 years, but the student workers are painting them a pale yellow.

The work should be completed by the time classes start next week, said Bob Hefner, a painter in the College's Building and Ground's department.

The College regularly hires students to help with painting projects between semesters. It is a win-win situation for all involved, as it gives students a place to live, some income, and helps freshen the look on campus, Hefner said.

Students working on the paint job include Mimi Joshi ’14, Samantha Lawrence ’15, Ben See ’13, Julia Kim ’14, Shreya Sharma ’14.

Some of the College's longest serving employees remember the walls being blue for as long as they have worked here.

They were painted blue in the late 1970s or early 1980s, when Sarah Tomerlin Lee ’32, a former College trustee, and her design firm completed a renovation and redesign.

The lobby was painted yellow in 1999, according to Heather Ayers Garnett ’86, director of alumnae and alumni.

This new look is just one major change to Main Hall. The College also is making progress on the $6 million renovation of the student center on the back of Main Hall. That renovation is creating features including gathering spaces, a theatre, a fitness center overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Students produce videos about climate change science

2012-01-02T15:10:00.000-05:00

Global warming is one of the most hotly debated topics today, and it also can be one of the most confusing—scientists, politicians, pundits, and Facebook friends will often put forth their opinions, often conflicting with each other.

A group of Randolph College students sought to separate fact from fiction with a series of videos debunking climate myths. As an assignment for their Earth Interactions and Global Change class, they chose misconceptions about climate change and explored what scientific research has actually shown.

“The purpose of this course is to equip students with the knowledge to discern whether the science is good, or its pseudo science,” said Karin Warren, an environmental sciences professor. To test the students' mastery of the topics, she assigned them to make educational videos.

“I wanted them to do something that would inform public understanding of climate change,” Warren said.

The project required students to not only understand the science, but also become interviewers, stop-motion animators, and storytellers who could explain the science behind climate change. They explored topics such as the temperature on Neptune, methane emitted in beef production, and the difference between predicting weather and predicting climate.

They created six videos, which are now available on the Warren posted them to the Randolph College Environmental Studies YouTube channel.

“They put in hours and hours of work on this project,” Warren said. “It’s not just something that’s going to sit on my desk and have nobody but me to see it.” Warren said that she hopes the videos will become a resource for school teachers who want to explain climate science to their students.

Students present research at national health technology conference

2011-12-20T17:10:00.000-05:00

Thawda Aung '13 and Jim Kwon '14 recently went to a national conference to talk about a technology they are developing with a Randolph College professor.

The two students traveled with Katrin Schenk, a physics professor, to the 2011 mHealth Summit, an annual conference that focuses on using wireless technology to improve medical care. This year's event brought together leaders in government, the private sector, industry, academia, health care providers and nonprofit groups from across the country.

Kwon gave a talk about using cell phones to measure gait speed. Aung presented a poster about using cell phones to monitor patients and motivate them to increase physical activity.

Kwon and Aung have collaborated with Schenk, as well as researchers from other institutions, to develop cell phone programs that measure a medical patient's activity, giving doctors better information about how to treat various illnesses. Their project won a grant from the Alzheimer's Association to study its application to Alzheimer's disease.

NAACP honors Hermina Hendricks for community service

2011-12-20T11:01:00.000-05:00

Earlier this month, the Lynchburg Unit of the NationalAssociation for the Advancement of Colored People honored a Randolph Collegestaff member for her service to the community.

Hermina Hendricks, the College’s multicultural studentservices director and a music instructor, received the organization’s CitizenAchievement Award, an annual award that recognizes people who have contributedmuch to the community.

Hendricks said she was surprised to learn that she wouldreceive the award, but it recognized that she had met a long-held goal. “Onething I always wanted to do was make a difference in my community,” she said.

Hendricks has served the community in numerous ways whileteaching music in the public schools, and working at the College since 1997.

She has served on grant review panels for the VirginiaCommission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. She has heldleadership positions in the Lynchburg Chapter of the Links, Project LEAD,National Committee for Services to Youth, Lynch’s Landing, the Virginia Centerfor Inclusive Communities, and more.

She recently conducted a choir for a holiday concertbenefitting the Dunbar High School Memorial Wall Committee. She is conductingresearch on the life of Clarence Seay, who worked for 30 years as principal ofDunbar, Lynchburg’s African American high school in the days of racialsegregation.

The endless service came naturally to Hendricks. “One thingled to another. When I was asked to serve on a committee or board, I would justsay yes and try to give my time, my talent, my energy, or my voice, to whateverthe community needed,” she said.

At the College, Hendricks teaches music history classes,such as jazz history and popular music in America. She also plans multiculturalprogramming and leads initiatives to strengthen diversity on campus.

A few years ago, she was one of the organizers of Lynchburg’sfirst Get!Downtown Festival, an annual event that draws thousands of people,including many local college students. She said the idea came about as she andothers were trying to help more people get to know Lynchburg.

“I wanted people to like the city and to see the city theway I see it,” she said.

Winter break in the U.S. Virgin Islands? Yes, please.

2011-12-19T13:24:00.002-05:00

What are you doing for winter break?

Six Randolph College spent finals week and the first part of the break on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. They conducted research that could be useful to people working to save the beautiful coral reefs there. (They soaked up rays in 80-degree December weather, too.)

This fall, they took an environmental forensics class taught by Kathy Schaefer, a biology professor, and Brad Bullock, a sociology professor. Then they went to St. John applying what they learned.

They tested water in the streams and bays around the island, looking for coliform bacteria, such as E. Coli. They hope to discover whether such bacteria are causing damage to the coral reefs.

The coral reefs are an important part of St. John’s ecology and economy, but they have experienced significant damage in recent years. Knowing whether coliform bacteria contributes to the damage could influence interventions designed to protect the reefs.

The research trip was funded partly by the Randolph Innovative Student Experience, a program that allows each student to apply for up to $2,000 to fund research projects, creative projects, and other projects and activities that give them hands-on experience and skills that apply what they learn in the classroom.

This research trip is one example of how Randolph students are gaining experience that is unique for undergrads. It also is a great reason to spend a couple of weeks travel to the Virgin Islands—in case you need an excuse to go there.

Much thanks to Danielle Robinson ’12 for sending the photos!

Tips for a sustainable, environmentally-friendly holiday season

2011-12-16T11:58:00.000-05:00

On the first day ofChristmas, my true love gave to me,

A donation to acharity—and a card on recycled paper, along with a basket of local produce.

The holidays areoften associated with plenty of activity involving buying, sharing, andthrowing away. But the celebrations can become more friendly to the environmentby rethinking a few traditions.

Ludovic Lemaitre ’11,Randolph College’s sustainability coordinator, and John Abell, a Randolpheconomics professor who studies sustainability, recently created a list of ways to make theholidays more friendly to the environment and the community.

From local food torecycled giftwrap, here are 12 ways to make a more sustainable season:

1. When youprepare for holiday dinners, stop by your local farmers’ market. Greens, meat,fruit, and dairy products are in season and often of better quality thansimilar supermarket items. At the market, you get fresh produce and invest inyour local community.

John Abell

Even if you are traveling out of town for a holiday dinner, you cancontribute to the sustainability of the meal by bringing locally-produced foodfrom growers you know. A cooler and ice will help you transport produce, turkey,chicken, or a ham.

2. Use reusableplates and cups. They are classier than disposables, and cut down on landfillwaste.

3. Look forrecycled, fair trade, or locally-made gifts. Yard sales, antiques, and thriftstores are also great places to find quality, meaningful, and low-impact gifts.Gifts without batteries are a bonus, because the recipient will not have to buybatteries nor throw them away.

4. If youwant to offer an electronic or electric appliance as a gift, select s productwith the Energy Star certification. It will cost less to operate and will bemore friendly to the environment in the long run.

5. When youwrap gifts, use reusable cloth, personalized brown paper grocery bags, or thecomics section of your newspaper.

6. Yourgift doesn’t have to be something you can hold in your hand. Go for servicessuch as dance lessons, performance tickets, whitewater rafting trips, campingtrips, etc. Also, consider giving a financial gift to a charity in thename of your family and friends.

Because people wish for their charitable contributionsto be used wisely, you might want to peruse Charity Navigator, where you can learn about how charities use their contributions.

7. Go lighton lights! There are many ways to decorate without making the electric meter goround. Look for LED lights and other reusable decorative items. Check out décorfrom fair-trade suppliers like Ten Thousand Villages, make your owndecorations, or buy local.

8. Try apotted Christmas tree that you can use for several years, or a plastic one madeof recycled content that you can use for a lifetime.

Ludovic Lemaitre

9. Donate itemsyou don’t use anymore. It will open up space in your closet or living room, makeother people happy, and give new life to your unwanted items.

10. Savepaper by sending electronic greeting cards. It will save on paper. However, ifyou feel paper cards have an irreplaceable feel to them, use recycled andFSC-certified paper.

11. When theholiday season is over, recycle everything you do not need: plastic bottles,aluminum cans, wine bottles, gift packages, etc. Compost food leftover fromholiday parties.

12. Give thegift of time. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, nursing home, homeless shelter, or anothercommunity organization.

Abell pointed out that a change in gift giving habits could be met withsome surprise as it departs from traditions. Therefore, the sustainable holidayhabits might require careful consideration, conversation, and role modeling.

What do you think? Have you and your family made any changes to limit theenvironmental and social impact of your holiday celebrations? Tell us in thecomments below.

Astronomy students study cosmic radio waves in West Virginia observatory

2011-12-15T16:56:00.000-05:00

Some of the most important signals stars send through the universe are invisible, so a group of Randolph astronomy students traveled to West Virginia to study the heavens with a radio telescope this month.

Starting at 4 p.m. on Dec. 2, the 30 students worked for 12 hours at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in Green Bank, W.Va. They steered a 40-foot radio telescope, collected information from cosmic radio sources, and analyzed the data. The process gave them experience with the kind of work professional astronomers do.

The observatory houses the world’s largest steerable radio telescope with a 100-foot diameter, as well as a 40-foot telescope that is used for educational purposes.

Katrin Schenk, a professor of physics and astronomy, said this was the first time she knows of the College taking students to the Green Bank observatory. While controlling and monitoring a large radio telescope is not an everyday experience, students regularly have the opportunity to study the skies in Winfree Observatory, the College’s star gazing facility featuring a computer-controlled 14-inch telescope.

The observatory also is open to the public for occasional Star Parties, which are listed in the College’s events calendar.

Green Engineering students use physics principles to build solar and pinewood cars

2011-12-15T12:24:00.000-05:00

Another group of Randolph College students has learned how to apply engineering principles to build their own solar-powered cars and help local Cub Scouts improve Pinewood Derby car designs.

The Green Engineering Design course explores how engineers can increase energy efficiency for power plants, manufacturing facilities, and vehicles. Peter Sheldon, a physics professor, developed the course after Edison2, a Lynchburg-based automobile design firm, won $5 million from the X Prize Foundation for building a car that gets more than 100 miles per gallon.

This fall, the students in the class built miniature vehicles powered by solar panels. That project culminated in a race, where the team Stagnetti’s Revenge—consisting of Pujan Shrestha ’15, Alex Kwakye ’15, and Mark Patterson ’15—won first place.

The next day, the class traveled to a church in Lynchburg where they helped local Cub Scouts design, build, and improve Pinewood Derby cars. The same type of engineering that can increase a car’s gas mileage can also help a wooden car speed down a track more quickly, so Randolph’s physics students have built a partnership with local Cub Scout groups to practice engineering principles.

In fact, the Randolph College Society of Physics Students hosts a Pinewood Derby race for the Cub Scouts at its annual Science Festival. The next Science Festival slated for March 22-25 in 2012.

In addition to teaching physics and the Green Engineering course, Sheldon coordinates the College’s dual degree program allowing students to study physics and engineering at Randolph for three years and then complete an engineering degree at a partner institution in two years.

Because engineering can help find solutions to many of the world’s problems, Randolph gives students the chance to learn the concepts of the science in an environment of accessible professors and small classes.

Student Center Renovation Update December 13

2011-12-14T14:10:00.010-05:00

What a difference a few weeks can make! The $6 million renovation project has now fully moved from the demolition phase into the building phase. The structural steel beams are in place in the main area of the Student Center. In fact, you can see the framework for the multi-level open space that will make it possible to see below from the WWRM's new DJ booth. Workers are also installing the flooring systems, which will soon lead to more visible changes.

In addition, what is now an opening in the side of the building will soon be transformed with large windows. Some brick is being removed to accommodate the materials.

Construction is also continuing in the back area of the facility, which previously housed the Skeller and other offices and spaces. The concrete floor has been laid and steel beams are also in place.

Construction will continue while the Randolph is closed for winter break.

It is an exciting time to be at Randolph College!

Computer lab font change could help save money

2011-12-13T16:50:00.000-05:00

If you can name this font, you can name one of the newer money-saving, environmentally friendly initiatives on campus.

This semester, the default font on all computers in the College's computer labs has been changed to Century Gothic. With its thin lines, it takes less ink to print a page in this font than in other fonts, such as Ariel or Times New Roman.

Today, this change was featured in a Campus Technology article about easy changes a college can implement to become more sustainable.

Ludovic Lemaitre ’11, the College’s sustainability coordinator, recently showed Victor Gosnell, chief technology officer, a Printer.com study about fonts that use less ink. Century Gothic emerged as the font with the smallest footprint, closely followed by Ecofont, which has tiny holes in the lines of text, and Times new Roman.

The second page of the Campus Technology article "Green Flash" tells how Gosnell decided to implement the changes at Randolph College. In September, the information technology team began changing the default font used in the College's computer labs.

"We continuously keep our eyes open for new ways to save resources, time, and money," Gosnell says in the story.

Davenport leaders adopt a home in Madison Heights

2011-12-12T16:25:00.000-05:00

A home in Madison Heights is ready for the holiday season thanks to a group of Randolph College students.

The students in the Susan F. Davenport Leadership Program have adopted a duplex owned by Rush Homes, a nonprofit that helps people obtain affordable housing.

Rush Homes allows groups to adopt homes to provide seasonal decorations, plant flowers, pull weeds, clean gutters, and complete other chores that the residents, who often have disabilities, cannot always do on their own.

Last summer, the Davenport Leadership Institute students decided to adopted a duplex in Madison Heights, a community in Amherst County. Tina Johnson ’93, director of the Experiential Learning Center, also invited past participants in the Davenport program to help with the home.

On Saturday, they went to the home, strung lights through outdoor bushes, swept the porch, and supplied bright poinsettias.

The leadership program is named for Susan Funkhouser Davenport '69. Through classes, mentoring, and community service, students in the program learn about leadership and strengthen leadership skills.

Students celebrate Holiday on Main by making cards for troops

2011-12-12T12:45:00.000-05:00

Randolph College community members made 108 greeting cards to be sent to U.S. military troops during Holiday on Main on Friday.

Holiday on Main is an annual tradition during which the College celebrates the season on the last day of classes before exams. Staff members offer homemade cookies and other treats for the students to enjoy.

This year, students, faculty, and staff decorated holiday cards that were then submitted to the Holiday Mail for Heroes program of the American Red Cross. The Red Cross distributes cards from that program to service members, veterans, and their families.

Other activities included making art on cards from the Maier Museum, decorating sugar cookies, signing up for the Career15 network, and enjoying time together before the stress of exams really kicks in.

You can see more photos from Holiday on Main 2011 in this Facebook album.

Political science students excited to meet and hear from political strategist Karl Rove

2011-12-08T14:53:00.001-05:00

Republican strategist Karl Rove will speak at Randolph College in January, giving students the opportunity to seek his insight on political strategy, campaigning, the Republican primary and a contentious presidential race.

Rove, the former deputy chief of staff and senior advisor to President George W. Bush, will speak at Randolph on January 26. The College has now opened reservations for free tickets to the public.

Political science students are anxious for the opportunity to speak with Rove and hear his thoughts. Because he is coming to campus less than two years after Howard Dean—former Vermont governor and chair of the Democratic National Committee—they have another chance to converse with a political giant.

“I think that few people have been able to hear firsthand from giants in politics like Howard Dean and Karl Rove,” said Will Dede ’14, who plans to become a legislative assistant after graduating. “Hearing them, their ideas, their positions, their ways of doing things, what they’ve done—that gives you more information than a lot of other people have.”

Rove advised former President Bush in his successful campaigns for the governorship in Texas and the White House.

Karl Rove at Randolph College

Election 2012 Insights

7:30 p.m. January 26, 2012

Smith Hall Theatre

Seating is limited. Request your free tickets online.

Since leaving the Bush administration, he has founded political action committees that support Republican candidates. He is a contributor to Fox News and a columnist for the Wall Street Journal.

Because Rove has always focused on strategy rather than actually serving in elected office, he should have interesting insights into the political process, Dede said. “What he’s going to bring to the school is not the policy side of things, but the political side of things: What you need to do to run a successful campaign,” Dede said.

Dede pointed out that Rove will be on campus shortly after the Iowa caucus and the South Carolina and New Hampshire. “I’m interested in talking to him about what he thinks the candidates are going to do to win the nomination,” he said.

Patrick Glynn ’12 said he expects Rove to provide a stark contrast to Dean’s visit and highlight the debate in the Republican nomination process. He said he looks forward the opportunity to talk with Rove.

Glynn said he expects to disagree with much of what Rove says—he recently worked on a state senate campaign for a Democrat candidate, and last summer he enthusiastically participated in President Barack Obama’s first Twitter Town Hall event. But he said he won’t pass up the opportunity to meet Rove.

“Regardless of my personal beliefs, I do find Mr. Rove to be a fascinating and relevant player in our political system,” Glynn said.

Sue Lockhart, a political science professor specializing in American government, said Rove, who is credited with Bush’s presidential victories, is a perfect follow-up to Dean, who is credited for coming up with the Democrat Party’s strategy that helped elect Obama.

“American politics are quite controversial,” she said. “Textbooks are fine, but hearing from and questioning major figures on both sides is a far better way to engage in the controversies.”

Chamber holds meeting for elected officials and constituents at College

2011-12-07T17:14:00.001-05:00

Randolph College hosted an event for the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, December 6.

The chamber holds "Pancakes and Politics" every December to allow constituents the chance to talk to politicians in state government about the upcoming General Assembly session in Richmond.

A group of local business officials filled Smith Banquet Hall for the meeting, which included breakfast catered by Randolph College dining services.

Elected representatives talked about the state of the economy and several issues that they anticipate the General Assembly will face next year.

Student works on photo-a-day goal

2011-12-06T09:53:00.001-05:00

Day 46: A photo collage featuring Daisy Chain

If a picture is worth a thousand words, Mimansha Joshi ’14 plans to have 365,000 words-worth by next spring.

Earlier this year, Joshi set a goal to take one photograph every day for a full year.

Since setting that goal, Joshi has documented events at the College, landmarks in Lynchburg, and trips to locations such as the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Niagra Falls.

“I just take my camera around,” she said. “I take lots of pictures, actually—sometimes four or five pictures in a day, sometimes one. Whenever I see something interesting, I take a picture.”

Day 229: Mimansha Joshi poured ink into water for this shot.

She posts the daily pictures in two Facebook albums, one for the first half of the 365-day challenge, and one for the second half.

Her favorite image is a photo collage of photos she took during Daisy Chain, a beloved tradition at the college during which sophomores weave a chain of daisies to present to the senior class.

Joshi said she has practiced photography as a hobby for about three years. She was first inspired by a young boy in her home country, Nepal, who had lung disease and spent most of his days sitting on the street near her home, looking at passing cars and people. She started photographing him every day to document his expressions every day.

Day 228: Portraits of Linda Dagnachew ’14

Later, she photographed protesters who were opposing political corruption in Nepal.

One photo she took in Nepal won first place in the People category of the College's 2011 International Photo Contest.

“Photos should tell stories about people,” she said.

Joshi is majoring in environmental studies, and she plans to return to Nepal to pursue a career in that field—possibly in waste water treatment.

Photography could become a backup career, but she prefers to make it a hobby. She has learned that it brings joy to her friends and herself.

“If I ask a friend if I can take her picture, that can really make her happy,” Joshi said. “And when I post them on Facebook every day, and people give comments, they really inspire me and help me take more pictures.”

Day 185: A portrait of Satoko Hiyane

Day 182: Joshi marked the halfway point of her 365-day challenge with this photo of a leaf divided in two.

Randolph Economics Students, Professor Published in Virginia Journal

2011-12-06T08:42:00.004-05:00

A paper researched and written by Randolph College students has been published in the Virginia Economic Journal. The students, who were part of the Economics of Food and Sustainability class taught by John Abell, spent the spring researching food deserts in Lynchburg.

The paper was the culmination of their semester-long research project. The students studied the foods and prices available at convenience stores, the incomes of residents in portions of the city, and other data.

“Research of this kind, involving hands-on data collection outside of the classroom, is still fairly atypical in economics research, where volumes of statistical data are only a mouse-click away,” Abell said. “For me, as a professor, it meant something brand new: incorporating the students as equal partners in much of the class decision-making process. They eagerly took on a number of new roles.”

The paper, “Inner City Food Deserts: Case Study of Lynchburg, Virginia,” was co-authored by John Abell, an economics professor, Lucas Brady ’11, Isabelle Dom ’12, Ludovic Lemaitre ’11, Mareeha Niaz ’12, Louise Searle ’12, and Reid Winkler ’12. It appeared in Volume 16 of the journal.

To learn more about their research, including some details of the price and income data they collected, see this news release at Randolph College.

College community gets involved with Christmas parade

2011-12-05T14:54:00.001-05:00

The Men's Lacrosse team helped at Lynchburg's Christmas
Parade on Sunday.

The Lynchburg Christmas Parade went well Sunday night with the help of members of the Randolph College community.

The Men's Lacrosse team volunteered to help with some critical logistics before the parade started. They helped get every group participating in the parade into their correct starting positions so the parade would go smoothly.

Amanda Denney, the director of student activities, served as one of the float judges for the event. She often gets out and volunteers in community events, as detailed in a recent Randolph magazine story.

Lynchburg organization recognizes Randolph for promoting downtown

2011-12-02T17:20:00.001-05:00

A downtown Lynchburg organization has recognized RandolphCollege for the role students and staff played in creating a hip downtownfestival.

Lynch’s Landing presented the award Thursday during itsannual ceremony to honor people, businesses and organizations that promotedowntown Lynchburg.

Randolph College had a role in the popular Get!Downtownfestival from the beginning. In a story in today’s News & Advance, HerminaHendricks, a music professor and director of multicultural services, explains that staff atthe College wanted to create an event that would help the city’s many collegestudents get to know the downtown district and local businesses.

“We wanted them to really know Lynchburg,” she explains inthe article.

The first Get!Downtown festival was held in September 2009,and it has become an annual event. Many Randolph College students have enjoyedspending time there, watching street performers including stilt dancers, mimes,hip hop dancers, and bands.

The event also helps Randolph students get to know the coffeeshops, restaurants, art galleries, bakeries, farmer’s market, and other localbusinesses just two miles south of campus.

Randolph College's radio station WWRM has played music for the Get!Downtown festival.

One Survivor Inspires: Gerda Weissmann Klein shares life experiences with Randolph audience

2011-12-02T14:47:00.001-05:00

When Gerda Weissmann Klein was rescued from the Holocaust, a small act of respect began her healing process.

On that day in April 1946, she stood outside an abandoned bicycle factory, where many other Jewish women were lying sick. A car drove up and an American soldier hopped out to speak with her.

He asked her to take him into the factory so he could survey the condition of the women there. Then the soldier—whom Klein would marry a year later—opened the door for her.

“I was 68 pounds, dressed in rags, and I had not had a bath in three years,” Klein told an audience at Randolph College Thursday night. “And here was this very handsome American officer opening the door for me. … With that simple gesture, he restored me to humanity.”

During her speech in Smith Hall Theatre, Klein summarized her experiences in slave labor and concentration camps during the Holocaust, and how her marriage and experiences in the United States helped her overcome fear and dedicate her life to service and inspiration. Hundreds of people attended to hear her story.

“My story is not unique. It happened to everyone who was unfortunate to be born in that time in that part of the world,” said Klein, who was born in Bielsko, Poland, in 1924.

During World War II, she was separated from her family and sold as a slave to work in a German textile mill. After enduring the cruelty of a concentration camp, she was one of about 120 women who survived a 350-mile death march as their captors sought to evade the Allies conquering Germany.

After Kurt Klein, a U.S. Army Intelligence officer, liberated her from the Holocaust, the two began a correspondence. They married after one year, and settled in Buffalo, N.Y.

Klein then embarked on a life of humanitarian service. She started The Gerda and Kurt Klein Foundation and Citizenship Counts, two nonprofits that work to help people to appreciate freedom, tolerance, and community service.

Her autobiography, All But My Life, was the subject of an academy-award winning documentary, One Survivor Remembers. This year, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from U.S. President Barack Obama.

She said many people have asked her what it was like to receive an Oscar for One Survivor Remembers. She recalled the wonder of being surrounded by the famous actors and actresses. But she also remembered hearing women crying because they had not won.

“What didn’t they win? It’s a very lovely golden figurine,” she said. “It stands in my living room, and when the sunlight hits it in the afternoon, it looks golden.

“But it is very cold.”

“In the loneliness after losing my husband, it hasn’t spoken to me,” she said. However, “The embraces of my grandchildren are tender and warm.”

Klein described the concept of “a boring evening at home.” Although she languished such nights as a child, her experiences in the Holocaust changed her perspective. “To come home to an evening at home with my family is now the greatest treasure,” she said.

She encouraged listeners to find joy in the fact that they can have such time with their family.

“When you return to your homes tonight, approach them slowly,” she said. “Approach them as a humble stranger would…and, through the eyes of a stranger, see what your homes and your lives contain.”

“Don’t focus on what might be missing, because there’s bound to be something missing from every life. Ask yourself the most important question: Why am I so lucky? Why am I so blessed? And if I am, what can I do for those people all over the world and in my own country for whom an evening at home is still utopia?”

Lynchburg video contest recognizes Randolph talent

2011-12-01T13:32:00.001-05:00

Lynchburg’s first city-sponsored video contest highlights the talent of several members of the Randolph College community.

Cameron Hall ’13, a communication studies major, took second place in the category for amateur filmmakers over the age of 18 for his video “Super Kid.” The video follows Finn Healy, whose parents work at the College, as he explores Lynchburg wearing a cape. Mariah Reed ’14, Caitlin Hall ’14, and Hanna Neifert ’14 also appear in the film.

The third place winner in the same category, “Return to Hill City” by filmmaker Christopher Deetz, features Patrick Glynn ’12 portraying a soldier who walks contemplatively through downtown Lynchburg.

The college even gained a mention in the first place winner in the amateur category, a comedy called “Planet Lynchburg” in which two people give an alien a tour of Lynchburg to convince him to not destroy the city. They mention the College in their final speech which successfully saves the city.

Here are the two winning videos featuring members of the Randolph Community:

The city’s marketing partnership sponsored the video contest, “Lights, Camera, Lynchburg,” with a total of $4,000 in prizes, to challenge residents to make videos about what they love about Lynchburg.

Student Center Renovation Update: November 30

2011-11-30T14:13:00.003-05:00

The inside of the Student Center is beginning to look much different than it has during the first months of the renovation process. Where workers spent most of their time on demolition, they are now building. The facility now sports new steel beams, and crews have begun to lay the flooring in some areas. In the part of the building that once housed the Bake Shop below and the Skeller on the main floor, there has been tremendous progress. Concrete has been poured, and steel beams are now in place. Crews will continue with the flooring during the coming weeks. Keep checking the blog for updates!

Christmas Vespers tradition continues

2011-11-29T16:55:00.001-05:00

Students will continue a Christmas-season tradition this Sunday with the performance of Christmas Vespers.

This annual service at the College includes scripture readings and songs by a choir, with some singing by the congregation. The music and words progress through the Biblical story of the birth of Jesus.

There is something special about that experience every year, said Randall Speer, music professor and director of the Randolph College Chorale.

"I don't feel ready for Christmas until I do that," he said. Alumnae of the College have expressed the same sentiment when they have returned for the service, he said.

This year's performance centers around O Magnum Mysterium by the Spanish composer Tomas Luis da Victoria. The text of this song speaks about the "great mystery" that Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger as animals watched, Speer explained. The music is exciting, with several different melodies carrying listeners through the text, Speer said. Three students are providing cello, violin, and flute accompaniment for this piece.

The program also includes two Christmas-themed segments from Randall Thompson's Place of the Blest, serving as a preview of an April concert when Chorale will perform Thompson's entire work with Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra.

Speer recently looked through a collection of printed musical programs and found that the College has held Christmas Vespers regularly for at least 30 years.

This tradition is just one way the College is ringing in the holiday season. Tonight, students have the opportunity to decorate a tree in the Main Hall lobby, followed by a tree lighting service at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8.

Holocaust survivor, Medal of Freedom winner speaks at Randolph this week

2011-11-29T10:28:00.001-05:00

Gerda Weissmann Klein's story has inspired millions.

She survived slave labor and brutal treatment during the Holocaust. Then she devoted her life to humanitarian service and spreading a message of hope. This year, she received the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, from President Barack Obama.

This week, she brings her story to Randolph College.

Klein is coming to Lynchburg for an event co-sponsored by the College and the Holocaust Education Foundation of Central Virginia.

At 7:30 p.m. today, the community can view One Survivor Remembers, an Oscar-winning documentary based on her autobiography All But My Life, in the Smith Memorial Building, room 300.

Then, Klein will speak at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Smith Hall Theatre.

Klein was 15 years old when German troops invaded her home town of Bielsko, Poland. She survived six years of Nazi rule, slave labor, and concentration camps. In 1945 she was rescued by Kurt Klein, a U.S. Army Intelligence officer, whom she later married.

Klein's life work has been dedicated to promoting tolerance, encouraging service, and combating hunger. She has written numerous books. She and her late husband founded the Gerda and Kurt Klein Foundation to provide educational programs toward those purposes. In 2008, she founded Citizenship Counts, a national nonprofit organization that promotes values of citizenship and community service.

The College is happy to host Klein and hear her message this week.

Gratitude this Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T01:00:00.001-05:00

We've noticed a lot of people on Facebook listing one thing for which they are grateful every day this month. Randolph College has a lot to be thankful for, too, this Thanksgiving. Here is a list of just a few things—we could never mention them all!

In the comments below, tell us what you're thankful for.

1. Dedicated professors who inspire and mentor. Ranked number one most accessible in the country, in the top 20 overall, our faculty make Randolph College what it is.

2. A rich heritage shaped by alumnae who studied here, started traditions, and built a solid academic reputation over a period of more than a century. Our students have a lot to inspire them!

3. Lively students who keep our campus energized and forward-thinking, whether they're studying, writing, dancing, or playing Humans vs. Zombies.

4. An art collection with about 4,000 works, housed in the Maier Museum of Art and in hallways and offices all over campus.

5. Caring staff that focuses on student growth and success.

6. Our future students. We look forward to meeting the class of 2016!

7. A $6 million student center set to open next year, and the alumnae and their families who supported it. Students will enjoy this space for generations to come!

8. A gorgeous historic campus, and a hard-working building and grounds team that keeps it looking top-notch.

9. Founders, trustees, and benefactors who believe in Vita Abundantior. Thank you for your leadership and support!

10. Our seniors, with funny hats and buttons. You always make us smile!

11. A multicultural campus where students celebrate their heritage and share it with others.

12. Student athletes who make us proud on the field and on the court—including a men's soccer team that won an ODAC title and then battled its way to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.

13. Randolph's Innovative Student Experience. Students are using their $2,000 grants to research water quality and coral reefs in the Virgin Islands, purchase art supplies,attend conferences, study abroad, and more.

14. High-profile speakers. Where else can you hear from the likes of evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, Muslim scholar Ziauddin Sardar, architectural historian Richard Guy Wilkins, and Presidential Medal of Freedom-winning Gerda Wiessman Klein all within one semester? We look forward to more great speakers, such as political strategist Karl Rove, next semester.

16. Autumn leaves. Although most of them have fallen now, they added a nice flare to our campus this year.

17. Our Honor Code. Students will start taking their self-scheduled, self-proctored exams shortly after they return from Thanksgiving break. That they have the integrity to be trusted with this privilege is awesome!

18. The right to have a say in government. Some of our students voted in Virginia's recent elections, and some worked on campaigns.

19. The chamber orchestra that the music department plans to debut next semester.

20. The dining hall staff who prepare great food, serve it with a smile, and wash the dishes for us.

21. The novelists, poets, and other writers who share their wit, wisdom and experience in the Randolph College Visiting Writers Series. Our students learn a lot from these professionals, and we all enjoy listening to them read their work.

22. A Summer Research Program that lets students stay on campus over the summer to conduct serious research with their professors.

23. Main Grounds coffee on a foggy morning, and Red Door coffee or hot chocolate on a cool evening, with some drink flavors invented by students themselves!

24. Songshine and Voices, our a cappella groups that make us proud, especially when they sing the College song together.

Education is key to producing leaders, trustee says in lecture

2011-11-22T14:14:00.001-05:00

A liberal arts education can help reunite the qualities andideals that produced great, historic leaders in America, according to JosiahBunting, a member of the Randolph College board of trustees.

Bunting spoke Monday at the College. The author of apublished biography on Ulysses S. Grant and a forthcoming book on George C.Marshall, he discussed the common qualities that made great leaders in thepast.

He introduced his audience to a new word—prosopography.

“Prosopography is a branch of history which is concernedwith groups allied in a common purpose or brought together by some extrinsiccause,” Bunting said.

In his lecture titled "Where Have the Great Ones Gone?" Bunting focused on a few generations of greatleaders and the common experiences that prompted greatness.

A classical education united the Founding Fathers. Educationin their time consisted of a significant amount of solitary study and thinking.The most-read texts were histories. “They were familiar with how previousrepublics, and how successful republics, or unsuccessful attempts at republics,were made,” he said.

Next in his discussion was the generation of 1880. Taught bypeople who had fought in the Civil War, this group of people later fought inWWI. The group includes Marshall, who served as Army Chief of Staff during World War II and as Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense later.

“The generation of 1880 furnished an extraordinary cohort ofAmericans who led us through the last years of the Great Depression, thecataclysm of the Second World War, and the post-war years,” Bunting said.

He also discussed the generation of young soldiers whofought in World War II. While they accomplished much for the country, they areslow to seek or accept praise, Bunting said. “They are modest. It’s hard to getanything out of them,” he said. “They were raised in a culture that was notdominated by celebrity and terrible political dissension.”

Some qualities found in all three groups include sound judgment;concern for the future; patient collection of facts; and a willingness tounderstand the positions of those of differing political opinions.

Service was a common theme in their lives. “There was aclear sense that you could put your knowledge to the service of nationalaspirations,” Bunting said. “It was a time of idealism.”

“I hope you’re all thinking about 2011 as I’m saying thesethings,” Bunting said.

Many of the qualities that made great leaders in the pastare noticeably absent today, he said. People do not spend long hours studyingsingle topics. Politics are locked in partisanship and gridlock. Fewer serve inthe military.

Bunting did not paint an entirely negative picture, though. He said the country can produce more great leaders through education that causes people to think deeply and openly.

“Ithink there is hope for the future,” he said. That hope can be found in “smallliberal arts colleges like Randolph, where teachers, in their own lives,constantly visible around students, are themselves the mature product ofliberal education and the good it can do.”

Multimedia Journalism minor adds to education options at Randolph College

2011-11-19T12:30:00.001-05:00

Randolph College students can now pursue a minor to gain skills that are crucial to today’s journalists.

The faculty recently approved a multimedia journalism minor. Currently, the minor consists of several journalism related courses already offered by the College. More courses could be added in the future, said Chad Beck, chair of the Communication Studies department.

“We have many students that consistently take journalism classes, so we know there’s a demand for it,” Beck said. “We decided that we needed to give students a multimedia journalism education.”

“Journalists today combine traditional methods of on-the-street,traditional investigative reporting, but they have to be multimedia professionals,” Beck said. “They have to use digital cameras for photography as well as filmmaking. They have to use blogs, and various forms of software for editing and publishing.”

Students can declare the minor and fulfill the requirements by taking 18 credit hours, including these courses:

COMM 102: Introduction to Mass Media—This course covers media organizations, what they do, and how we can analyze them.

COMM 111: Introduction to Communication and Cultural Studies—Learn how to analyze media in a cultural context.

COMM 211: News Reporting or COMM 212: Feature Writing—These two classes help students develop skills in writing news articles (about events and issues) and feature stories (about people, lifestyle, and culture).

COMM 330: News Media in the Information Age or COMM 432:Issues in Global Communication—Take a look at how journalism is meeting the challenges of reporting on an international, interconnected world, and how news reporting is playing a role in politics worldwide.

COMM 213: Newspaper Production Lab—The campus newspaper, The Sundial, is produced by students in this class.

COMM 279: Digital Filmmaking or COMM 181: Photography—A picture is worth a thousand words, so how much is a video worth? These classes explore storytelling through video and still photography. Both are essential elements of journalism today.

Students interested in broadcasting may also consider taking COMM 241: American Radio and Television, which examines how these media have changed since American families first tuned in to broadcast entertainment and news.

The Communications Studies department also encourages students in this minor to obtain an internship with a media outlet.

In the past, students have interned at our local ABC affiliate, WSET; Lynchburg Living, a local lifestyle magazine; Zohe Films, documentary filmmaker Jennifer Fox’s production company;and NBC Universal in Washington, DC.

Beck said this minor will give students a wide range of hands-on experience as well as theoretical understanding.

“We wanted to give students a career-oriented minor that also is grounded in the liberal arts traditions of Randolph College,” he said.

International Photo Contest Winners announced

2011-11-18T16:00:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to the winners of our international photo contest!

Here are the winning photos.

Category: People

First Place: Mimansha Joshi '14, Nepal

Second Place: Ashesh Maharjan '13, A Nepali Boy Sitting on the side of the Road

Third Place: Pujan Shrestha '15, People Crossing the River in Nepal

Category: Places

First Place: Shuang "Sara" Li '14, Suzhou, China

Second Place: Qi Zhang '13, Qing Yan, Old Town on a Raining Day, China

Third Place: Mariah Reed '14, Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland

The annual photo contest is open to all students, faculty, and staff, and highlights cultures and places around the world.

You can see the winners from 2009 in the first edition of Randolph Magazine.

WildCat ROOOOARRRRR Heard Across the Country as Fans Send Good Luck Wishes to the Men's Soccer Team!

2011-11-18T13:31:00.008-05:00

Friday afternoon WildCat fans gathered in the Quad to send the Randolph men's soccer team good luck wishes and plenty of WildCat spirit. The team left for Redlands, CA earlier in the week and will take on the University of Texas at Tyler Friday night at 8 p.m. EST in the NCAA semi-finals.

Randolph fans are invited to gather in Martin 315 at 8 p.m. for a webcast of the game. Those unable to be on campus can also cheer the WildCats at http://livestats.prestosports.com/redlands
You’ll find the men’s soccer item at the top of the right column—just click the “video” link.

The team, which is just in its fifth season, earned the spot in the Sweet 16 by first defeating Lynchburg College to win the ODAC championship and then toppling No. 2 ranked Christopher Newport 2-1 last weekend. The WildCats also defeated DeSales (PA) 3-2 Sunday to earn the spot at the NCAA Sectional Round.

And the accomplishments keep coming. Coach Bryan Waggoner was named the ODAC Coach of the Year Thursday while Corey Sindle '14 of Gloucester, VA was named the ODAC Player of the Year.

In all, six Randolph WildCat players received awards from ODAC. Sindle earned the squad’s first-ever first-team All-ODAC selection as a forward. Randolph tied for the most All-ODAC selections of any conference team with Roanoke College.

Sindle led the conference in goals and points and was in the top five in assists as well. He currently sits with 15 goals and five assists on the season. Sindle is the first ODAC Player of the Year at the College since 2008 when Lindsay Cross was Player of the Year for softball.

Will Wolf '14 (Goldsboro, NC/Cardinal Gibbons) earned second-team All-ODAC honors in the back for Randolph. Wolf has played in all 22 games this season, starting all but one of those as the captain of the WildCat defense while allowing only 22 goals all season.

Midfielders Jacob Hood '14 (New Market, MD/Linganore), Nick Cornell '13 (Front Royal, VA/Warren Co.) along withforward Timmy Songer '12 (Windsor, VA/Windsor) all earned third team All-ODAC, as did first-year back Coulton Watson '15 (Virginia Beach, VA/Salem). Watson was one of only two first-year players to find his name on the All-ODAC lists.

Waggoner was selected as the league’s top mentor after leading the WildCats to their first-ever ODAC Championship this season along with an 18-5 record. Randolph has posted two win streaks of eight games this year, and also has knocked off two ranked opponents including No. 2 Christopher Newport University in the NCAA Tournament First Round.

Go WildCats!

Randolph chef and professor provide tips on making a local Thanksgiving Dinner

2011-11-18T13:26:00.004-05:00

A couple of days ago we told you about Dave Wasson, executive chef for Randolph College's dining services, and John Abell, an economics professor, filming a news segment about buying local and eating locally-grown foods.

Here, you can watch Wasson and Abell in action. They talk about using local foods and how you can make Thanksgiving dinner using local ingredients.

You can read Wasson's recipes on WSET's website.

Watch video > > >

Trustee Josiah Bunting to speak on prosopography

2011-11-17T15:15:00.005-05:00

From time to time, a relatively few people accomplish great things that enrich the world culturally and politically.

Josiah Bunting, a trustee of Randolph College, will speak about these groups of people and their contributions in a discussion titled "Where Have the Great Ones Gone?" on Monday, November 21, at 4 p.m., in Legget 537.

Bunting is an expert on prosopography—the historical study of groups allied in a common enterprise or mission. He has written a book on a biography on Ulysses S. Grant for Arthur Schlesinger’s presidential series, and he is currently completing a biography of George C. Marshall, who was Army Chief of Staff during WWII and later served as Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense.

Bunting will lead a discussion on prosopography in America in 1780, 1950, and 2010, highlighting how concentrations of talented people at certain times in the history of the United States have created great changes.

Bunting is president of The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation in New York City. He previously served as superintendent of his alma mater, the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia. He also has been president of Briarcliff College and Hampden-Sydney College.

Students learn dining and networking etiquette from staff

2011-11-16T16:15:00.011-05:00

Linda Ray talks about how to properly carry a glass.

The way you eat at a networking or social event can make a big difference in the first impression you present to potential employers.

Today, Krista Leighton, director of career development, and Linda Ray, catering supervisor, met with students to give them tips for making a good impression through proper etiquette.

“The more one knows about proper etiquette the more successful they will be in connecting with people in a professional and advantageous way,” Leighton said.

Ray pointed out that business manners convey confidence and respect to employers and potential employers.

Several students came to hear the advice and sample some cheesecake and cream puffs that were used in the demonstration. They discussed etiquette for formal dinners, receptions, and social functions.

Here are some tips that Leighton and Ray discussed:

If you are given a name tag, write your full name. Place the name tag on the same side of the hand you will use to shake hands, where it can be seen easily.

Don’t pile hors d’ourves on your plate—it leaves a bad impression.

When carrying a wine glass on a plate, use your thumb to hold down the base. Also carry a napkin, since the glass will get condensation.

Look into a glass while drinking, rather than looking over the glass to observe your surroundings.

Don’t point out another person’s breach of etiquette.

This event is one way that the College is providing students with the chance to polish their skills that can be helpful in job searches and employment later on.

Linda Ray serves a dish of hot peppers from South Africa to demonstrate how to take food from a passed tray.

Krista Leighton shows how to shake hands firmly and where to wear a name tag.

Randolph chef, economics professor film news segment on local foods

2011-11-15T15:50:00.007-05:00

Randolph College Executive Chef Dave Wasson will make his TV premiere Thursday, November 16 at 5 p.m. on www.wset.com in Lynchburg.

Wasson recently filmed a cooking segment with Lauren Compton, a WSET reporter. The story will explore the locavore movement and why people should be concerned about where their food comes from. John Abell, a Randolph economics professor, will also be featured in the story offering expert commentary on the movement and the pros and cons associated with buying your food from mostly local sources.

Wasson, who works for Aramark Dining Services, the company contracted by Randolph College, spent time with Compton showing her several tasty, yet easy recipes for food using mostly local ingredients.

Watch WSET on Thursday to see what dishes they chose and the outcome! You might even get a recipe or two!

Randolph professor speaks on discipline in local news broadcast

2011-11-14T12:28:00.004-05:00

A local television station recently turned to a Randolph College professor to explain good ways to discipline children.

WSET produced the story in reaction to a YouTube video that purports to show a parent beating a teenage child. A reporter asked Consuella Woods, who teaches teacher education at the College, to talk about the line between acceptable punishment and abuse.

Woods stressed the importance of avoiding violence and anger during punishment. You can watch the video here.

Randolph College presents hit rock 'n roll musical, Spring Awakening

2011-11-10T16:58:00.007-05:00

Spring Awakening

A Rock n Roll Musical

Directed by Mace Archer

Shows: Nov. 17 – 21

Time: 7:30 p.m., except 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

Tickets: $13 General Admission, $10 Randolph College Faculty/Staff/Alumni,
$10 Adults over 60, $5 all students

A musical that rocked Broadway is now coming to the Randolph College stage.

Spring Awakening, which opens in one week, features a rock ‘n roll sound track. It also touches on material that will help people ponder difficult issues, said Mace Archer, a theatre professor and the director.

“Spring Awakening is a contemporary rock musical that deals with young people, high school students, coming to terms with their blossoming sexuality,” he said. “I think those issues are ever present for this age group.

“But in this show, it takes place in an environment where adults are not willing to talk about it.”

The play follows the story of several teens in 19th Century Germany, and it shows how a lack of information regarding sexuality causes confusion. It includes themes such as sexual abuse, teen pregnancy, homosexuality, and suicide.

“That play resonates in a place like Lynchburg, where people do have a wide range of views on these matters,” Archer said.

The musical is based on a play written by Franz Wedekind in 1891 that was banned in Germany due to its controversial themes. It was adapted into a rock ‘n roll musical by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater. It received acclaim on Broadway and was popular with high school theatre students, Archer said.

In Thoresen Theatre, the cast and technical crew are building a set to create a rock concert feel, including a large guitar that looms at the back of the stage and lights that will change more than 160 times during the show. The actors and musicians also are working to perfect their performance.

“From a performance standpoint, this play asks the actors to take risks. It demands that these young actors be mature and responsible,” Archer said. “It's nothing to take lightly. We want the young people who see this play to really think deeply about these issues.”

Amber Keesee ’14, the stage manager for the show, has seen it come together as actors, choreographers, and the technical crew have brought the story to life.

“This play was a craze when it was on Broadway. It’s not been off Broadway all that long,” she said. “It’s awesome to be a part of that.”

Randolph first-year wins ODAC honors

2011-11-08T16:56:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to Shana Nelson, a first-year student at Randolph College, for being named to the all-Old Dominion Athletic Conference second team.

The volleyball player from Columbia, Md., is the first WildCat first-year to win all conference honors since 2007.

For more information on her outstanding season, see the Randolph College athletics page.

Men's soccer captures ODAC title, advances to NCAA

2011-11-07T13:51:00.003-05:00

Randolph College's men's soccer team was founded only five years ago. Now, it has won a conference title and will advance to the NCAA National Championship Tournament.

The team bested cross-town rival Lynchburg College 2-1 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference finals Saturday night at WildCat Stadium.

This Saturday, they will compete at Christopher Newport University in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Coached by Bryan Waggoner, the WildCats have had an impressive season on the soccer field. Winning the past six games, they have scored a 16-5 record.

For details on last Saturday's championship game against LC, check out coverage in The News & Advance, WSET, and Hill City Sports. Find photos from the game at John Shupe Photography's Facebook page. Also, here is a video showing some game highlights:

Alumna to speak to students, community about environmentally friendly chemistry

2011-11-04T21:34:00.001-04:00

Every day, Libby Somer ’03 helps companies make their products more friendly to the environment.

On Sunday and Monday, she will talk to current Randolph College students and members of the community about how green chemistry can create opportunity in the economy.

Somer was a math major, and was the first student at the College to minor in environmental studies, said Karin Warren, the Herzog Family Chair of Environmental Studies.

After graduating, Somer received a master’s degree in energy and environmental analysis. She currently works for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Design for the Environment program.

“They will, as a free service, help companies redesign their products so they don't use as many toxic chemicals,” Warren said.

Somer will meet with students to give them career advice on from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday in the Alcove Conference Room in Caldwell Commons.

Then she will give a public talk, “Creating Opportunities for Business through Green Chemistry,” at 5 p.m. Monday in room 101 of the Psychology building.

Student Center Renovation Update November 4, 2011

2011-11-04T15:31:00.000-04:00

Construction continues on the $6 million Student Center renovation. Footings have been poured, and workers continue to make the final preparations before the steel beams are placed and floors are constructed. Demolition work takes time, but the end result will be worth it!

President John E. Klein Volunteers During Lynchburg Exchange Club's Annual Pancake Jamboree

2011-11-04T14:17:00.005-04:00

Randolph College President John E. Klein joined dozens of other city leaders and celebrities Friday, November 4 to “flip pancakes” for the Lynchburg Exchange Club’s Annual Pancake Jamboree.

The event, which is in its 52nd year, benefits programs of the Lynchburg Exchange Club. In recent years, proceeds from the event have gone to organizations like the MDA, Crisis Line of Central Virginia, Boys and Girls State, For Kids’ Sake Safety Day, CASA of Central Virginia, the Miller Home, Patrick Henry Boys Home, American Red Cross, Lynchburg Life Saving Crew, and the Lynchburg Police Foundation.

Klein volunteered during the busy lunchtime rush and manned one of the busy griddles with John Randolph “Randy” Nelson, a member of Lynchburg City Council. The $8 tickets included all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, coffee, and other beverages, and the event ran throughout the day.

Randolph College professors team up for poetry reading

2011-11-04T10:37:00.007-04:00

Randolph professors Jim Peterson and Randall Speer are teaming up for a special poetry reading Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. in the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College.

The free reading will feature poetry from Peterson’s latest books, The Resolution of Eve and The Owning Stone with musical compositions created by Speer. Peterson, an English professor, and Speer, a music professor, will lead the reading, which will also include performances by Harriet Peterson, Jerry Wells ’12, Ed Mikenas, Rafael Scarfullery, Katie West-Hazelwood ’13, and others.

Scholar to address 'The State of Islam' in lecture at Randolph College

2011-11-03T10:25:00.004-04:00

This year has brought significant change to the Arab world, with protests, uprisings, and revolutions, and one Civil War in the Middle East and North Africa.

What do these events mean? How will they impact the relationship between Islam and politics; between the Middle East and the rest of the world?

Ziauddin Sardar, one of the world’s most renowned scholars of Islam, will address those topics at Randolph College next week.

He will deliver the lecture “The State of Islam” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, in Wimberly Recital Hall.

“In today’s world, someone who is discussing the state of Islam is talking about something important,” said William A. Coulter, Randolph College’s Eichelbaum Professor of English and the chairman of the committee that invited Sardar.

Coulter said that a Randolph College student met Sardar two years ago while participating in The World in Britain, the College’s study abroad program in Reading, England. The student then suggested that Sardar come to speak here.

Sardar, of London, is known as a pioneering thinker on contemporary Islam, writing about a wealth of topics relating to Islam and the modern world, including cultural relations, science policy, literary criticism, and more. He teaches in The City University and regularly contributes to the New Statesman and The Guardian. He has written more than 45 books, including two international bestsellers.

His speech at Randolph College is part of the Philip Thayer Memorial Lecture series, which is funded by an endowment in the honor of a retired history professor.

Students create their own mandalas

2011-11-02T12:08:00.007-04:00

Sarah Cottone '15 and Amanda Cooper '13

Some students are making mandalas of their own after observing the art form.

Last week, Kathy Muehlemann, an art professor, took all of her classes to Houston Memorial Chapel to observe a group of Buddhist monks as they made a mandala.

The week-long demonstration allowed the students to experience another culture and its approach to art, Muehlemann said.

Many other students viewed the demonstration throughout the week, including those in religious studies and sociology classes.

Wednesday morning, some of Muehlemann's studio art students were making their own mandalas.

While a real mandala is made by arranging colored sand on a 5' x 5' board, these students are making their own on a smaller scale, using paint, markers and other materials. Some are making original designs, while others are copying intricate designs of real mandalas.

Sarah Burgeson '15	Michael Ehilegbu '14
Chris Ernestine '14	A mandala made by Victoria Francis '13

WildCats Advance to ODAC Championships!

2011-11-02T08:30:00.004-04:00

Randolph College's men's soccer team clinched a spot in the ODAC championship final Tuesday night with a thrilling win over Virginia Wesleyan. On Saturday, the WildCats will face the winner of Wednesday's game between Lynchburg College and Eastern Mennonite.

The men's soccer team is the third team in a year to advance to the ODAC championships. The men's basketball team and women's softball team both made it to the finals last season.

For more coverage, please see

http://web.randolphcollege.edu/newsevents/pressreleases/news_detail.asp?id=1348

http://wildcats.randolphcollege.edu/news/update.asp?id=2075

Another paper written at Randolph chosen for intercollegiate academic journal

2011-11-01T14:15:00.009-04:00

An essay by a 2011 alumna of Randolph College will appear in Apollon, an intercollegiate journal of academic writing from all disciplines.

“Writing the Female Experience,” by Elizabeth Zehl ’11, will appear in the online edition that will go live this month.

The paper examines, compares, and contrasts How I Became Hettie Jones and Jane Eyre as stories that relate the experience of a woman growing to adulthood. “The nearly 150-year distance between the works’ publications indicates the extreme divergence of the experiences of their authors,” Zehl wrote.

“It offers a fascinating comparison very concisely,” said Jason Cohen, founder of Apollon. “It’s a good paper.”

Nominate Now

Bunny Goodjohn, director of Randolph College’s writing program, has started accepting nominations for the Best short Paper and Best Long Paper awards for this academic year.

Professors can nominate those papers until March 2012 by e-mailing Goodjohn.

A professor at Berea College in Kentucky, Cohen said Apollon was started to help academic writing reach an audience beyond the professor. “While every school has an outlet for creative work, very few have an outlet for what happens in the classroom after it’s been graded,” he said.

Randolph College has had a connection with Apollon from the start. Mara Amster and Bunny Goodjohn, English professors at Randolph, have been enthusiastic supporters of the publication, Cohen said. Randolph College students have participated in the editing and review process for the journal, too.

Two of the four papers selected for Apollon’s first edition were written by recent Randolph College graduates: Victoria Winfree ’11 and Katherine Janson ’10.

The papers by Winfree, Janson, and Zehl have something else in common: They have all won writing awards at Randolph College and were featured in The Jack, the College’s own online publication for academic writing.

As part of its commitment to excellent writing, the College presents student writers with awards and cash prizes for Best Short Paper, Best Long paper, and Best Senior Paper each year.

The winning papers then are published in The Jack, along with a list of students who received excellent writing evaluations from at least two professors.

Cohen said Randolph’s “in-house celebration” of writing achievements creates an atmosphere that can help students succeed and continue to publish their work in journals beyond the College.

For more information on Randolph College's Writing Program and The Jack, read this Randolph magazine story.

Monks finish mandala and hold closing ceremony at Randolph College

2011-10-28T18:00:00.001-04:00

It took more than 30 hours of painstaking, back-breaking labor to create the beautiful sand mandala in the Randolph College chapel, and only a few minutes to destroy it.

Friday afternoon, the monks of Tashi Kyil monastery, in Dehra, Dun, India, conducted a closing ceremony with more than 150 people present.

In chanting and music similar to the opening ceremony (available in video here), they consecrated the mandala and prayed for permission to dismantle it. Then they slowly wiped their hands across the 5' x 5' surface.

Soon, there was nothing left but a blue board with pale colored sand left on it.

The monks swept the sand into a bowl, and passed some of it out in individual bags to people who were present. The sand is said to have healing powers.

Then they walked across campus to a wooded creek that empties into the James River. There, they poured most of the remaining sand into the water. According to Buddhist philosophy, doing this can bless animals in the water and also carry the healing powers of the mandala sand throughout the world.

They kept some sand to carry to the AIDS Walk in Washington, D.C., the next stop on their journey.

Throughout this week, the monks have worked tirelessly in the chapel, lived in one of the College's dorms, interacted with students and community members, explained their beliefs, and sold Tibetan goods to raise money for their monastery. People of various religious traditions marveled at their dedication to create a beautiful work of art with religious significance.

In one week, they became a part of the College community, and they will not be forgotten.

Kissing the horse for United Way

2011-10-28T17:25:00.002-04:00

Randolph College's Kiss the Horse fundraiser ended with an epic equine smooch and a donation to United Way of Central Virginia on Friday afternoon.

Tina Barnes, coordinator of disability services and the Learning Strategies Program, was given the honor of kissing Rex, one of the horses from the Randolph College Riding Center.

All this week, Randolph College community members have voted to select a staff member or professor to kiss the horse. They placed votes by placing money in the jar for their favored contestant.

The contest raised $211.74, which will benefit United Way of Central Virginia and its partner agencies, which provide education, health care, food, and other necessities to people in need in the Lynchburg area.

Events at Randolph College to examine Thomas Jefferson and other Founding Fathers

2011-10-28T14:32:00.005-04:00

Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson's retreat home near Lynchburg, is one example of his love for architecture and agriculture.

Two lectures this week will highlight how Thomas Jefferson influenced early America, beyond penning the Declaration of Independence and serving as president.

Jefferson scholar Richard Guy Wilkins will expound how Jefferson shaped Virginia architecture at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, in room 537 of the H. G. Leggett building.

Design historian and author Andrea Wulf will then discuss the gardens of Thomas Jefferson and other Founding Fathers at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, in Wimberly Recital Hall (Presser Hall).

Architecture and gardening were important to Jefferson, who even intermingled the two in his building and landscape designs, said Leanne Zalewski, a Randolph College art professor who coordinated Wilkins’ lecture.

“He believed that architecture would help civilize our new nation,” Zalewski said.
Wilkins, the Commonwealth Professor and chair in the Department of Architectural History, at the University of Virginia, will speak about “Thomas Jefferson and the Making of Virginia Architecture.”

Jefferson left his stamp on Virginia architecture by combining features of masterful designs from France, Italy, Greece, and other European countries, Zalewski said. Those influences can be seen in Monticello, the University of Virginia, the state capital, and Poplar Forest, Jefferson’s retreat home just a few miles from the Randolph campus, and other local buildings that mimicked Jefferson’s style.

Andrea Wulf will speak at Randolph College Thursday, Nov. 3.

On Thursday, Wulf will speak about her book, “Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation.” She will discuss Jefferson’s gardens and landscapes, along with those of other Founding Fathers, such as George Washington, John Adams, and James Madison.

Their attitude toward gardening, plans, nature, and agriculture helped shape the new nation. Wulf will guide the audience through this retelling of America’s founding using beautiful illustrations.

Zalewski said agriculture played a significant role in Jefferson’s architecture, especially at Poplar Forest and Monticello, his homes.

Wilkins’ lecture on Wednesday and free open to the public.

Tickets to the Founding Gardeners event on Thursday can be purchased for $20 online at Poplar Forest’s events page or by calling the Poplar Forest Museum Shop at (434)534-8120. Randolph College students, faculty, and staff can attend for free by showing their campus ID.

Monks make time for Randolph's preschoolers

2011-10-28T12:19:00.005-04:00

Several of the Tibetan monks visiting Randolph's campus this week took time out to meet preschoolers from the College's Nursery School. The monks were putting the final touches on a Medicine Buddha mandala when the preschoolers arrived for a short visit. After watching the monks, the children entertained the visitors with a rehearsal for their upcoming Halloween concert.

Seven monks from the Tashi Kyil Monastery have spent the week creating the sand mandala in the College's chapel. They have worked from 10 a.m until 7 p.m. each day, painstakingly placing millions of grains of colored sand. The monks chose the rocks, smashed and pounded them into sand and colored them while at their monastery in India.

The monks are from Tashikyl, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Dehra Dun, India. A Buddhist cultural center in Indiana is hosting them for a tour of the United States The monks, who are from a monastery in Dehra, Dun, India, are on the last leg of a U.S. tour designed to share the Tibetan culture, promote peace, and raise much needed funds for their monastery. Their next stop is in Washington, D.C.

Trick-or-treat: Students will collect canned food on Halloween

2011-10-28T11:47:00.002-04:00

Some Randolph College students will go trick-or-treating this Halloween, but they won’t be asking for candy.

Instead, the group will knock on doors in the Rivermont and Boonsboro area and ask for canned food for area nonprofits that serve the poor.

The College’s chapter of the Student Virginia Education Association is organizing the effort, but all students are welcome to help.

The group will meet in the Main Hall lobby at 6:30 p.m. Monday, wearing Randolph College T-shirts.

Their food gathering will be focused along Rivermont Avenue and the V.E.S. Road area.

After Halloween, they will organize the canned goods and deliver them to local groups that distribute food to people in need, including Daily Bread and the Salvation Army.

“We knew Thanksgiving was coming up, and collecting food would help, said Rachel Reid, co-president of Randolph College’s SVEA chapter and a graduate student at the College.

SVEA is a pre-professional association for future teachers in Virginia.

Tibetan Monks close week at Randolph with special ceremony

2011-10-28T08:44:00.007-04:00

The Buddhist monks visiting Randolph's campus this week will finish their sand medicine mandala today. The closing ceremony is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. in Houston Memorial Chapel. The monks, who are from a monastery in Dehra, Dun, India, are on the last leg of a U.S. tour designed to share the Tibetan culture, promote peace, and raise much needed funds for their monastery.

See local media stories here:

http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2011/oct/27/buddhist-monks-work-complete-medicine-mandala-rand-ar-1416292/

http://www.wset.com/story/15862287/buddhist-monks-create-mandala

Who will kiss the horse?

2011-10-27T11:57:00.002-04:00

LYNCHBURG—One Randolph College professor or staff member will have the honors of kissing a horse Friday, October 28 as part of the College’s United Way of Central Virginia fundraising campaign. At 2:45 p.m., one of three contestants will be deemed the winner of the equine smooch off and will kiss one of the horses from the Riding Center.

The big kiss will take place in front of Main Hall.

All week, Randolph community members have voted by placing donations in the jar of their favorite contestant. The professor or staff member earning the most money will win the honors. All of the money raised will benefit the United Way of Central Virginia.

The contestants include Bill Mattson, a chemistry professor, Kim Sheldon, director of student success, and Tina Barnes, coordinator of disability services and the Learning Strategies Program.

Student Center Renovation Update October 26

2011-10-26T14:58:00.015-04:00

New footings are now visible on the main floor of the Student Center, and steel beams will be placed very soon. Workers continue to dig and pour footings for the space. Old footings and supports are now visible next to the new versions, providing an interesting contrast and glimpse at construction methods of the past.

In addition, several windows in what used to be the Skeller have been knocked out and will soon be replaced with brick. This important foundation work will continue for a few more weeks. Keep checking back for more updates!

College emphasizes sustainable practices this week

2011-10-25T16:29:00.003-04:00

Randolph College is having its first Sustainability Week to help spread awareness and discussion of sustainable practices in food and .

The week's events began Monday, National Food Day, when the dining hall served a lunch with a focus on local, sustainable food, including some food grown in the College's organic garden.

Monday afternoon, the Food and Justice Club Randolph College served local apples and cheeses in Caldwell Commons.

Events continue Tuesday with an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Red Door, a student-run coffeeshop featuring organic, fair-trade coffee and tea. The Red Door will sell a special hot, local apple cider for $1 (for customers who bring their own mug).

Other events include:

Wednesday (Campus Sustainability Day)

The Randolph College Community Coffee will feature sustainable coffee at 10 a.m. in the Main Hall lobby.

From 5 to 7 p.m. in Leggett 537, students can participate in a webcast and interactive conversation about how to create and maintain a sustainable, environmentally conscious campus.

Thursday

Randolph College students are invited to watch the film If a Tree Falls at 6 p.m. at Lynchburg College.

Friday

The Red Door and the Environmental Club will serve local wine and apple cider from 5 to 8 p.m.

Saturday

A Community Work Day will be held at the Randolph College Organic Garden on Quinlan Street from noon to 3 p.m. Lynchburg College students will participate as well, and on Sunday, Randolph College students are invited to participate in a work day at Lynchburg College's organic garden on Sunday.

Monks begin mandala demonstration at Randolph College

2011-10-24T17:09:00.004-04:00

Seven monks from the Tashi Kyil Monastery have begun building a sacred sand painting in Houston Memorial Chapel.

More than 100 people attended the opening ceremony Monday afternoon, when the monks consecrated the space with deep chanting and music.

Following the opening ceremony, the monks began measuring and drawing a design on the 5' x 5' wooden frame.

Throughout this week, they will position millions of grains of sand to build a Medicine Buddha mandala, a sand painting said to have healing powers.

The public is invited to all events during the monks' visit:

Every day, the monks work from 10 a.m. through 7 p.m. in the chapel. Tibetan artifacts will be sold in Caldwell Commons.

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Suzanne Bessenger, a Randolph College Religious Studies professor, will deliver a lecture titled "Mandalas and Meaning."

At 3 p.m. Friday, the monks will hold a closing ceremony, where they will consecrate the completed mandala, sweep up the image, and pour the sand into a nearby creek.

Share this event with your friends through this Facebook page.

For more information, read our previous blog post.

Pan World Coffeehouse celebrates cultural traditions

2011-10-24T11:03:00.007-04:00

The Randolph College community packed Houston Memorial Chapel Saturday for the Pan World Coffeehouse, a celebration of the many cultures represented at the College.

The event featured performances 14 performances and presentations, including an international fashion show, a Moroccan wedding dance, a Korean pop dance, and the reading of Islamic poetry.

Afterward, attendees sampled homemade international foods.

The Pan World Club at Randolph College promotes cultural awareness and celebrates friendships between students from around the world. The club organizes the Coffeehouse event every semester to showcase performances from different cultures and ethnic groups.

Lecture to reveal role of writing in ancient Chinese cities

2011-10-22T13:00:00.002-04:00

More than 3,000 years ago, two cities arose on opposite sides of China’s Huan River, only to be abandoned within a few hundred years.

On Wednesday, October 26, a scholar of Chinese archaeology will visit Randolph College to expound on the history of those cities and the role that writing played in the urbanization of China.

Haicheng Wang, a professor from the University of Washington in Seattle, will deliver his lecture “Writing and the City in Early China” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 26, in the H.G. Leggett Building, Room 537.

One of the two cities he will discuss, Yinxu, served as the last capital of the Shang dynasty.

The lecture is presented by the Lynchburg Society of the Archaeological Institute of America and the Randolph College Classics Department.

Wang holds degrees from Princeton University (Ph.D.), Peking University (M.A.), and Yantai University (B.A.). His current research is on the invention of writing and state formation in early China, and the Zhou bells and Chinese Museum before Confucius.

College dedicates Caldwell Commons

2011-10-21T13:20:00.005-04:00

Lucy Williams Hooper ’73, Katharine “Kitty” Stark Caldwell ’74, and President John E. Klein

Randolph College dedicated a newly renovated area on campus Friday morning, honoring Katharine “Kitty” Stark Caldwell ’74 for her generosity and dedication in service to the College.

Caldwell Commons includes a refreshing foyer area with leather furniture, the campus store, and three conference rooms. Located near Cheatham Dining Hall, it offers students a place to relax and mingle throughout the day.

Some quotes from the dedication ceremony:

“She has been out all over the country raising friends for the College, improving relationships, and, by her own example of generosity, inspiring others to give.” — Lucy Williams Hooper ’73, chair of the Board of Trustees

“Kitty leads a very busy life, but she always has a place and time for the College.” — President John E. Klein.

“I don’t know of any other trustee who will go to the Texas Inn at midnight to eat a Cheesy Western.” — Don Giles, a member of the Board of Trustees, speaking of Caldwell

“It’s been a tremendous privilege to serve with the Randolph-Macon ladies who are on this board. To see their character, their determination, their hard work.… It’s been a real inspiration for me.” — Don Giles

Janie Campbell '12

“When I first arrived back on campus this summer, I saw Caldwell Commons, and I was taken aback at how much it had transformed. … It really enhances the spirit of the college. The whole campus has a heightened sense of pride.” — Janie Campbell ’12

“This is so special. It’s so beautifully done and quite an asset to the college.” — Frances Jones Giles ’65, former member of the Board of Trustees

Caldwell has served on the Board of Trustees since 2002. In 2008, she and her husband Hacker Caldwell gave a $1 million gift to the College.

They also helped fund the creation of an illustrated book documenting 100 years of the Maier Museum of Art Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Art.

The Caldwells live in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee.

Students prepare to battle zombies again

2011-10-20T17:40:00.003-04:00

Get your Nerf guns ready.

Randolph College is gearing up for another round of Humans vs. Zombies, a game that has gained popularity on campus.

The game begins with one anonymous “zombie” who seeks to tag humans to turn them into zombies. Untagged humans can fend zombies away with nerf guns.

Around 70 people plan to participate in this weekend’s game, said Conrad Bailey, one of the students organizing the game.

This Humans vs. Zombies game will begin Friday and last until Sunday, Bailey said.

In the past couple of years, Humans vs. Zombies proved to be a fun way for students to enjoy their time together and meet new people. In 2010, the student government recognized an official Humans vs. Zombies club on campus.

For a glimpse of Humans vs. Zombies at Randolph College, watch this video from our YouTube Channel:

Student Center Renovation Update October 20

2011-10-20T15:12:00.005-04:00

At first glance, the Student Center does not look much different than it has over the past few weeks. However, much work has been accomplished underneath the facility. Construction crews have been busy digging footings and doing other foundation work. Crews are about three or four weeks away from installing steel beams and supports. Once the steel is in place, work will rapidly progress to flooring and other visible renovations.

For more updates, please keep checking the Randolph College blog.

Joshua Poteat to read poetry at Randolph College

2011-10-18T12:06:00.004-04:00

With natural elegance and untiring invention, Joshua Poteat writes some of the most remarkable poetry you are ever likely to encounter. – Blackbird, Spring 2003, Vol. 2, No. 1

Award-winning poet Joshua Poteat will visit the Randolph College campus and read some of his work Wednesday night.

Poteat is the writer in residence at the College of William and Mary this year. He has published two books of poems, Ornithologies and Illustrating the Machine that Makes the World, both available in Lipscomb Library, as well as a chapbook, Meditations.

He also branches into the visual arts, making light boxes out of materials he finds.

Poteat will read some of his poetry in the Jack Lounge in the Smith Memorial Building from 8 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.

The free event is part of the Randolph College Visiting Writers Series, which brings expert writers to campus to teach students about their craft and share their work with the community.

“[Poteat is] a poet of bristling intelligence who knows what has already been done and has decided not to do it again. He is utterly without clichés.” – David Wagoner, judge for the T.S. Eliot First Book Award, 2002

Randolph College hosts state senate debate

2011-10-13T15:42:00.006-04:00

Randolph College recently hosted a debate between Bert Dodson and Tom Garrett, candidates for the 22nd District seat in the Virginia state senate. The Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce event drew about 160 people to Smith Hall Theatre.

Jennifer Dugan, a political science professor, moderated the debate.

Representatives from local and regional media outlets asked questions of the two candidates.

Bert Dodson

Tom Garrett

They answered numerous questions on topics such as the state gasoline tax, balancing the state budget, funding education, electricity rates regulation, and helping small businesses.

After the debate, the candidates mingled with local residents and Randolph College students in Smith Banquet Hall.

Monks to make sacred mandala at Randolph College

2011-10-10T13:10:00.007-04:00

Seven Buddhist monks from India will share the sacred, healing art of colorful sand painting at Randolph College this month.

During the week of October 24, the monks will create a Medicine Buddha sand mandala in Houston Memorial Chapel at Randolph College. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the chapel will be open so members of the Randolph community and the general public can watch the sacred art.

During the week, the monks will live in a residence hall on campus, said Suzanne Bessenger, the religious studies professor who invited the monks.

“It’s an opportunity for students to interact with a culture and lifestyle that isn’t all that accessible to them in the United States,” said Bessenger.

The monks are from Tashikyl, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Dehra Dun, India. A Buddhist cultural center in Indiana is hosting them for a tour of the United States.

From September through November, they are traveling the country to share their culture and their religion through workshops and demonstration programs.

Bessenger learned through a friend that the monks had about a week-long gap in their schedule. She worked with other groups in the college to invite the monks.

She asked the monks to demonstrate the mandala, a sacred Tibetan Buddhist art form that creates a beautiful five-foot square painting from colorful sand. Specifically, they will create a Medicine Buddha mandala, which promises healing.

The opening ceremony will be held Monday, October 24, at 12:40 p.m. The monks will consecrate the chapel using chanting and the music from sacred horns. Then they will begin the exacting task of forming the detailed artwork with millions of grains of sand.

Mandala Demonstration at Randolph College

Opening Ceremony: Monday, Oct. 24, 2011, 12:40 p.m.
Closing Ceremony: Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, 3 p.m.
Open for public viewing 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily.
Location: Houston Memorial Chapel

When they complete the artwork, they will hold a closing ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday, October 28. They consecrate the mandala and then dismantle it—symbolizing the impermanence of all that exists. They will sweep up the colorful sand and pour it into the James River, allowing the healing energy to be carried through water to the rest of the world.

However, they will save out some sand from the mandala made at Randolph College so they can carry it and its healing energy the following week when they participate in the Aids Walk in Washington, D.C.

Randolph College’s current quality enhancement plan is titled “Bridges Not Walls,” emphasizing the College’s ability to build bridges between cultures and help students develop intercultural competency. Bessenger said the monks mandala demonstration is a great opportunity for the College to practice its “Bridges Not Walls” ideals.

Richard Dawkins visits Randolph College, speaks about 'magic' of science

2011-10-06T14:17:00.005-04:00

Richard Dawkins spent the day Wednesday at Randolph College, about five years after his last visit. In between media interviews about his new book, The Magic of Reality: How We Know What is Really True, he took time between media interviews to visit with students and faculty members.

In a reception Wednesday afternoon, students had a chance to visit one-on-one with the acclaimed evolutionary biologist. They asked him questions and had him sign copies of his books.

In a speech before an audience of about 800 Wednesday night, Dawkins walked through some chapters of his book. He also demonstrated some features in an iPad app that was made for the book.

Here are some of the topics he touched on:

Does evolution depend on luck?

Dawkins said evolution has created many biological advantages as species advanced. If evolution were driven by random luck, such advances would seldom emerge.

“All those things would not come by shear random luck,” he said. “Anyone who tells you that living things come about as a result of random luck is talking pure nonsense.”

Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution involves non-random natural selection, he said. Because the development of species is spread out over millions of generations, “in each generation the amount of luck required is not particularly large.”

Are we alone in the universe?

Dawkins said no one knows whether there is life on other worlds, but he believes there is.

“I think that life is in fact common in the universe,” he said. However, “it is possible that the islands of life in the universe are so spread out, so few and far between, that they may actually never come together.”

He challenged the audience to think about the implications of believing that only earth has life: that would mean that the evolution of life would have to be “quite stupefying unlikely” and would make our existence seem more like the result of random chance.

Can science explain everything?

“What I don’t want to do is give the impression that science thinks it knows everything and can be confident that all things are laid out before us,” he said. “There are things that even the best science cannot explain.”

But that is cause to continue study and research, he said. “We shouldn’t rest until we’ve improved our science, until it can provide an explanation.”

Q&A

After the speech, Dawkins answered questions from numerous audience members. The topics of questions included the fate of dinosaurs, artificial intelligence, the development of human consciousness, politics, religion, and extraterrestrial life.

Pumpkin Parade 2011

2011-10-06T08:49:00.003-04:00

Randolph College students, families, staff, and faculty joined together during Family Weekend and Homecoming for one of the College's most popular traditions, Pumpkin Parade. The week prior to the event, sophomores carve special pumpkins for their designated seniors. The seniors then parade across campus on a lit path to the steps of Moore. There, they sing and chant with their sister class. Per tradition, Randolph College President John E. Klein made a special appearance to sing "We are the Evens, "a parody of "We are the Champions" by Queen. Klein was joined by Terry Bodine, interim dean of Students, Mike Quinn, vice president for constituent relations, Wes Fugate, executive assistant to the president, and Heather Garnett, alumnae/alumni director.

See the show at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3p7K9BNQzE&feature=email

Randolph College presents Reasons to be Pretty

2011-10-04T12:23:00.003-04:00

Reasons to be Pretty
performance at Randolph College

Performance dates:
7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 - Free preview for Randolph Community
7:30 p.m. Oct. 6-8 & 10-11; 2 p.m. Oct. 9 - Public evening performances

Location:
Lab Theatre, Room 203 in Harold G. Leggett Building

Tickets: $10 (general admission), $8 (Randolph employees), $5 (students)

WildCat Theatre returns to the stage this week to prod audiences to think about a tough question about life and love.

“What if you knew the person who you were going to be with forever didn’t think you were pretty?” said Mace Archer, chair of the theatre department at Randolph College. “The more you think about it, that would be tough, waking up next to that person every day.”

That’s the issue tackled by Reasons to be Pretty, a contemporary play by Neil Labute. The play revolves around Greg and Steph, a young couple in love. Greg tells a friend that Steph is not as pretty as the new girl in the office. When Steph learns about his comment, “it throws their relationship into chaos,” Archer said.

The play has only four characters, which Archer said is unique among other theatrical productions at Randolph College and in the Lynchburg community. The cast and crew have had about five weeks to memorize and rehearse the two-hour show.

Reasons to be Pretty was on Broadway three years ago, and the production rights were released only about a year ago. The College jumped at the chance to produce a contemporary show. “We want our students to be up with the times and familiar with what’s going on in theatre right now,” Archer said.

The show marks the debut of new seating in the Lab Theatre. This summer, the College replaced the hard wooden bleachers with moveable risers with soft, padded chairs.

The play is directed by Hiawatha Johnson Jr., a Randolph College theatre professor.

Greg and Steph are played by Tom Heynan ’15 and Sonja Cirilo ’15. Kent and Carly, the other couple in the play, are portrayed by Matt Cornpropst ’14 and Rebekah Baumgartner ’12.

U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte Visits Randolph College

2011-09-29T16:14:00.006-04:00

U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte visited Randolph College's campus Thursday, September 29 where he received a tour and spent time with students. Randolph Trustee Don Giles also joined Congressman Goodlatte on campus. During Congressman Goodlatte's tour of campus, he was able to view the newly renovated library and Academic Resources Center. He was also able to see the progress that has been made on Randolph's $6 million Student Center renovation.

Goodlatte began his tenth term representing the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia in 2011.

Fun Run returns for Homecoming

2011-09-29T11:44:00.002-04:00

An old tradition is returning to Randolph College for Homecoming.

Saturday morning, runners will compete in the 3K Fun Run, dashing up and down hills all around campus. The running will start at 10:30 a.m. on the track. There will be refreshments, awards, and door prizes. Don't miss out! (Pre-registration is not required.)

The run was started in the 1970s when Tom Michalik, a former physics professor, mapped out a run that took in "every hill on campus," said Peter Sheldon, a physics professor who organized the Fun Run this year. The original campus 3K was called the "Billy Goat Run."

When Sheldon joined the College faculty in the late 1990s, the college had not held the race for some time. But Michalik gave Sheldon a copy of the map showing the route. Sheldon, who also serves as assistant coach for the cross country teams, resurrected the race as a Family Weekend tradition.

For the past several years, the Virginia 10 Miler 4 Miler races have been held on Family Weekend, so the College opted to participate in those races rather than hold its own. This year, Sheldon was asked to revive the race again.

"It's supposed to be a fun run around campus," Sheldon said. "It's as fun as running up every hill on campus can be."

Take a look at the Fun Run course on the USA Track & Field Web site.

Randolph community plans to pick apples for charity during Family Weekend / Homecoming

2011-09-29T09:51:00.003-04:00

Many of the activities planned for Homecoming and Family Weekend are fun, but some members of the Randolph College community will take some time for service, too.

A group of students plans to pick apples at an orchard at Gross' Orchard near Bedford, Virginia. The apples will be donated to the Society of St. Andrew, a nonprofit group that distributes food to people in need.

By Wednesday afternoon, about 30 students had signed up to help with the project. Families who are visiting the College for Homecoming or Family Weekend are welcome to help as well.

Here is a map to Gross' Orchard. Click here for directions, too.

Two shuttles will transport students to the orchard, about 30 miles from campus. The first shuttle will leave front campus at 8:30 a.m. and return at 11:30 a.m.

The second shuttle will leave at 9:30 a.m. and return at 12:30 p.m.

Students who would like to ride a shuttle should contact Jen Brestel in the office of alumnae and alumni.

Randolph College to host screening of French film with director, actress

2011-09-23T15:57:00.003-04:00

Prunelle et Melodie is a movie about two best friends, with a twist.

The two French characters cannot talk to each other: Prunelle is blind, and Melodie is deaf and dumb. But the short film tells the story of how they learn to communicate and help each other live their dreams.

Randolph College will present a screening of the film at 4:30 p.m. October 5 in room 537 of the Harold G. Leggett Building. Mathieu Simonet, the director, and Julie Voisin, who plays Prunelle, will be present and will answer questions after the film.

The event is free and open to the public. The film will have English subtitles, said Francoise Watts, a Randolph College French professor.

Every year, Watts works with French professors at other Virginia colleges to arrange for French filmmakers to tour the state. They take students to the Richmond Film Festival each March, select a film, and then invite directors or actors to visit the various colleges.

Prunelle et Melodie impressed Watts on several levels.

The two girls have ironic names. Prunelle is the French word for the pupil of an eye, but Prunelle cannot see. Melodie refers to a melody, but she cannot hear, Watts said.

The girls meet in an education facility that is meant to help people with disabilities adapt to everyday life. They devise ways to communicate and decide to escape the facility.

“They form a very close bond because Melodie can see for Prunelle, and Prunelle can hear for Melodie,” said Watts.

The entire film takes only about 34 minutes.

“That’s the beauty of this film, being able to tell so much in a short period of time,” she said.

Like many French movies, it focuses more on emotion rather than action. “It’s very moving. It’s about the beauty of life. It’s a song for life,” Watts said.

After the film screening, Simonet and Voisin will answer questions. The reception will be held in the lobby of the Leggett Building, where French students will meet French members of the Lynchburg community.

Randolph College Nursery School Holds Annual 1/10th-Miler Race

2011-09-23T12:53:00.005-04:00

The Randolph College Nursery School held its annual 1/10th-Miler Friday as part of a celebration of Lynchburg's 10-Miler race. The 1/10th-miler has been a much anticipated tradition at the College's preschool for more than a decade. Students spend the week before the race preparing by exercising and learning about eating healthy.

On the day of the race, the "juniors," students in the 3 and 4-year old class, cheer on the "seniors," the 4 and 5-year old class. The seniors then race the length of the gym to the cheers of family, friends, and College students. Wanda WildCat also joined the preschoolers to celebrate. The event even drew media attention from WSET.

Students each receive a medal for their participation.

Faculty concert to highlight contemporary female composers

2011-09-22T16:43:00.003-04:00

Piano recitals can be exciting, Emily Yap Chua hopes to prove Saturday.

The Randolph College music professor will present a concert featuring driving rhythms and soaring melodies from the music of contemporary female composers. During a sonata that will end the concert, she will stand up numerous times to reach one hand into the piano and press on the strings to alter the piano's sound.

Chua believes that will make the moment memorable.

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 24, in the Wimberly Recital Hall in Presser Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.

Chua hopes the concert will help people understand and enjoy contemporary piano music, she said.

"People, I think, sometimes get the wrong impression of what it means to be performing contemporary music, or what contemporary music means," Chua said. "They think it's something that sounds like noise, and they think it's really unapproachable music. That doesn't have to be the case.

"Part of our mission in the department, both for the students and for the community, is to educate people about music," she said. "I thought (the concert) was a good way to help people understand that there is significant music written by women today, and it's music that people can listen to and enjoy without having to have a really academic understanding of the music."

Student Center Renovation Update: Sept. 22

2011-09-22T12:53:00.013-04:00

Work on the $6 million Student Center renovation project is progressing--though most of the changes over the past few weeks have been beneath the building and not visible. Workers have spent the time digging out footings in the spaces under the ground floor.

That foundation work will continue for a few more weeks, but soon crews will begin the actual "building" process.

Keep checking back for more updates!

Education key to empowering women, says alumna featured on NPR

2011-09-21T10:30:00.003-04:00

A National Public Radio show recently highlighted one alumna’s work to improve the lives of girls and women in Kenya.

Kakenya Ntaiya ’04 appeared on the Diane Rehm Show on Tuesday. The show focused on a new World Bank report that demonstrates economic gains from gender equality. The audio archive is available here. (Ntaiya starts speaking shortly after the 21 minute mark.)

Ntaiya agreed that greater equality and education creates ripple effects that improve the world for the next generation. “If you invest in a woman, she is going to invest in her daughters. She is going to invest in her boys. She’s going to bring up a family.”

But that theory supported by the World Bank report needs to be put into practice, she said. “What does that mean to a local woman in my own village who has no access to credit, who has no right to property?” she said. “…To me it's always going back to really empowering women.”

Women can be empowered through education, she said.

Eleven years ago, Ntaiya convinced the elders and others in her village to support her decision to move to the United States to attend Randolph-Macon Woman’s College. While at the College, she often talked about her plans to start a school for girls in her village.

That dream was realized two years ago when the Kakenya Center for Excellence opened. The school now has nearly 100 students, she said in the Diane Rehm Show interview.

“Our aim is to really empower the girls to tell them there are no limits to what they can achieve,” she said.

Ntaiya is finishing graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh and plans to return to Kenya later this year.

Her story has been chronicled in The Washington Post, National Geographic, and other publications.

Men's Soccer Ranked 25th in the Nation!

2011-09-20T15:14:00.003-04:00

Randolph's men’s soccer team was ranked 25th in the nation Tuesday by D3soccer.com. The ranking is a first for the undefeated WildCats, currently sporting a perfect 7-0 overall record going into Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play this week.

The poll, voted on by coaches, writers and school sports information directors, was released Tuesday morning. The WildCats earned 47 total votes, which was three more than the next team receiving votes, Plattsburgh State. The team ranking is the first in College history, though the men’s basketball team received votes last year in the D3hoops.com poll.

"It's a tremendous accomplishment for a team to achieve a national ranking," said head coach Bryan Waggoner. "It's taken hard work over the five years from all of our players, and this is not just and accomplishment for our team but for our Randolph family. We want to continue to build going forward, and I know our team is not satisfied and will continue to work even harder."

Randolph is the only ODAC school currently ranked, and one of only two Virginia schools with No. 2 Christopher Newport University being the other.

For more see http://wildcats.randolphcollege.edu/news/update.asp?id=1998

Lecture will highlight little-known Greek temple

2011-09-20T14:01:00.003-04:00

An artist's rendering of the temple of Athena at Sounion.

One of the most unique examples of Greek architecture is also relatively unknown—but a lecture at Randolph College will shed some light on the subject Wednesday night.

Barbara A. Barletta, a University of Florida professor of classical art and archaeology, will present “The Temple of Athena at Sounion” at 7:30 p.m. in room 537 of the Harold G. Leggett Building at Randolph College.

The temple stands out from other Greek buildings because it was constructed with columns on two adjacent sides, rather than two opposite sides or completely surrounding the building. It structure also represents the Ionic order of Greek architecture, which was typical of the Aegean Islands but not mainland Greece.

During the Roman Empire, the temple was dismantled and portions of it were moved about 44 miles to Athens, where the pieces were used in the construction of a new temple.

Barletta will explore evidence for the building, its reconstructed appearance, and the artistic context in which it developed. She also will discuss possible reasons for the temple’s reuse during the Roman period.

2004 Alumna Speaks Out on Gender Equity on The Diane Rehm Show

2011-09-20T11:50:00.003-04:00

Alumna Kakenya Ntaiya '04 is once again speaking out for gender equity. President and founder of The Kakenya Center for Excellence, Ntaiya was a featured guest on NPR's The Diane Rehm Show Tuesday, September 20.

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-09-20/economic-gain-through-gender-equality

Ntaiya has made it her life's mission to help young girls in Africa receive education, self-realization, and leadership skills. As a young girl, Ntaiya was determined to follow her own path. She negotiated with her village elders to do what no girl had ever done before: leave her village in south Kenya to go to college in the United States. She promised to use her education to benefit Enoosaen.

Since her graduation in 2004, she has done just that.

The Kakenya Center for Excellence is a primary boarding school focused on serving the most vulnerable underprivileged Maasai girls. The first primary girls’ school in the region, the academy focuses on academic excellence, female empowerment, leadership, and community development. Located in Keyian division of the Trans Mara district of Kenya, the Center opened in May 2009 with 32 students. The Center enrolled an additional 31 students in January 2010 in fourth grade. The goal is eventually to enroll 150 students in grades four to eight.

For more information, see http://www.kakenyasdream.org/

No Shame Theatre returns to Randolph College with a 'Best Of' show Friday

2011-09-15T09:33:00.001-04:00

Fifteen popular performers will take to the stage at Randolph College Friday night for the return of Lynchburg’s only No Shame Theatre.

No Shame Theatre gives artists, musicians, and other performers a place to debut their work before an uncritical audience. Mace Archer, a Randolph theatre professor, launched the Lynchburg edition of No Shame Theatre last year, but the series took a break during the summer.

The season premiere will take place at 8 p.m. Friday in the Thoresen Theatre, on the third floor of the Harold G. Leggett Building at Randolph College—a few hours earlier and on a more prominent stage than No Shame’s usual arrangement. Admission will cost $5 for students and $10 for adults, with proceeds going to theatre scholarships at the College.

Archer hopes to see No Shame regulars and newcomers join the audience on Friday.

“We want to celebrate the work that was done last year, and we want to share what’s been done with people who have not ventured out at 10:45 at night (No Shame’s usual hour) so they can see what it is,” Archer said.

Friday's performance will be a “Best of” show. Archer scheduled some of the more popular performances from last year’s events, including some performances nominated by fans of the No Shame Theatre Lynchburg Facebook page.

There will be 15 five-minute performances, including:

music on guitar and piano
a drum circle
a belly dance
stand up comedy.

After this week, Lynchburg No Shame Theatre will return to its regularly scheduled time and venue: 10:45 p.m. on Fridays in the lab theatre on the second floor of the Leggett building.

It will also return to its usual, unplanned approach in which performers sign up on a first come, first serve basis, and its usual cost: a suggested donation of $5.

Archer said he is proud to see No Shame return.

“Randolph has a history of being free thinking, open minded, and non-judgmental,” he said. “That’s what No Shame is about. It’s a place where people can speak their minds and try new ideas.”

For more background on No Shame Theatre, read these stories from The News & Advance and Randolph magazine.

Richard Dawkins Returns to Randolph College Oct. 5

2011-09-14T15:06:00.000-04:00

Richard Dawkins, deemed “Darwin’s Rottweiler” by Discovery Magazine, will return to Randolph College on Oct. 5 to talk about his latest book, The Magic of Reality: How We Know What’s Really True.

The event, scheduled at 7:30 p.m. in Smith Hall Theatre is free and open to the public. However, tickets are required.

Dawkins first visited Randolph’s campus in 2006 for a powerful lecture that resulted in a standing room only event, with audience members from all over the state and region.

A British ethologist, evolutionary theorist, and popular science writer, Dawkins first came to prominence with his 1976 book, The Selfish Gene, which popularized the gene-centric view of evolution. Named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2007, Dawkins is a Fellow of the Royal Society and held the University of Oxford’s first Chair of the Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science.

He is the author of 10 additional books, including The Selfish Gene (1976, 2nd Ed 1989), The Extended Phenotype (1982), The Blind Watchmaker (1986), River Out of Eden (1995), Climbing Mount Improbable (1996), Unweaving the Rainbow (1998), A Devil’s Chaplain (2003), The Ancestor’s Tale (2004), The God Delusion (2006) and The Greatest Show on Earth (2009).

The Magic of Reality: How We Know What’s Really True is set for release in the United States on Oct. 4.

The author of numerous articles, Dawkins's awards have included the Silver Medal of the Zoological Society of London (1989), the Royal Society's Michael Faraday Award (1990), the Nakayama Prize for Achievement in Human Science (1990), The International Cosmos Prize (1997) and the Kistler Prize (2001). He holds Honorary Doctorates in both literature and science.

The Wall Street Journal has said Dawkins’ "passion is supported by an awe-inspiring literary craftsmanship." The New York Times Book Review has hailed him as a writer who "understands the issues so clearly that he forces his reader to understand them too." And Prospect Magazine voted him among the top three public intellectuals in the world (along with Umberto Eco and Noam Chomsky).

Ticket Information

Tickets are required for entrance into Smith Hall Theatre. To register, please see www.randolphcollege.edu/tickets

For more information on the event, please see www.randolphcollege.edu.

Ticket requests will be filled in the order that they are received. You will receive a ticket confirmation email with additional information if your request can be filled.

Seating will begin at 6:45 p.m.

Directions to Randolph College are available at http://www.randolphcollege.edu/x55.xml

Randolph College Increases U.S. News ranking

2011-09-14T12:18:00.003-04:00

LYNCHBURG – Randolph College once again moved up in the rankings of one of the nation’s most recognizable college guidebooks. Randolph was ranked 112th for national liberal arts colleges in the 2012 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges.

This is the second consecutive year the College has improved its ranking, and is the latest in a growing number of accomplishments for Randolph College. In addition to yet another year of increased enrollment, the College is undergoing one of the largest renovations in decades—a $6 million renovation of its Student Center. That project was completely funded by five alumnae and their families.

The College was also recognized recently by the Fiske Guide to College, The Princeton Review, Forbes, and Newsweek.

The 2012 rankings of the U.S. News & World Report include data on more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools, comparing them by a set of 16 indicators of excellence including peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, and alumni giving, graduation rate performance, and high school counselor ratings.

View the rankings at www.usnews.com.

Fred Chappell next in Visiting Writer Series lineup

2011-09-12T13:49:00.002-04:00

How often do you get to hear an internationally acclaimed writerread his work the way he meant it to be read? Randolph College will providethat opportunity Wednesday in a free reading for the campus community and thegeneral public.

Fred Chappell, former poet laureate of North Carolina, isone of six professional authors joining Randolph College’s Visiting WriterSeries. This series helps students learn directly from writers who are expertsin their craft.

At 8 p.m. Wednesday, Chappell will read some of his fiction workin the Alice Ashley Jack Room in the College’s Smith Memorial Hall.

“The opportunity to hear a master writer read from his workis a great treat,” said Jim Peterson, a Randolph English professor who coordinatesthe Visiting Writer Series. “It’s a great experience for students.”

Chappell has composed 15 books of poetry,eight novels, and several volumes of short stories and criticism. He haswon numerous state, national, and international awards for his writing. In2004, he retired from the University of North Carolina Greensboro after 40years as an English professor.

Read more about Chappell here.

Chappell and Peterson have been acquaintances for severalyears, but this is the first time Chappell has come to speak at the College.

The Visiting Writer Series brings six authors to campus eachyear to read their work. Some also teach month-long courses on their areas ofexpertise.

In November, Suzanne Strempek Shea, a novelist and memoirist,will teach a class on creative writing. She will hold a public reading on November2. Joshua Poteat, a poet, will hold a reading on November 13, and will visitcreative writing classes, too.

The spring Visiting Writer Series is still being formed,Peterson said.

Lynchburg residents hear results of economics students' research

2011-09-09T16:34:00.001-04:00

Safiyah Lopez '12, center, explains the results of a study she conducted regarding resident satisfaction in Lynchburg's Tinbridge Hill neighborhood.

Like many college seniors, Safiyah Lopez ’12 sat for theGraduate Readiness Exam on Friday.

But first, she sat down with Lynchburg residents who wantedto hear the results of her economic studies of their neighborhood and itseconomic progress.

Her presentation focused specifically on a neighborhoodsatisfaction survey that she and Shradha Shrestha ’12 administered this summer,but it represented the culmination of years of research and study by RandolphCollege economics students and Elizabeth Perry-Sizemore, an economics professor.

Over the years, Perry-Sizemore and her students have studiedthe economy of the Tinbridge Hill community as the nonprofit LynchburgNeighborhood Development Foundation (LNDF ) has restored condemned, vacanthomes there. Last year, those studies led Lopez to an internship at LNDF.

The studies have shown that LNDF’s restoration andrenovation projects helped boost the values of the neighboring homes in thearea.

This summer, Lopez and Shrestha participated in the College’sSummer Research Program to continue the research. They conducted an extensivesurvey to gauge the satisfaction or dissatisfaction of people in the TinbridgeHill neighborhood and identify areas that people still need improvement.

The survey results showed general satisfaction with the community.In particular, they showed that many people in the neighborhood feel crime isnot a current problem.

Aubrey Barbour, a community leader, said the survey providesa real benefit to Tinbridge Hill residents. It shows what progress has beenmade through neighborhood revitalization efforts, and it could encourage futureimprovements as more homes become owner occupied, he said.

“We have a lot of people now that are beginning to takeownership in the neighborhood. That means a lot,” he said. “For them to tryownership in the neighborhood affirms that something’s working. This surveyshould entice more people to come into the area to live.”

Perry-Sizemore said she plans to continue helping herstudents understand real life economics by studying Tinbridge Hill. Eventually,she wants to go through the community satisfaction survey again to measureprogress.

Also, city leaders have asked for help conducting similarsurveys in other neighborhoods near downtown Lynchburg.

This project is one example of the way Randolph Collegestudents get the opportunity to work on real life projects addressing real lifeproblems. Read a recent Randolph magazine article about the project here.

2011-09-08T17:17:00.001-04:00

The weather was beautiful at Randolph College today, with the temperature remaining in the 70s for much of the afternoon.

Dara Niketic '15, Trey Padgett '15, and Rachel Dunwell '15 enjoy the shade and the sunshine outside the dining hall.

Faculty members Danielle Currier, a sociology professor, and Summer Henderson '07, a philosophy professor, enjoy a chat outside after lunch.

How did you enjoy the weather?

Randolph Remembers 9/11 Victims

2011-09-07T08:41:00.001-04:00

Randolph College will mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks with a special remembrance ceremony. On Sunday, September 11, the Randolph community will come together to honor those who died during the tragic attacks in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.

At 8:46 a.m., the Conway Bell will ring three times in honor of the victims of Flight 11 and the World Trade Center 1. Community members will be asked to pause for a moment of silence after the bell tolls. At the conclusion of the moment of silence, Randolph community members will then read the names of each of the victims of the 9/11 attacks. During the reading of the names, the bell will again toll three times—at 9:02 a.m. to honor the victims of Flight 175 and the World Trade Center 2, at 9:37 a.m. in honor of the victims of Flight 77 and the Pentagon, and at 10:03 in honor of the victims of Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.

Organizers estimate it will take the Randolph community three hours to read the more than 3,000 names. Volunteers are being asked to sign up to read in 5-minute intervals. To participate, sign up at the Reception and Information Desk in Main Hall before Friday.

“September 11 will continue to be an important day in the history of our nation,” wrote Randolph President John E. Klein in an e-mail to the community this week. “It is fitting that the College community remember those who lost their lives that day. No matter where you are, or what you are doing, I hope each of us will take time to reflect on the significance of those events to our country.”

News story profiles Randolph College professor

2011-09-06T13:54:00.002-04:00

When an earthquake struck Virginia last month, Lynchburg-area news outlets immediately called on Tatiana Gilstrap.

As a Randolph College physics and geology professor, Gilstrap is Central Virginia’s resident earthquake expert. She interpreted data from the College’s seismograph located at the Randolph College Riding Center.

Today, The News & Advance in Lynchburg published a profile of Gilstrap, detailing how she left post-communist Bulgaria in search of greater opportunities for scientific advancement. That quest eventually led her to Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in 2005, where she began teaching after graduate school at Georgia Tech.

Both before and after the transition to coeducation, Gilstrap found the College to be a great place for her to live and practice science. Here is one clip from the article:

“The campus is just gorgeous,” she said. “The one thing that I really liked was the community.”

Especially, she said, the high percentage of international students, and the mentality of the campus population.

“It turned out to be exactly what I expected. Very open-minded people, and very forward-thinking. I really was hoping that would be the case.”

Read the full story here.

New Teaching and Learning Center combines three academic support programs

2011-09-05T16:11:00.007-04:00

Three critical academic support programs at Randolph College now share a home in the Lipscomb Library.

Over the summer, the Learning Resources Center (LRC), the Writing Lab, and the Tutoring program moved into a prominent remodeled location on the main floor of the library. The 1,800 square-foot Teaching and Learning Center provides one place where students can go for help with a learning disability, tutoring for a tough class, or guidance in crafting an essay.

“Before, we had separate facilities. Now we have one-stop shopping,” said Tina Barnes, director of the LRC. “We wanted it to be a center for teaching and learning.”

The LRC provides support for students with any kind of disability—any condition ranging from dyslexia to a broken bone—to help them participate and succeed at the College. Barnes also coordinates the Learning Strategies Program, in which students receive help learning college success skills and habits to improve their studying and test taking.

This space on the fourth floor of Lipscomb Library was remodeled to create the Teaching and Learning Center.

BEFORE

AFTER

The tutoring program, directed by M.C. Johnson ‘76, pairs students who need assistance in a specific course with students who have excelled in that subject before. Last year, more than 160 students used

The Writing Lab is staffed with peer tutors who help other students with any phase of the writing process. Bunny Goodjohn, an English professor, oversees the writing program.

Johnson said the new arrangement should help make the academic services more accessible to students.

The staff of the new Teaching and Learning Center will host an open house on September 22 to help students become more acquainted with the facility and its services. Watch for later announcements to get details.

ODAC honors 40 WildCat student-athletes for academic achievement

2011-09-05T09:52:00.003-04:00

The Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) has named 40 Randolph College student-athletes to the ODAC All-Academic Team for 2010–2011, honoring them for outstanding academic achievements.

ODAC announced its All-Academic Team roster on Friday.

Student-athletes are eligible for the team when they compete in an ODAC-sponsored sport and achieve at least a 3.25 grade point average for the year.

At Randolph College, student-athletes balance a rigorous sports schedule with a demanding liberal arts curriculum. They excel athletically and academically due to their determination and talent, and help from motivational coaches and dedicated faculty.

Sometimes, student-athletes actually perform their best academically while in-season, when they have to keep up with sports practice and schedule. An article in the latest edition of Randolph Magazine explains how athletic competition keeps students on top of the game in the classroom and in life, too. Read the article here.

Please join us in congratulating these WildCat athletes who earned a spot on the 2010–2011 ODAC All-Academic Team:

Connor Adams, Men’s Lacrosse

Steven Blackwell, Men’s Lacrosse

Eileen Buckingham, Equestrian

Jane Campbell, Women’s Cross Country

Cameron Colquitt, Men’s Basketball

David Conrow, Men’s Basketball

Lauren French, Women’s Basketball

John Grundy, Men’s Lacrosse

Alina Herron, Women’s Cross Country

Colton Hunt, Men’s Basketball

Amy Jacobs, Equestrian

Julianna Joyce, Women’s Soccer

Jonghui Kim, Women’s Tennis

Lydia Kirchner, Equestrian

Yong Jun Kwon, Men’s Cross Country

Kalyne Lynch, Women’s Tennis, Volleyball

Zachary MacDougall, Men’s Soccer

Alexis Mandarakas, Equestrian

Lorna McFarlane, Women’s Tennis

Samuel McGarrity, Men’s Soccer

Teague Nelson, Men’s Tennis

Andrew Nye, Men’s Soccer

William Pearson, Men’s Basketball

Ryan Purrington, Men’s Cross Country

Cameron Shepherd, Men’s Basketball

Timothy Songer, Men’s Soccer

Lauren Stevenson, Softball

Julia Stika, Equestrian

TJ Story, Men’s Lacrosse

Eric Struble, Men’s Soccer

Morgan Thompson, Women’s Basketball/Women’s Lacrosse/Volleyball

Eric van Staalduinen, Men’s Soccer

John Vecchietti, Men’s Soccer

Brittney Via, Softball

Jerry Wells, Men’s Cross Country

Megan Wheatley, Volleyball

Brittany Willingham, Softball

Reid Winkler, Men’s Tennis

Colton Wood, Men’s Lacrosse

Derrick Woods-Morrow, Men’s Basketball

Lynchburg dubbed "Runner Friendly"

2011-09-01T15:46:00.011-04:00

Carl Coffey ’11 runs along the Blackwater Creek Trail in Lynchburg. The trail is one place that Cross Country Coach Catherine Phillips recommends for running.

Looking for a place to run? You should check out the City of Lynchburg and Randolph College.

The Road Runner’s Club of America has named Lynchburg a “Runner Friendly Community,” confirming what Randolph College runners already knew.

Not only is Lynchburg a great place to run, but the College is situated near some of the city’s best running paths, on road or on trail.
Catherine Phillips, head coach of Randolph’s Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams, named several popular, safe running spots near the College. Here’s a map:

With its wide sidewalks, Rivermont Avenue is a popular running spot from early in the morning until late at night, Phillips said. Riverside Runners, a sports footwear and apparel store near the College, provides a water cooler where runners can refresh themselves.

The Blackwater Creek Bikeway and its associated trails are also good, safe places to run during the day, Phillips said. “You always see other runners, cyclists, walkers, at any time of day, and everyone is friendly and encouraging of others,” she said.

The Blackwater Creek Trail is good for biking, too. Wanda WildCat enjoys a leisurely ride down the trail when she is not training for a run.

After dark, when the bikeway and trails close, Phillips said runners in the area should stick to Rivermont Avenue, Peakland Place or Langhorne Road because they are well lit at night and have sidewalks, she said.

These areas are especially busy in the mornings now—sometimes as early as 5:30 a.m.—as people prepare for Lynchburg’s premiere race, the Virginia 10 Miler, which takes place September 24. Phillips said the cross country teams usually participate in the race, but this year they will be away competing in the Roanoke College Invitational meet. However, several faculty and staff members usually run the race, she said.

While we’re talking about running, check out this article about people who have run every day for 40 years. Now that is dedication.

What Did You Do This Summer? Songshine Received Invitation to Perform from Nikki Giovanni

2011-09-01T08:43:00.003-04:00

Randolph College’s female a cappella group, Songshine, did more than relax over the summer. Members of the group were invited to perform at James Madison University on June 24. The invitation was issued by Nikki Giovanni, the internationally known poet, who heard Songshine during her visit to Randolph College during the spring.

The group performed at a poetry reading by poet and social justice activist Sonia Sanchez. The reading on June 24 was part of a weeklong seminar on African American poetry at JMU.

Songshine, founded in 1972, has a long history at the College. Auditions for the group will be held this fall.

Festive spirit, optimism mark new school year at opening convocation

2011-08-31T15:53:00.003-04:00

Randolph College rang in the new academic year with opening convocation on Tuesday. The event brought together time-honored traditions and bright optimism about the College's future.

Led by a bagpiper, the Class of 2012 marched into the Smith Hall Theatre wearing their graduation robes that were, true to tradition, decorated with playful buttons and topped with funny hats. Along with the College's underclassmen, they then cheered as the faculty entered the auditorium.

Ja’el Daniely ’12, president of Student Government, addressed her fellow students and encouraged them to maintain optimism as they explore their identities and pursue higher education. “One thing we share as a school is honoring our past while looking forward to a bright future,” she said.

Randolph College President John Klein then addressed the student body, emphasizing their ability to meet new challenges and achieve goals. “It is unlikely that you will ever have four years again like the ones you spend here,” he said. “This is your chance to make the most of them.”

Klein emphasized the many positives the College is experiencing now: enrollment and alumnae giving have increased, and the faculty continue to earn high marks from students and academic honors from organizations outside the College. He highlighted the recent achievements of faculty members and presented awards to students and faculty.

These banners were presented to representatives of each class to mark a new tradition at Randolph College.

The ceremony also included the beginning of a new Randolph College tradition. Representatives of each class year received a class banner embroidered with the college seal and the name of the class. The banners will be displayed at events throughout the year to emphasize the participation of each class and foster class unity. Each year, seniors will sign their class banners and leave them as a symbol of their time at the College.

For more details about convocation and a list of awards given, see this Randolph College press release.

Student Center Renovation Update: Aug. 31

2011-08-31T14:28:00.010-04:00

Work on the Student Center has gone underground--literally. As demolition crews finish clearing out debris, construction crews are digging under the floor of the Student Center to pour footings. This tedious and hard work will continue for several weeks.
The last of the staircases in the facility are just about gone, there is little left of floors, and most walls no longer exist. What is left is now a space with an amazing amount of room. Once the footings are poured, construction can begin. Demolition occurred from the top down. Construction will be conducted from the bottom to the top.

View of what used to be Main Grounds and the entrance into the Student Center from Main Hall. Construction crews are digging under the floors to pour footings.

View of the Student Center looking toward what used to be the staircase and upper floors. Notice the light created by opening the back area.

View from inside the main area of the Student Center looking out. The open space is where the organ and pipes used to be located.