RAO HERE TO STAY:
Board of Visitors grants contract extension, salary increase
JACK GLAGOLA
News Editor
HARSHINI KANALA
Contributing
Writer
The Board of Visitors met on Sept. 12 and 13 in James Branch Cabell Library, following last week’s orientation in Scott House.
The Board voted in favor of several items at the meeting, such as the new Grace Street residence hall, President Michael Rao’s contract extension and raise, a land acknowledgment in collaboration with the Chickahominy Tribe and searches for new deans at the medical school.
Fotis Sotiropoulos, the provost, also presented the findings of the academicrepositioning initiative undertaken in the past year at the meeting. The findings were released in April. Changes include:
• The Department of Focused Inquiry will move from University College to the College of Humanities and Sciences, which will be further reorganized.
• VCU Life Sciences and the Department of Biology will move to a new school within the CHS.
• University College, Interdisciplinary Studies and transformational learning experiences, such as research and servicelearning, will compose a new college.
• VCU’s Institute for Inclusion, Inquiry and Innovation will be expanded to promote more diverse faculty recruitment and community relationships.
• Undergraduates will have more opportunities to pursue advanced degrees at MCV with the goal of diversifying the healthcare workforce.
I can’t do what you described either without a group of governors, a group of board members who are not supportive.”
Michael Rao, VCU president
Michael Rao, entering his 15th year as president of the university, had his contract unanimously extended by the Board of Visitors from 2026 to 2030. He also received a 16% raise, bringing his base pay to roughly $821,000, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Rao thanked the Board for the extension following the vote.
“I can’t do what you described either without a group of governors, a group of board members who are not supportive,” Rao said.
Todd Haymore, head of the Board of Visitors, said in an interview after the meeting that it was important to recognize the “outstanding” work Rao has done to elevate VCU’s profile during his tenure.
“We also wanted to provide a lot more long-term stability in recognition of his good work — that’s why we attached four additional years onto his contract,” Haymore said.
The Board also tries to pay the president at least within the 50th percentile among the 18 other universities in VCU’s “peer group,” Haymore said.
“This is a major, national, public research university — it’s a $2 billion-plus operation,” Haymore said. “We want to make sure that our president, our leader, is compensated fairly for the good work that he or she is doing.”
Rao may also take a one-year sabbatical at any time during his tenure, and relinquishes his title of president of VCU Health System, a measure their Board of Directors passed last year.
The latter recommendation was made after VCU pulled out of a deal for a new development on Clay Street in 2023, which drew extensive criticism from watchdogs and former Governor Douglas Wilder, a VCU professor at his namesake school.
The new contract also increased his housing allowance by $100,000 anually. He does not have a university-provided house, unlike many other university presidents.
Rao is the fourth-highest-paid university president in Virginia, behind the presidents of University of Virginia, George Mason University and the College of William & Mary.
The entire board and several student advocates attended the meeting. After a policy change restricting posters larger than a printer paper at board meetings, students held up letters spelling: “You can’t silence us.”
Sereen Haddad, a third-year psychology student who is also Palestinian, called on the Board to “disclose and divest” funds from the university’s endowment that go to companies providing aid for Israel amid its destructive campaign in Gaza, where her extended family resides.
Haddad also called on the Board to take responsibility for the police response to the encampment erected this past April when 13 arrests were made.
Haddad said her advocacy is not just political rhetoric, but personal to her as her family is directly affected by displacement and bombing.
Students hold up papers reading ‘You can’t silence us.’ Several student activists asked the Board to acknowledge their demands to divest from Israel and take responsibility for the police response to the encampment last April. Photo by Kieran Stevens.
President Rao. Photo by Kieran Stevens.
Stories of the week
national: An apparent Donald Trump assassination attempt occurred at his golf course in Florida on Sept. 15. international: Pagers exploded across Lebanon on Sept. 17, killing at least nine and wounding thousands.
Richmond citizens to choose how $3 million is spent in new initiative
MAX WALPOLE
Contributing Writer
ABDULLAH KARABATEK
Contributing
Writer
The city launched its People’s Budget program on Sept. 10 at Abner Clay Park which encourages residents of Richmond to submit ideas for new buildings, beautification projects and infrastructure to improve their community, according to its website.
It has an overall budget of $3 million, split among the city’s 15 districts, according to its website.
People interested in submitting proposals to the Richmond People’s Budget can do so through its website, according to Matthew Slaats, Richmond senior civic innovation manager who worked with the People’s Budget steering commission.
Alternatively, citizens can write their proposals on idea cards located in all Richmond libraries, according to Slaats. People should also write their information on the back and put the card in the library’s collection box.
After a three month period of idea collection, the submitted ideas become project proposals, according to Slaats. Citizens then have two weeks to vote on which project they want to succeed. Following the end of the voting period, the
The winning projects will proceed to the implementation stage and receive the necessary funding to be completed. Slaats said the steering commission is aware it’s already the city’s responsibility to attend to infrastructure issues.
“We want to see some more creative projects,” Slaats said. “Like, how do we make our neighborhood better? Maybe it’s a beautification project, maybe it’s a mural that tells about the history of the neighborhood.”
The People’s Budget was influenced by a similar ongoing community improvement project in Durham, North Carolina, according to Slaats.
“It comes back to things that people want to see happen,” Slaats said. “People who live in these neighborhoods know what they need and what they want, so how do we be more responsive to that is a really big piece of all of this?”
One of the main goals is community outreach — which extends not only to Richmond residents, but VCU students or commuters from Henrico and Chesterfield, according to Slaats.
“In the end, those decisions are going to be made by residents who live in the city, but we want to see the VCU students play a vital role in this,” Slaats said.
“They have a stake in what the future of Richmond looks like.”
The speakers welcomed the crowd’s questions about the initiative.
Afterward, several attendees wrote down their own proposals to improve the community on idea cards provided by the steering commission.
First District City Councilman Andreas Addison also spoke at the event. He echoed Slaats’ sentiments concerning community outreach.
“Richmond People’s Budget as a whole is meant to be solely voted on by the neighborhood, by the residents,” Addison said.
He wants the people who live in the city to be the ones making decisions about utilizing government funding, Addison said.
Addison said that he thought the city should make the People’s Budget a regular practice.
“This should be how we improve neighborhoods across the city,” Addison said.
Addison said he hopes the People’s Budget will be a blueprint for how a community can voice their needs and collaborate on solutions for allocating funds and resources.
“I would love to see a community driven approach to improving all parts of
Other members of the community in attendance were less receptive.
Leslie Brown, who has lived in Manchester since 2014, said based on her past experience in working in budgeting, the People’s Budget was more valuable as an educational aid than an urban improvement project.
“I think it has a potential for being tremendous in terms of actually educating people about the budget process, and I think it has the potential for bringing some deeply felt projects to the forefront, things that people are really passionate about,” Brown said. “But I value more the education piece than the actual project piece because one percent is not a lot of money.”
Brown said she was skeptical about how much involvement citizens would actually have in the decision making process.
“I’m going to have to see a lot more evidence that this isn’t just fancy dressing, and the city has to decide what it’s going to do anyway,” Brown said.
Brown said she thought the launch event being scheduled for the middle of the day indicated it was not meant to engage with the community, but to generate publicity.
“But, I get it,” Brown said. “Photo ops make a difference, photo ops get in the newspaper. You’ve got to do something
by
Through the People’s Budget, Richmond residents will now be able to submit ideas for new city projects. Photo by Max Walpole.
Photo
Tangie Bodden.
New visitor center
comes to Richmond
ANNABEL GRANGER
Contributing Writer
The Valentine Museum collaborated with Richmond Region Tourism in opening a brand new visitor center this past summer.
The visitor center is located in the lobby of the museum on 1015 E. Clay St. and is just one of the many attractions the Valentine has to offer, such as history tours, exhibitions and lectures on a variety of topics Richmond-related.
Booklets and brochures on activities and attractions in Richmond and the surrounding area are displayed in the visitor center, alongside books and trinkets created by local businesses.
Bill Martin, director of the Valentine
Museum, said the partnership with Richmond Region Tourism was a “spontaneous combustion,” as both entities were looking for a “first stop for tours.”
“There was no place to start the experience for visitors,” Martin said.
This prompted him to collaborate with the Richmond Region Tourism company to create a new visitor center, which will be the starting point for their guided history tours, according to Martin.
Although Richmond Region Tourism has two other visitor centers in the area, the Valentine offers a different experience for tourists who are interested in Richmond’s history.
The museum is located near historical sites such as the Virginia State Capitol,
John Marshall’s house and other houses that date back to the 18th century, according to Martin.
“This is where history happened,” Martin said.
Martin said other visitor centers for tourists exist at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Richmond airport, but they are “unknown of and hidden,” making it difficult for out-of-towners to find them.
The Valentine is the best museum for tourists because the experience provided by the staff is unmatched and it is easily accessible to the public, according to Martin.
“The workers are very knowledgeable on the history of Richmond and answer a variety of questions,” Martin said.
Robinette, vice president of visitor experience at Richmond Region Tourism, said most people are interested in at least one aspect of a destination, which in Richmond’s case is history.
“We felt like that was a good place to engage people who are already in the mindset of wanting experiences and to explore,” Robinette said.
The Valentine Museum “provides a shared place for our diverse community and those who visit Richmond to pursue understanding and truth together by creating opportunities for honest conversations that are both challenging and enjoyable,” the museum’s website states.
“There is something for everyone in Richmond,” Robinette said.
Matthew
Richmond Region Tourism and the Valentine Museum unveiled a new visitor center in the museum this summer. Photo by Kyle Lesko.
Stat of the week
VCU Rams fourth-year midfielder Kanna Matsuhisa scored two out of three goals in their 3-0 shutout vs. the University of North Carolina Wilmington Seahawks on Thursday, Sept. 12, according to VCU Athletics.
BRANDON JENNINGS:
On and off the court
BERSABEH KEMAW Staff Writer
Richmond native Brandon Jennings is a firstyear point guard whose journey to playing at a Division I school started at a young age, according to Jennings.
“Growing up, I’ve always had the basketball in my hand,” Jennings said.
His father incorporated a routine for him and his brother when they were young that revolved around basketball, according to Jennings.
“My dad always pushed me,” Jennings said. “He would come pick us up, he would have our little lunch box and we’ll eat that on the way to the gym.”
Jennings also said he had his brothers around him who played basketball as well.
He not only watched his older brother play basketball, but played basketball with his middle brother, which furthered his interest in basketball, Jennings said.
“We pushed each other,” Jennings said. “It just helped us fall in love with the game and I just took on with it.”
Though Jennings chose the path of hoops, he also played other sports throughout his childhood, according to Jennings.
“I played football, track, baseball and soccer,” Jennings said. “I was just a little better at basketball than my other sports so I had a little more fun playing out there and doing what I did.”
During Jennings’ sophomore year of high
school, he transferred to St. Christopher’s School in Richmond where he had to adjust to the atmosphere of his new school, Jennings said.
“It was different for me, a new environment and new people,” Jennings said. “But high school basketball was fun.”
Jennings finished his last season there averaging 20.3 points, seven rebounds and four assists while scoring in double figures every game, according to St. Christopher’s.
really important to him throughout his basketball journey.
“Wherever I played, it’s definitely been brotherhood,” Jennings said. “It’s really amazing to have that behind you and know people are pushing with you and striving to reach the same goals as you.”
He’s got good size, good athleticism, very high IQ when he plays the game. He’s very unselfish and he does a lot of things on the court. He’s somebody that really does whatever his team needs to win.”
Ryan Odom VCU head coach
In addition to playing at St. Christopher’s, Jennings also played in the Amateur Athletic Union for Team Loaded, according to Jennings.
He played with Team Loaded in third and fourth grade and later returned after his ninth grade year, according to Jennings.
Jennings said that community was
Jennings said he’s been able to take a lot from all the experiences he’s gained, which all play a role in where he’s at now.
“All those championship games, those environments, you know you’ve been there,” Jennings said. “It just might be at a bigger scale now. So just being able to stay level-headed and just be on the court.”
As a three-star player going into the recruitment process, he settled on VCU for many reasons — the biggest one being its coaching staff, Jennings said.
“We all connected from the jump, and they’ve been following me,” Jennings said. “They’ve followed me through Team Loaded, and they got to see my playing styles. They seen everything I can provide and really voiced it to me and created that connection with me.”
Jennings has many skills as a player that makes him multidimensional, according to VCU head coach Ryan Odom.
“He’s got good size, good athleticism, very high IQ when he plays the game,” Odom said. “He’s very unselfish and he does a lot of things on the court. He’s somebody that really does whatever his team needs to win.”
VCU had an entirely new coaching staff in April 2023 but Jennings was someone that was on their radar pretty quickly, according to Odom.
“We were able to watch him play over the course of the summer and then early in the fall,” Odom said. “We then offered him a scholarship. It was evident that he was a good fit for our style and for VCU.”
Not only is Jennings a good athlete, but he’s also a good person off the court, Odom said.
“He’s a great guy,” Odom said. “He comes in ready to work, has fun as well and laughs.”
Fellow VCU first-year guard Terrence Hill Jr. echoed Odom’s sentiments.
“He’s smart, he’s funny, he’s kind of quiet when you first meet him,” Hill said. “But once you get to know him, he starts to open up, he’s a cool guy.”
VCU first-year guard Brandon Jennings joins the Rams for the 2024 season. Photo by Hassan Lowery.
The CT Sports’ staff give their NFL predictions
ANDREW MCGHAN
Contributing Writer
SUPER BOWL CONTENDERS:
The Kansas City Chiefs will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl because of its addition of new offensive playmakers in the offseason and their experience in playoffs. Last season, the Chiefs were ranked No. 15 best offense and No. 2 best defense in the league, which aided them in winning the Super Bowl, according to Pro-FootballReference.
The Detroit Lions will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl due to their improving young star players who now have playoff experience from last year. The Lions made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game last year but lost to the San Francisco 49ers. I think their loss will motivate the team to make it back to the NFC Championship, proving their playoff run last year was not a fluke. With emerging star players like wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, tight end Sam LaPorta and running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and veteran quarterback Jared Goff, the Lions can make it to the Super Bowl.
MVP:
The Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will win MVP this season because of his successful history, like winning back-toback Super Bowls.
TEAM TO LOOK OUT FOR:
The Houston Texans is my team to look out for this NFL season. The team is led by quarterback C.J. Stroud who won Offensive Rookie of the Year last season. In the offseason, they added wide receiver Stefon Diggs and running back Joe Mixon to their already talented offense, potentially helping make them contenders for the Super Bowl.
ETHAN YORK Contributing Writer
SUPER BOWL CONTENDERS:
I believe the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans are going to the Super Bowl because they have offensive weapons setting them up for success.
The 49ers are still an offensive powerhouse with the likes of wide receiver Deebo Samuel, tight end George Kittle and, of course, running back Christian McCaffrey. Their defense is also still elite with leaders like lineman Nick Bosa, who led the 49ers in sacks during the last regular season, according to FOX Sports. Fred Warner, a powerful linebacker, was ranked No. 11 in players as well, according to the NFL’s Top 100 list.
I am confident the Texans can take the AFC for various reasons. They already had an impressive offense last season, and have added even more talent this offseason. They now have more experienced players, like wide receiver Stefon Diggs and running back Joe Mixon preparing them for a great season ahead, according to ESPN.
MVP:
I think the MVP candidate for this season will be Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Allen has helped lead the Bills to a 2-0 start this season, beating both the Cardinals and Dolphins.
TEAM TO LOOK OUT FOR:
The Seattle Seahawks are my team to look out for. The Seahawks are led by quarterback Geno Smith and still have wide receivers DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and running back Kenneth Walker III as their offensive weapons.
MALACHI KEYS Contributing Writer
SUPER BOWL CONTENDERS:
The Kansas City Chiefs will represent the AFC in Super Bowl 59. Kansas City on paper looks to have fixed its weak areas with the addition of wide receiver Xavier Worthy. The rookie can break free of opponents’ secondary, which the Chiefs have been missing since wide receiver Tyreek Hill’s departure to Miami. Third-year corner Trent McDuffie will pick up where cornerback L’Jarius Sneed left off, and their pass rush will be consistent with Chris Jones.
The Detroit Lions will come out of the NFC and win it all. With the Lions’ embarrassment of riches in the weapons department and undisputed best offensive line in the league, quarterback Jared Goff should be able to lead this franchise to its first NFL championship. Detroit fixed their secondary problem with the acquisition of corner Carlton Davis III and by moving Brian Branch back to strong safety.
MVP:
My MVP of this season is quarterback C.J. Stroud. After the acquisitions of running back Joe Mixon, who can catch out of the backfield, and wide receiver Stefon Diggs, I expect Stroud to build on his record-setting rookie year.
TEAM TO LOOK OUT FOR:
The Steelers may have the biggest boom or bust potential this year. This is essentially the same Pittsburgh team that won 10 games with incompetent quarterback play. The roster needs competent quarterback production to reach the next level, and if quarterbacks Justin Fields or Russell Wilson can provide it, the ceiling for the Steelers could be as many as 12 or 13 wins.
HAYDEN BRAUN Contributing Writer
SUPER BOWL CONTENDERS:
S uper Bowl LIX may be a rematch of Super Bowl LVII: The Kansas City Chiefs versus the Philadelphia Eagles. Last season the Chiefs struggled at wideout. Secondyear receiver Rashee Rice remains, and the Chiefs drafted wide receiver Xavier Worthy who set the 40-yard dash record at 4.21 seconds, according to ESPN. On defense, the Chiefs extended Chris Jones.
After a strong 10-1 start, the Philadelphia Eagles collapsed to a 1-5 finish and an early playoff exit, largely due to quarterback Jalen Hurts’ turnover issues and a struggling secondary last year. Hurts had 15 interceptions, while the defense was among the worst in the league. To address these issues, the Eagles drafted defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. They made heads turn by adding running back Saquon Barkley on a threeyear deal.
MVP:
Q uarterback Lamar Jackson stands out for MVP. The Ravens lost defensive stars and former defensive coordinator Mike McDonald, who left to coach the Seahawks. These losses put more pressure on Jackson to carry the team and I believe he will be able to do so because of his speed and ability to make plays through the air.
TEAM TO LOOK OUT FOR:
A team to watch this season are the Seattle Seahawks. After a disappointing 9-8 season and missing the playoffs, the Seahawks parted ways with head coach Pete Carroll. They hired former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike McDonald, whose 2023 Ravens defense was ranked among the best in the league.
Illustration by Victor Romanko.
VCU women’s soccer won their first game of the season against the University of North Carolina Wilmington Seahawks, 3-0, on Sept. 12.
VCU played aggressively on offense and maintained strong defense, relentlessly pressuring UNC and never giving them a moment to breathe.
Though VCU was never able to score in the first half, they put plenty of shots up.
Both teams exchanged shots on goal and penalties alike. VCU outshot UNC six to four, and UNC had five fouls to VCU’s three.
The score was tied at 0-0 going into halftime. Fourth-year midfielder Kanna Matsuhisa had two out of the team’s six total shots during the first half.
VCU head coach Lindsey Martin said she thought the Rams were nervous throughout the first half.
“It just feels like in the first half, there was still just some nervousness, some anxiety, some reluctance to really just play the way we’re capable of playing,” Martin said.
VCU entered the second half appearing completely in sync, a vast difference to their first-half performance.
“I think the second half we made some tactical adjustments, but most importantly, we just talked about going after it and getting stuck into tackles and going forward and taking players on, and that’s what our kids did,” Martin said.
VCU fifth-year forward Milica Bulatovic and third-year midfielder Y-Van Nguyen got into a head-on collision while both going for a header at the beginning of the second half. Both players walked to the sideline but ended up uninjured.
Bulatovic came back into the game and scored a header goal off of a free kick at the 64-minute mark, according to StatBroadcast.
This goal was assisted by fourthyear midfielder Greta Kraszula, and was Bulatovic’s first goal of the season, according to VCU Athletics.
“Despite the results before, we’ve been playing better and better. So obviously just
Rams clip the Seahawks’ wings, 3-0
HAYDEN BRAUN Contributing Writer
to be rewarded for that effort is amazing. We felt like we were all 100% on the field,” Bulatovic said. “I’m just so blessed to get a goal and just contribute to our team winning.”
Matsuhisa scored two goals and four shots, according to StatBroadcast. Her first goal of the night was from a penalty kick, and her second was off a break in the defense, leaving her to a one-on-one with UNC’s goalie.
“In the first half, we failed to score, but I remained determined to find the net myself. Sometimes, being selfish is necessary to make a strong impact,” Matsuhisa said.
Matsuhisa and Bulatovic’s goals were all scored within seven minutes.
VCU fourth-year goalkeeper Allison Karpovich had nine saves and allowed zero goals, according to StatBroadcast.
The UNCW Seahawks had a total of 14 shots on goal, not making a single one due to VCU’s defense and goalkeeping.
“We knew it was our time. We’ve been
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putting in so much work and so much time to get better. We just had to get it,” Karpovich said.
VCU head coach Lindsey Martin said she was happy for the team after their first win of the season.
“I’m just happy for our kids. We played well throughout the first six games leading up to today, but we hadn’t seen any favorable results,” Martin said.
The stadium that night was packed with fans screaming and cheering the black and gold on.
“We love being at home, especially on Thursday nights. There’s certainly a different vibe, a different atmosphere. You know, whenever we’re playing under the lights on a Thursday night, I think that’s when typically our kids play their best soccer,” Martin said.
VCU will face Davidson College on Thursday, Sept. 19 at Alumni Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m.
10% off for college students.*
VCU women’s soccer celebrates after a goal. Photo by Anthony Duong.
Alex Morgan unties her boots
JENNY ALLEN
Contributing Writer
U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team striker and phenom Alex Morgan has announced her retirement along with her second pregnancy, after 224 USWNT appearances, 123 goals, 53 assists and four World Cup showings.
Morgan played her last professional soccer match on Sept. 8 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California against the North Carolina Charge.
Morgan is a three-time Olympic player, two-time Women’s World Cup champion, two-time U.S. Soccer’s Female Athlete of the Year and three-time finalist for FIFA World Player of the Year.
Morgan’s fandom began in 2008 during the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Final versus Korea DRP when she helped lead the team to a championship by scoring the winning goal, according to US Soccer.
I believe one of the most captivating aspects of sports is the concept that fans have a favorite player that they support for a specific reason. In Alex Morgan’s case, the reason is more than her ability to play soccer.
As the fan base for the player increases, so does the unique connection between the fan and the player. Many fans see certain players as a role model or a source of inspiration.
Morgan made history in 2011 by becoming the youngest player at the time on the U.S. National Team for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, according to Britannica.
By the following year, she gained another title as the youngest U.S. player to score 20 goals in a single season,
continuing to show off her skill and age, according to The Coast News.
Morgan became the face of women’s sports and soccer in general, establishing her place as a star. Seeing such a young athlete quickly become a leader influenced many athletes, including myself, to never give up.
Personally, I always saw Morgan as one of the greatest female athletes, not only because of her top-tier performances, but more significantly, her off-the-field character.
She is a published author. Her book series, “The Kicks,” is about soccer and teamwork. Morgan prioritized these books as a middle-grade series that promotes friendships, respect and joy within sports.
Morgan and many other USWNT teammates sued the U.S. Soccer Federation in 2019 for gender discrimination. Morgan and her teammates fought for their equal rights when it came to working conditions and pay that were different from the men’s team, according to Britannica.
In 2022, a settlement was reached and the federation paid $24 million to USWNT players. The federation also agreed to pay both teams equal pay for all future tournaments and non-tournament games, according to Britannica.
Not only does this show Morgan’s love and passion for the game, but her morals. Watching Morgan fight inequalities for her and her teammates’ rights within men’s and women’s sports as I grew up inspired me.
One of Morgan’s most monumental career moments was during the 2012 London Olympics in the semi-finals versus Canada. In the 123rd minute, she scored the winning goal, continuing her journey as a player and a leader, according to US Soccer.
No matter the sport, one of the hardest parts is keeping your composure during a high-pressure situation. When an athlete can keep their composure, it proves their level of skill and leadership.
Morgan successfully proved this when she scored from the penalty spot in 2022, leading to a 1-0 victory over Canada, which helped Team USA earn a spot in the 2024 Olympic Games, according to US Soccer.
This iconic moment for Morgan only added to her preexisting showcased talent. She proved her skill level is not going away with age and made it clear she is an elite athlete.
I believe that knowing when the right time to take a step away is one of the most important moments of one’s career. After achieving many things and devoting majority of her life to soccer, she has shown a great sense of humility acknowledging that she has had her prime.
Many athletes often prolong their careers, however, Morgan has recognized her time is over and can now take this opportunity to focus on herself and her family.
Morgan’s ability to respectfully retire proves that her legacy will live beyond her on-the-field achievements.
SEPTEMBER 14
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL AT RUTGERS LOST 3-0
SEPTEMBER 15
SEPTEMBER 16
WOMEN’S FIELD HOCKEY AT WAKE FOREST LOST 4-0 MEN’S SOCCER VS NO. 3 PENNSYLVANIA WON 2-0
Illustration by Abigail Gleeson.
PRESS BOX
On this day
In
‘Visibility for the community’: Richmond’s annual Pride celebration
BRAXTON HARE Contributing Writer
The Bon Secours Training Center was transformed into “Virginia PrideFest 2024” on Sept. 14, where people could honor LGBTQ+ achievements, legal rights and queer pride.
Virginia Pride and OutRVA hosted the event which featured a lineup of local and national acts. Performances on the mainstage included Crystal Waters, Robin S, Tank and the Bangas, RuPaul’s Drag Race alums Mistress Isabelle Brooks and Kennedy Davenport, Mr., Miss. and Mx.VA Pride and DJ Lez Pop, according to the Virginia Pride website.
Virginia Pride was founded in 1975 by a group of loyal and active community members, with the goal of bringing community awareness and promoting diversity while enabling unity among the Richmond queer community, according to its website.
“Today, pride represents tremendous progress and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights — it represents visibility for a community that has historically lived in the shadows and on the margins of our society,” said James Millner, Virginia Pride’s program director.
Millner said he could not be more excited for this year’s ‘PrideFest’ after the rescheduling of last year’s event due to a tropical storm warning.
“We have had plenty of time to plan for it this year, you know, it was not something that we threw together in three weeks,” Millner said. “Our team did an amazing job of doing that last year, but this year we went full force from day one.”
Although he always enjoys watching the entertainment, Millner said his favorite
moments at “PrideFest” are “the sort of smaller ones.”
“It’s the interactions between young trans and queer folks — It’s observing people coming out to our event and being their true authentic selves without fear of being shamed or discriminated against — those are my favorite moments,” Millner said.
Those moments, however, would not exist without the help of numerous volunteers, Millner said.
“It takes up to a couple hundred volunteers overall to make sure the event runs smoothly,” Millner said. “We have a volunteer program as well to support different functions within the organization outside of ‘PrideFest’ too.”
The James River Transgender Society tabled the event, providing a variety of resources for all gender variants.
Danielle Johnson, member and advocate for the James River Transgender Society, said she came to ‘Virginia PrideFest 2024’ because it’s a place where people can drop all their reservations and concerns.
“It’s just a great place to come if you’re just coming out,” Johnson said. “It’s a great place to meet a lot of people and see different kinds of representation.”
JRTS hosts monthly support meetings every first Friday of the month at 7 p.m. at Diversity Thrift, according to its website. Everyone is welcome to attend.
“At the support group, we are able to talk about stuff like health insurance, name changes and makeup — all sorts of stuff,” Johnson said.
‘PrideFest 2024’ has allowed organizations like the JRTS to meet people who otherwise wouldn’t know of their existence, Johnson said.
“Especially being a support group for the
trans-community, not a lot of people know us,” Johnson said. “This just opens up a wide area of opportunity for us.”
Booths were occupied by local vendors offering a wide variety of products and services as well. Tables were piled high with items such as handmade jewelry and crocheted knick-knacks.
Amongst these merchants was Blake Bottoms, a queer watercolor artist.
Bottoms said Virginia Pride and ‘PrideFest’ have both been helpful for their business and sales.
“Right now, a huge thing for us is the exposure,” Bottoms said. “But I think there’s also a communitybuilding element that’s really been important to me.”
Bottoms’ art focuses mostly on trans and queer people and features bodies not traditionally seen in art, such as bigger, BIPOC or trans people, they said.
“My primary thing is sort of radical acceptance of self and a celebration of that, and so my hope is to spread that vibe generally,” Bottoms said.
Bottoms wants young queer entrepreneurs out there to “talk with people who have been doing it for a while, and listen to their advice because there are a lot of ins and outs of business owning.”
“Just keep at it, you’re punk, you got this,” Bottoms said.
2020, American lawyer Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was the second woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, died at age 87.
Attendees gather in the sunshine at ‘Virginia PrideFest 2024’ while performances take over the Allianz Youth Pride Pavilion. Photo by Cameron Powell.
Attendee poses at ‘Virginia PrideFest 2024.’
Drink and discover: Speaker series brings scholar to brewery
CAROLYN SLINGLUFF
MOLLY MANNING
Contributing Writers
Triple Crossing Beer in Fulton hosted the first Profs and Pints of the month in Richmond on Sept. 15.
The brewery welcomed Scott Paulson, a professor of physics and interdisciplinary liberal studies at James Madison University, to deliver his lecture, “The Physics of Baseball.” His lecture dug into the mechanisms behind some of the basic features of baseball, such as why a curveball curves, he said.
“I definitely enjoy the opportunity to try to connect science with things that people are interested in to maybe get them a little more interested, or at least understand a little bit better the role of science,” Paulson said.
Paulson is just one of many speakers who educate communities in venues all over the eastern United States through Profs and Pints.
Profs and Pints puts on multiple events each month, and topics range from civic issues to astronomy to birdcalling. Launched in Washington D.C., Profs and Pints has since expanded to Annapolis, Boston, Chicago, Dallas,
Detroit, Nashville, Philadelphia and Richmond, according to its website.
Peter Schmidt, CEO of Profs and Pints, worked in education journalism for nearly 30 years before starting the series in 2017, he said.
Schmidt said he created Profs and Pints, a social enterprise aimed at bringing about social change in academia, to help remedy the problems he had identified throughout his work in higher education.
“People aren’t going to college — or they’re having to leave school for financial reasons. Or, they’re studying what’s gonna pay off the student loans rather than what they’re passionate about,” Schmidt said. “A lot of departments were withering, so a lot of dissemination of knowledge in valuable areas was happening less.”
Profs and Pints is based on the ancient Greek model of higher education called symposium, where scholars would stimulate discussion on a subject over conversation, music and drinks, Schmidt said. Similarly, the events bring in scholars to speak to eager audiences at free venues, such as restaurants and cafes.
Attendee Lonnie Hamilton enjoyed the event, especially the
fact Paulson took the time to explain and introduce concepts, he said.
“I liked that it started with no assumption of any physics knowledge,” Hamilton said.
Attendee and Richmond local Joe Kaperick said he enjoyed the event. As a chemist and fan of baseball and beers, he said he liked being able to put some science behind it and talk about it.
Nancy Brizendine, another Richmond local in attendance, said Paulson’s lecture piqued her interest as the mother of a baseball pitcher at William & Mary. She enjoyed how the lecture went into detail, explaining some of the things she sees watching games from the stands.
Both Kaperick and Brizendine were first-time attendees who said they plan to come to future events hosted by Profs and Pints.
The next Profs and Pints event in Richmond will be held on Sept. 25 at 6:00 p.m. at Triple Crossing Beer in Fulton where Angie Hilliker, an associate professor of biology at the University of Richmond, will present “Hacks for Human Cells.”Advance tickets are $13.50 for this upcoming event and can be purchased at its website.
People aren’t going to college — or they’re having to leave school for financial reasons. Or, they’re studying what’s gonna pay off the student loans rather than what they’re passionate about. A lot of departments were withering, so a lot of dissemination of knowledge in valuable areas was happening less.”
Peter Schmidt, CEO of Profs and Pints
Scott Paulson, a professor of physics and interdisciplinary liberal studies at James Madison University, presents his lecture ‘The Physics of Baseball’ at Triple Crossing Beer in Fulton. Photo by Anthony Duong.
VCU humanities celebration encourages collaboration, thought
GHAILAH NYEANCHI
Contributing Writer
VCU’s Humanities Research Center is celebrating its 10th anniversary by introducing its first Humanities Week, held from Sept. 16-20, according to its website. The week includes lectures, panels and presentations related to humanities subjects.
“For the center to achieve university status and be central in many conversations about research, curriculum and community outreach is thrilling,” said Catherine Ingrassia, dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences at VCU.
It’s gratifying to see the impact the Humanities Research Center has on multiple fields and disciplines, Ingrassia said.
She established the Humanities Research Center because she wanted to create a place where humanities could have a voice, Ingrassia said. It does that by providing an intellectual environment where faculty can share ideas, work on publications and generate innovative research ideas.
“I hoped to harness that important energy in a way that would make it more visible within and beyond the university,” Ingrassia said. “I also wanted to help create a space — physical and intellectual — where scholars could work collaboratively and share their ideas.”
Ingrassia said she hopes that Humanities Week teaches students the humanities are
a foundational and fascinating part of the curriculum.
“Humanities work makes us understand ourselves and the world in which we live, it exposes us to thoughts and texts from people and moments that differ from us, and it helps us be better members of society,” Ingrassia said.
Paula Krebs, executive director of the Modern Language Association, said Ingrassia invited her to speak during Humanities Week.
Krebs said she was honored to speak about the importance of humanities for undergraduate students and what they can expect in the future. She was the keynote speaker for her lecture “Why Humanities? Why Now?” on Sept. 16 at Cabell Library.
“People seem to think that you need a degree in science or technology to be successful after graduation,” Krebs said. “If you talk to heads of science and technology companies, that is simply not the case.”
Krebs had the opportunity to talk to recruiters at a network engineering firm when she was a dean of humanities and social sciences at Bridgewater College, and many of their new graduates in entry-level positions weren’t engineering majors, Krebs said.
“I found out the same thing with healthcare,” Krebs said. “I had a bunch of healthcare executives talk to humanities faculty about the different
jobs that were in the industry, and very few of them involved a scalpel.”
Many humanities faculty were shocked to find out that humanities majors could step right into these positions in healthcare, according to Krebs. Students could get jobs in insurance, patient advocacy and more.
Humanities majors bring skills like research, curiosity and writing to jobs within science and technology, according to Krebs.
“A lot of the stuff that these companies are looking for are skills humanities majors have, but the job is not spelled out in terms of a humanities degree,” Krebs said.
Krebs encourages humanities majors who are interested in interdisciplinary fields to expand their horizons when they’re taking classes, she said.
“Build up a transcript that shows you’re a broad thinker,” Krebs said. “Take a class in epidemiology or in business.”
Public discourse about higher education often undervalues the importance of humanities in favor of science and technology, according to Krebs. However, important scientific issues can’t be discussed properly without a humanist context.
“If you’re talking about the environment — if you’re talking about healthcare, and you’re not bringing in the humanities — you’re ignoring the cultural effects of the issue you’re addressing,” Krebs said.
You can’t talk about climate change without factoring in cultural biases, Krebs said.
“You can spend all the money you want on an issue,” Krebs said. “If you don’t bring in humanities for a cultural perspective, you won’t change public opinion.”
Rohan Kalyan, an associate professor of International Studies at VCU, said he completed a residential fellowship through the Humanities Research Center about religious nationalism in India.
Kalyan participated in a research roundtable during Humanities Week discussing the fellowship on Sept. 16 at the Valentine House, according to the Humanities Research Center website
“One thing I’m really proud of with the fellowship is that we were very interdisciplinary,” Kalyan said. “We were able to gain new insight into our research by conversing and interacting with other scholars.”
Kalyan said he hoped to share exciting research about religious nationalism with attendees on Sept. 16.
He also hopes these week-long events help students understand that the humanities can equip them with tools that will follow them their whole life, Kalyan said.
Interested students can view and register for the events offered during VCU Humanities Week via the VCU via Humanities Research Center website.
Photos courtesy of the VCU Humanities Research Center from 2022.
Quote of the week
“I want all people of Latin descent to be able to see themselves on screen. I want to feel that I could open doors for other people.”
— Jenna Ortega
More than a moment: Behind the lack of Latinx representation in media
NATI FELICIANO-SOTO
Contributing Writer
Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month, where from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, we celebrate the cultural and social diversity that makes up the Latinx community — a minority community standing tall at an astounding almost 19% of the United States population.
Our food, culture and even music are a staple for many trends and societal norms and inspire the diversity of American culture, yet when you turn on a television screen we are almost nowhere to be found.
Sure, in the last couple of years, some efforts have been made with “Blue Beetle” or “On My Block,” and stars like Jenna Ortega and Selena Gomez have been at the forefront of our representation. But when “Lopez vs Lopez” is the only Latinxcentered show currently on television, we have to sit down and ask ourselves: Have we really embraced diversity, or do we just give the Latinx community small moments to shine before quietly dismissing their stories?
As a Puerto Rican American and aspiring film producer and writer, I have seen both the hopeful side of representation and the unfortunate ugly side of it. This observation has inspired me to become an advocate for proper representation in the media — a conversation that is constantly held yet with inequitable actions.
During my community college days, I conducted a year-long research project called “Behind the Lack of Latinx Representation.” This project explored the main components of our current representation including its history, the complexity of stereotypes and the steps the community is taking to address barriers within the film industry.
Historically, Latinx representation in American media has consisted of stereotypes and marginalization. Early Hollywood often casted Latinx actors in roles that perpetuated harmful and simplistic stereotypes.
Latinx actors in the early 20th-century were largely confined to roles that served as a parody of how American society viewed Latinx people rather than letting them be complex characters. They were frequently restricted to comedic sidekicks or villains in various films and television shows, reinforcing narrow portrayals and often perpetuating negative stereotypes.
In the late 20th and early 21st-centuries, there were some efforts to shift this narrative. Shows like “Saved by the Bell” and “George Lopez” emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s, challenging existing stereotypes and providing more honest portrayals of Latinx characters.
Despite the impact of these groundbreaking shows, they still faced significant challenges, including limited episode orders, constant time slot changes and a lack of long-term support.
There were notable attempts to improve representation in the 2010s. Shows like “Jane the Virgin” and “One Day at a Time” introduced more complex Latinx characters and storylines.
However, these efforts have not always been sustainable. The cancellation of beloved shows featuring Latinx leads such as “Gordita Chronicles,” “The Horror of Dolores Roach” and “Freeridge” highlights a persistent issue in the industry: the lack of a sustained commitment to diversity.
This issue is evident when you look at
the current media landscape. We may have a movie or two in which Jenna Ortega or Xolo Maridueña will pop in as our hero, but the fleeting nature of support for Latinx-centric projects suggests a superficial embrace of diversity rather than a deepseated commitment.
Addressing the disparity in Latinx representation requires more than just tokenism or short-lived projects. Several strategies can foster meaningful and lasting change:
Investment in Diverse Stories: Media companies must commit to not only including Latinx characters but also investing in stories that reflect the diverse experiences within the community. This involves supporting projects from Latinx creators and Latinx-owned production companies that can bring authentic voices and perspectives to the forefront.
Sustained Representation: It is crucial to ensure that Latinx representation is not just a trend, but a consistent presence across all forms of media. This means giving Latinx-
led projects the support they need to thrive and not canceling them prematurely.
Inclusion Behind the Camera: True representation extends beyond on-screen talent. Increasing Latinx involvement in writing, directing and producing can lead to more authentic and diverse storytelling. It also ensures that the narratives being shared are both genuine and impactful.
Audience Advocacy: Audiences play a significant role in shaping media trends by actively supporting Latinx-led projects and voicing dissatisfaction with the lack of representation. Viewers can influence networks and studios to prioritize diversity.
As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, it is essential to recognize both the progress made and the work that still remains. Embracing true diversity means ensuring that Latinx individuals are not only seen but also heard and valued in every corner of the media.
Only then can we achieve a representation that truly reflects the rich and varied experiences of the Latinx community.
Illustration by Zoë Luis.
Dating apps killed the meet-cute
LAUREN PRATTIS
Audience Editor
Accidentally reaching for the same drink at the coffee shop, staring at the same piece of art at the museum for hours and getting tangled in each other’s dog leashes at the park — these are prime examples of how meeting a romantic partner used to go.
But thanks to dating apps like Hinge and Tinder, romantic comedy-style meet-cutes are now few and far between.”
The convenience of swiping left and right on just a picture and a curated profile to find your “match” may override the awkwardness
of a first interaction, but it also takes away the first “spark.”
Almost all dating app interactions go the same way: You match, exchange surface-level small talk and eventually the conversation fizzles out. These infinite options should in theory increase someone’s chances of finding “their person,” but it just creates a cycle of superficiality.
This is what I like to call the “one-swipeaway mentality” — people are spending more time on the apps because they think the more time they do, the chances of finding true love increase.
Snap judgments based on appearance lead to superficial observations about the other person. This is not to say that physical attraction does not matter, but the appearance-based focus makes it harder to connect on a deeper level.
Users are also constantly seeking
validation through likes, blinded by the feeling of being wanted. It is almost like a game of “who can you get the most attention from for the least amount of work.” The apps have almost become just another social media platform with an overwhelming, constant stream of people to look at.
Having a “roster” — a constant stream of relationship prospects — can be either exhilarating or debilitating. Drawing from personal experience, it can greatly impact self-confidence at times.
Constantly having your appearance judged by so many people every day leads to emotional burnout. It is disheartening for those who put themselves out there in the hopes of finding a real connection but have yet to find their “perfect match.”
Modern dating culture leads people to believe this is the only way to connect.
Even if a match on an app leads to an actual first date, there still remains a disconnect between the pair — there is a false sense, or even lack of chemistry between matches because their meeting was not organic. Even though it may seem like it, not all hope is lost. We just need to re-embrace face-to-face dating. I mean, how else do we expect those rom-com style meet-cutes to happen?
We’ve become more connected to our technology than we are to each other. Instead of spending hours swiping on an app, try introducing your friend to the cute person in your class, or talk to the person you see reading your favorite book in Monroe Park — don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
While it may sound cliche and optimistic, there is potential for everyone to find that special someone.
Illustration by Sofia Rahnama.
Joke of the week
“When I was born I was so ugly the doctor slapped my mother.”
— rOdney dangerfield
Styling for success
DYLAN HOSTETTER
Opinions and Humor Editor
Even though we don’t like to admit it, our appearance matters. People judge others every day at first glance, from their hair and their clothes to their fanny pack shaped like the Lorax — which isn’t lame and definitely looks cool. Those middle schoolers don’t know what they are talking about.
After three years of college, I was ready to shake up my look. Throughout my time at this university, I have had the same hair, the same glasses and the same amount of women talking to me — that being zero. I didn’t plan this makeover just to pick up girls to be clear, but it wouldn’t have been an unwelcome outcome.
I was prepared to rehaul my entire wardrobe — to leave behind my boring cargo shorts, button-down polos and sneakers. Instead, I would now don the first three items I pulled blindly out of my closet each morning.
This plan backfired horribly almost immediately. On the first morning I somehow grabbed a blazer, a bright pink feather boa and a pair of pants that read “spank me” with two stars ironed onto the back pockets. What’s strange is I don’t remember buying any of these things. I’m a little frightened that so much random stuff found its way into my closet.
I couldn’t bring myself to back down from my plan on the very first day, so I swallowed my pride and dressed myself.
Several girls did talk to me that day — if you count screaming, pointing and giggling as conversation. I was also assaulted by a strange old woman in the park who very passionately heeded my pants’ request.
After experiencing what a real wardrobe change felt like, I decided to take a different approach to overhauling my appearance — I would dye my ginger locks to a new, lessabrasive color.
My red hair has always been a gift and a curse. While it did garner me a higher pain tolerance, it also came along with its fair share of nicknames: Little Orphan Annie, Ginger Fanny, Mr. Stinky. I’m not really sure exactly how that last one connects to my hair, but you try and reason with a bunch of nine-year-olds.
I found myself in the hair dye aisle, which was filled with so many different options I was almost overwhelmed. To keep my experiment random and spontaneous, I haphazardly grabbed a bottle off the shelf with my eyes closed. It was orange.
Semi-defeated but refusing to give up, I bought it anyway. I’m sure the instructions on the bottle were very clear, but the words were too small and I refused to read them. As part of my makeover, I also stopped wearing my glasses — a decision that has made driving much more interesting.
Since I was disregarding the hair dye’s directions, I decided to just dump the entire bottle on my head, go to bed and hope for the best. I mean, how complicated could
dying your hair really be?
Well, it turns out it can be pretty complicated. I woke up the next morning to the surprising sight of clumps of halfburnt hair scattered all over the bed. By the time I peeled the rest of my scalp off of my pillowcase, I was left with only enough hair on my head to constitute a shabby mohawk.
The worst part was not my patchy, blotchy scalp — it was the color. I’m assuming there was some reaction between the orange of the dye and the orange of my hair because the color I was left with was the most putrid green any human has ever laid their eyes on — like the inside of Baby Yoda’s diaper.
I felt naive for thinking my red hair was a problem. It was a heck of a lot better than being stuck with the Jolly Green Giant’s happy-trail running across the top of my head for the foreseeable future.
I had failed miserably at every attempt to reinvent my look. Mistakenly, I thought I had gone too small. I could always change clothes, and eventually the dye would fade and my hair would grow back. I decided on something a bit more permanent — a tattoo.
I booked an appointment at the closest tattoo parlor, and when I arrived I was greeted by a woman that looked vaguely like Captain Jack Sparrow. I knew I was in good hands.
It’s hard to pick a good first tattoo. I knew I wanted something tough, something that would strike fear in others — but the
good kind of fear, not the, “Uh oh, here comes a grown man wearing a Lorax fanny pack” kind of fear. Look, I still maintain that it is a cool accessory, but I can understand how it may give me a weird vibe.
I decided to replicate one of the most famous tattoos ever: Mike Tyson’s face tattoo. I told the artist what I wanted, but there must have been something lost in translation because instead of his cool Māori inspired tattoo, she wrote Mike Tyson’s name down the left side of my face.
I think she may have not only been hard of hearing, but also dyslexic, because the tattoo didn’t even say “Mike Tyson,” but “Make Turson.” Come to think of it, I don’t even think she was a real tattoo artist. That would explain why her hands were so shaky and why the shop manager chased her out into the street with a broom. If there is a moral to this story, maybe it’s that our appearance doesn’t matter. Maybe we should stop caring what others think of the way we dress or wear our hair and just be comfortable being ourselves. Or maybe we should care. Maybe we should be thinking about how we look every day all the time — I don’t know.
Honestly, I don’t think you should be taking any advice from me at all. I mean, I am the guy with “Make Turson” inked into his face skin, and what I can only assume is permanent scalp damage — it’s just so darn itchy.
Illustration by Johnnie Watkins.
The Beauty of Online Classes by Amber
FINANCIAL LITERACY
By Jill Singer
Los Angeles Times Crossword Puzzle
FINANCIAL LITERACY
Edited by Patti Varol
By Jill Singer
swiping right?
“__ Tunes”
Hayao Miyazaki genre
wrong
Change for a five
Creole pod 2 Uriah __: Dickens villain
Event at Citi Field
Make
Takes up the challenge
Los Angeles Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle
Edited by Patti Varol
Edited by Patti Varol