The Commonwealth Times; August 24, 2022

KATRINA LEE News Editor

undreds of students in black and gold t-shirts gathered at Monroe Park on Monday during the university’s New Student Convocation, where President Michael Rao welcomed VCU’s class of 2026.

The University Student Commons put on events such as the New Student Convocation the first couple weeks of classes for VCU’s Weeks of Welcome, allowing students to explore campus and meet new people, according to their website.

“This is a place that will really shape you. You have a team of faculty behind you at this institution that are dedicated towards your growth,” Rao said during the event.

Rao also said students will love their experience at the university and to be proud of who they are.

Students were then led by Rodney the Ram and the university’s pep band down the streets on and around campus during the university's annual Ram Spirit Walk. A multitude of student organizations lined the streets where the walk took place, chanting “let’s go VCU” and cheering.

Freshman business student Cory Harrison said he has lived close to Richmond his whole life in South Chester, but came to VCU excited to live on his own in the city.

“There are no big buildings like this,” Harrison said. “And they [VCU] said there was diversity and I mean I wasn’t really expecting it, it’s everywhere. I am from close by but this is completely different. I feel far away.”

Harrison said he has been attending a lot of events the university has put on since

moving in this last weekend. He also said he was surprised by the amount of people in his freshman class.

“There are a lot of things to do and a lot of people to meet,” Harrison said.

The Student Organization & Volunteer Opportunity Fair is a Weeks of Welcome event taking place in Monroe Park this Friday, where students will have the chance to connect with over 500 student organizations.

Patterson said they also identified three groups of “specialized populations” this Weeks of Welcome session, which are for sophomores, commuters and transfers. Patterson said the Commons believes these groups need more “appreciation and welcome” this year, and are putting on specific events for these populations.

Upcoming WoW events H

There is now a return of a sense of normalcy this session since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, in terms of the variety of event options and the number of VCU offices participating in the events, Patterson said.

“We are excited to be back pretty much at full force this session, and we hope that everyone feels welcomed and spirited,” Patterson said.

Most of the students were unmasked at the events on Monday, following the university enacting a new policy of voluntary masking indoors and outdoors on campus, with the exception of clinical settings and health ystem facilities, according to the VCU One Together website.

Marketing freshman Jenna Stevens said she loves VCU already based on community and academic opportunities she has already seen.

Friday, Aug. 26, 3-6 p.m. Monroe Park

International Beach Party

Saturday, Aug. 27, 3-7 p.m., Cary Street Field

MCV Campus Block Party

Thursday, Sept. 8, 3-6 p.m., Larrick Student Center

RecWell Passport to Well-Being

Assistant Director for Student Organizations, Leadership and Civic Engagement and Weeks of Welcome Co-Chair Nicole Patterson said the Weeks of Welcome’s purpose is to help new and returning students make “vital connections” the first couple weeks they are on campus.

“We know it’s very important based on research for students to make those connections early so they feel like they have a place at VCU,” Patterson said.

“I love the diversity. It’s not just diverse in race, it’s diverse in abilities, talents and personalities,” Stevens said.

Stevens said she is planning on attending more of the Weeks of Welcome events in the next couple weeks in order to meet new people.

“I am already setting up my calendar and writing stuff down,” Stevens said.

Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m., James Branch Cabell Libary

Go Beyond the Compass Fair

Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., The Compass Plaza

Student Organization & Volunteer Opportunity Fair

We are excited to be back pretty much at full force this session, and we hope that everyone feels welcomed and spirited”

Nicole

Patterson, leadership and civic engagement and weeks of welcome co-chair

Rodney the Ram and members of The Peppas march towards campus down West Main Street, leading the annual Ram Spirit Walk. Photo by Alessandro Latour

Stories of the week

national: The Food and Drug Administration is intending to authorize updated versions of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna’s COVID-19 boosters around Labor Day. international: Russian troops are holding a nuclear plant and its workers hostage in Kyiv, Ukraine amidst the six-month long war between the two countries.

ANNA CHEN Audience Editor KATRINA LEE News Editor

The individual being charged with defrauding VCU of nearly half a million dollars in a 2018 email scam is being detained in custody until the start of his trial.

The Department of Justice announced on Aug. 10 the scam, run by three individuals who hold dual citizenship in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, defrauded the university and attempted the same with other universities around the U.S.

Olabanji Egbinola and his co-conspirators were extradited from the U.K. after his extradition appeal was rejected on July 12, according to a press release from the Department of Justice. Olabanji is the main focus in the case of VCU and is now facing charges in the United States.

“The scams allegedly perpetrated by the defendants and their co-conspirators targeted unsuspecting victims including universities in North Carolina, Texas and Virginia,

and attempted to cause more than $5 million in losses,” the DOJ press release stated.

Egbinola first reached out to VCU on Sept. 26, 2018, according to the DOJ press release. He used the name “Rachel Moore” and pretended to be an employee from Kjellstrom and Lee, Inc., a Richmond-based construction company with an ongoing contract with the university.

The scammer then requested an Automated Clearing House wire transfer for payment on a construction project, according to an affidavit issued in support of extraditing Egbinola. The scammer conspired to launder the money and transfer it overseas.

The university traded emails back and forth from October through December of 2021 with “Rachel Moore,” who eventually convinced a university employee to wire the money to a Bank of Hope account, according to the DOJ press release.

VCU was contacted in January by their bank, informing the university of the wire

transfer being fraudulent. The university found there was no Rachel Moore at Kjellstrom and Lee, Inc., and the company never received the wire payment, according to the press release from the DOJ.

VCU recovered a “significant amount of funds” through insurance, university spokesperson Mary Kate Brogan stated in an email.

Brogan also stated there are now “additional safeguards put into place” to help protect the university from these types of fraud in the future. Brogan declined to comment any further and refused to connect The Commonwealth Times to another spokesperson.

Egbinola was charged with four counts of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering for his attempt at defrauding VCU.

A preliminary and detention hearing was held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. for Egbinola in

the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, where evidence was presented prior to the upcoming trial.

A U.S District Judge said there are no conditions which would ensure Egbinola’s presence in the United States and maintain the “safety of the community.” He stated his decision may be appealed later.

“There’s no dispute he has minimal ties to the United States and has ties to two other countries. I have to go on the information I have here today,” said Judge Mark Colombell. “Due to the nature of the offense and lack of verifiable information, the court finds you need to be held in custody.”

Benjamin Beliles, trial attorney for Egbinola, said the case is mostly “guilt by association,” as there’s no direct evidence that shows his client defrauded VCU.

“The evidence is circumstantial … There is no smoking gun,” Beliles said. “Someone committed a fraud against VCU. The question is who was it?”

VARSHA VASUDEVAN Staff Writer

VCU, Virginia Tech and James Madison University students now have access to additional mental health services because of a partnership formed in January with TimelyMD, according to VCU Associate Director of Clinical Services Caroline Coffill.

Coffill said the universities’ partnership with the virtual medical care company, TimelyMD, is a “necessary addition” to university counseling services, because it provides “greater flexibility” in accessing services for students.

The universities’ combined efforts aspire to identify similar mental health concerns and patterns among students across campuses, according to Coffill.

Coffill said the pandemic worsened stress among individuals regarding

mental health. A 2020 study found that a statistically significant number of college students experienced increased stress and anxiety due to the pandemic.

Students do not have to get referrals from University Counseling Services in order to access TimelyCare and can do so independently, Coffill said.

Senior VCU communication arts major Audrey Hale said prior to the partnership, there were a lot of “hoops to jump through” in terms of the number of emails and forms they had to send to be able to receive mental health service on campus.

“It took almost a month, eight emails and a phone call and some forms before I actually got to see any counselors,” Hale said. “It was fine. I got through it all. But I feel like if you’re in a bad place, that’s so much to get through, if you even get to talk to somebody.”

Hale said the partnership between

VCU, VT and JMU with TimelyMD sounds promising because it may focus more on individual needs.

A primary benefit to TimelyCare is its immediate care and attention to students at no cost, even when counseling centers on campuses may be closed, according to Director of Mental Health Operations at TimelyMD Seli Fakorzi.

“We’ve also gotten our system to the space where students are only waiting less than five minutes to connect with a provider on TalkNow,” Fakorzi said.

Fakorzi said TimelyMD’s “diverse provider network” of therapists allow students to have more choices when selecting a therapist with whom to work.

“60% of all of our providers identify as BIPOC [Black, Indeginous and people of color] providers and LGBTQ+ informed, faith-based, varying languages,” Fakorzi said. “Students can talk to a provider from

various different backgrounds that may help them match better with a provider.”

TimelyMD senior success manager

Abby Waldron said TimelyCare offers resources such as TalkNow, an on-demand service where students may speak with a licensed therapist, as part of the partnership.

Other offered services are health literacy, scheduled counseling, personal health coaching and MedicalNow, an unlimited service for mental health services that don’t qualify as emergencies. They are available to all enrolled students, even those studying abroad or in a different state, according to Waldron.

TimelyCare services are currently available to students through either the TimelyCare mobile app or website.

Illustration by Rachel Farzan

Stat of the week

VCU field hockey players graduate student Litiana Field, junior Bridget McCormick and graduate student Janne Wetzel were all named to the preseason All-Atlantic 10 teams, according to VCU Athletics.

Top 5 VCU women’s soccer games to look forward to this season

ARRICK WILSON Sports Editor

THE WOMEN’S SOCCER PROGRAM MADE it to the Atlantic 10 postseason tournament last season, with the A-10 regular season championship. The 13-win season concluded after VCU took an upset loss in the first round of the tournament to Saint Joseph’s University.

Along with the upcoming games, Ram fans should also look for the return of players graduate student Amber DiOrio and redshirt junior midfielder Anna Bagley. Both players were picked by the league’s head coaches for the preseason All-A-10 team, according to the A-10 website.

Atlantic 10 — VCU at University of Richmond Spiders: Oct. 2 at 3 p.m.

The VCU and Richmond rivalry matchup holds considerable weight each season in each different sport. The black and gold rivalry with the Spiders still lives on to this day.

The Rams currently have a two-game winning streak against the Spiders, according to VCU Athletics. The Rams can hope to keep their lead in the rivalry in an anticipated match in Richmond, Virginia.

THAILON WILSON Contributing Writer

CU’S HOME RUN HITTER, FORmer redshirt sophomore, Tyler Locklear was drafted to MLB team the Seattle Mariners in the second round of the Draft.

Last year, Locklear had a record-breaking season where he put up 20 home runs and 78 RBIs, or runs batted in, according to VCU Athletics.

Five players also transferred to different schools after tenured head coach Shawn Stiffler took the job at Notre Dame University. Redshirt sophomore pitcher Jack Masloff also joined Locklear in the MLB after signing with the Detroit Tigers.

After Stiffler took the job as the new head coach of the Fighting Irish, the black and gold hired longtime Clemson assistant coach Bradley LeCroy.

Locklear was a major contributor to the Rams winning back-to-back Atlantic 10 championships that were won during his tenure.

Black and gold fans should not be worried about the hole that is left behind by Locklear’s absence.

Rams have brought in three top No. 100 Virginia recruits, according to baseball recruiting website, Perfect Game. Perfect Game is a baseball recruiting website that ranks different recruits, according to their website. Those recruits are Ethan Serrano, Ethan Brooks and Benjamin “Macho” Santiago.

Brooks is a capable hitter and defender who has a decent hitting speed and pow-

Atlantic 10 — VCU at Saint Louis University Billikens: Oct. 20 at 8 p.m.

Saint Louis University has won the A-10 championship four straight times and was voted to win it again this season by the league’s head coaches, according to the A-10 website.

The Billikens return a plethora of A-10 first-team selections including senior midfielder Abbie Miller, senior midfielder Brionna Halverson and A-10 Rookie of the Year, sophomore forward Emily Puricelli, according to the A-10 website.

With the Billikens’ league dominance, this game could be a chance for the Rams to upset the Billikens. This is not far-fetched as the Rams defeated the Billikens last season, according to VCU Athletics.

Atlantic 10 Conference Opener — VCU vs. University of Massachusetts Minutewomen: Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.

This game will open the A-10 conference play for the Rams. Last season, the Rams only lost one match to A-10 opponents, garnering a record of nine wins out of 10 matches.

The Rams could use this as a reintroduction of to A-10 conference teams, as it can set the tone for the rest of the conference

schedule. The Rams have defeated the University of Massachusetts three straight times in the past three years, according to VCU Athletics.

VCU at No. 2 University of Virginia Cavaliers: Sept. 11 at 2 p.m.

Listed as the last non-conference game on the Ram’s schedule, the black and gold look to face the Cavaliers.

Last season, the Cavaliers earned the No. 1 seed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, advancing to the semifinal before falling to Brigham Young University, according to VCU Athletics. The Cavaliers are currently ranked as the No. 1 team in the country by the national recruiting soccer website, Topdrawersoccer.

This game could be a chance for the Rams to upset not only a nationally ranked team, but also an interstate university.

Atlantic 10 — VCU at University of Dayton Flyers: Oct. 9 at 1 p.m.

The University of Dayton was picked second to win this season’s A-10 championship by the league’s head coaches, according to the A-10 website.

The Flyers return junior forward Itala Gemelli, who is the reigning A-10 Offensive Player of the Year, according to the A-10 website. Last season, the black and gold defeated the Flyers 3-1, continuing a three-game winning streak.

This season will be interesting for the Rams, as they will play in the Sports Backers Stadium again this season. This season, the Rams will attempt to bring home an A-10 championship for the first time, according to VCU Athletics.

The Rams will play a home game against the University of North Carolina Wilmington Seahawks on Aug. 26 at 7 p.m., at the Sports Backers Stadium. For ticket information, visit vcuathletics.com.

bers with top No. 500 national recruit freshman outfielder Aden Hill.

Hill is an athletic outfielder and a decent defender — who can knock it out of the park when given the chance.

Along with these capable freshmen, the veteran Rams players knocked another year of experience under their belt and showed great promise to continue working towards a third consecutive A-10 championship.

Players like junior infielder Will Carlone, junior outfielder Cooper Benzin, graduate catcher Jacob Selden and senior outfielder AJ Mathis were key contributors to last year’s championship, as well as the deep push to the NCAA regional championship.

Carlone was a designated hitter who seemed to hit a home run at the exact right moment and was crucial in making up for the home run loss by Locklear’s departure.

er, according to recruiting website Prep Baseball Report, or PBR.

Richmond Scouting Coordinator Jason Burton labeled Brooks as one of the best middle infielders in the Mid-Atlantic after his performance at the PBR showcase.

“Where Brooks stands out the most is his defensive ability. He is one of the best middle infielders in the Mid-Atlantic regardless of class,” Burton stated.

At the PBR showcase, Serrano showed extensive offensive and defensive capabilities with an 85 mph infield throwing speed and a strong hitting average.

Serrano and Brooks will fill the role of the players we lost in the infield to the MLB and transfer portal, but the Rams have also added to their outfielder num-

Mathis is an athletic runner and contact hitter who somehow seems to get on base most of the time prepared to be a RBI counterpart for a big power hitter.

Benzin is a hitter in his own right, as well as a capable outfielder who caught many outs in fashion to finish innings.

Selden is a strong presence for VCU who partners up with pitchers well, throws fast and hits hard. His experience will be great for incoming freshmen and for the team as a whole.

VCU fans will miss hearing Locklear hit home runs at The Diamond Stadium. However, they should look forward to what is to come with the amount of talent that is coming to this team.

VCU fans should be excited for the future of Ram’s Baseball

Black and Gold fans should not be worried about the hole that is left behind by Locklear’s absence.”

Thailon Wilson, Contributing Writer

Former VCU redshirt sophomore and recent MLB draftee Tyler Locklear stands along his team before a game against the University of Virginia on April 19. Photo by Alessandro Latour

VCU Women’s soccer wave to the camera as they run out onto the field throwing shirts into the crowd before a match against Wake Forest University on Aug. 26, 2021.

Photo by Alessandro Latour

RAMS IN THE PROS:

VCU athletes head to professional sports

ARRICK WILSON Sports Editor

LUKE REEDER Contributing Writer

THREE VCU PREMIER ATHLETES ELEvated to professional sports, as their names were called this past summer. The following former members of the black and gold inked their professional contracts this summer.

Conference First Team, according to VCU Athletics.

Williams became the second consecutive basketball player for VCU to be drafted. VCU head coach Mike Rhoades said the program is thrilled for Williams being drafted.

“Really excited for Vince [Williams] and his family. I think he’s worked very, very hard to get to this point,” Rhoades said. “I’m thrilled for our program.”

Rhoades said Williams’ skills and talents can transition into the NBA for the Memphis Grizzlies.

“We’ve seen him do a lot for us and wear so many hats, but in the league, spread to court, make open threes,” Rhoades said. “If you relish your role and you start your role, you can have a great career and you know, that’s that’s his goal.”

Masloff struck out 98 total batters, and held opposing hitters to a low hitting average in his career at VCU, according to VCU Athletics.

GAME RESULTS

WOMEN'S SOCCER - VS. JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALLAT VIRGINIA

VCU senior forward Vince Williams was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies with the No. 47 overall pick in the NBA draft signing a two-way contract, according to the NBA.

Williams will play for the Memphis Hustle in the NBA’s minor league, the G League, as a part of his two-way contract, according to the NBA. Brady Klopfer, a writer for Golden State’s SportsBlogs Nation, stated how two-way contracts work in an article.

“When not playing, two-way contracts can still practice with the team, travel with the team, and sit on the bench during games as an inactive member of the team,” Klopfer stated. “They can also spend time on the team’s G League affiliate.”

The 6-foot-6-inch forward out of Toledo, Ohio led the Rams in scoring and rebounding as a senior, while being named to the All-Atlantic 10

JACK MASLOFF DETROIT TIGERS

VCU redshirt sophomore Jack Masloff signed as a free agent by the Detroit Tigers, becoming the 13th ram actively playing professional baseball, according to VCU Athletics.

The left-handed pitcher has been a part of VCU’s back-to-back A-10 championships, along with helping VCU extend a 17-game win streak last season.

Masloff’s consistent pitching contributed to the team’s success, scoring wins against Georgia University and nationally ranked North Carolina University in the NCAA Regional final.

TYLER LOCKLEAR SEATTLE MARINERS

VCU redshirt sophomore infielder Tyler Locklear was drafted with the No. 58 overall pick in the second round of the MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners, according to VCU Athletics.

Last season, while bringing home the second consecutive A-10 championship, Locklear tied the record at VCU for most home runs, while earning All-American honors twice, according to VCU Athletics.

Mariners writer Max Ellingsen raved about Locklear’s future with the team, specifically when it came to batting in an article.

“Locklear has legitimate upside and should be viewed a serious prospect for the M’s [Mariner’s] moving forward,” Ellingsen stated. “[Locklear] can flat-out hit.”

The Abingdon, Maryland product’s exceptional batting talents come as no surprise to VCU baseball fans. Locklear also ranks in the top 10 in VCU history for many accolades and records, including; second in runs, second in doubles and fifth in batting average, according to VCU Athletics.

VCU Ram fans can look forward to seeing former black and gold athletes in professional sports.

WOMEN’S SOCCER - AT NORTH CAROLINA STATE

UPCOMING GAMES

WOMEN’S SOCCER - VS. NORTH CAROLINA WILMINGTON 7 P.M.

MEN’S SOCCER - AT MARSHALL 7:15 P.M.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALLVS. HIGH POINT 11 A.M. VCU Invitational

WOMEN’S FIELD HOCKEYAT DELAWARE 5 P.M.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALLVS. LIBERTY 6 P.M. VCU Invitational

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALLVS. ELON 2:30 P.M.

VCU Invitational

VINCE WILLIAMS MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

Former VCU athletes pictured from left to right. Senior Vince Williams, redshirt sophomore Tyler Locklear and redshirt sophomore Jack Masloff. Photos by Alessandro Latour. Photo illustration by Madison Tran

On this day

Pluto was declassified as a planet on Aug. 24, 2006.

Spectrum editor's back to school list

CHLOE HAWKINS Spectrum Editor

Welcome back to campus, Rams! As we transition out of the “summer scaries” and back into reality, it’s important to remember the life hacks that get students through the first week of fall semester.

3 1

Buy a monthly planner

Starting a new semester can take a lot of planning and organizing. A monthly planner is critical to smoothly track everyday classes, appointments and meetings. In middle school, when teachers would force students to get an agenda, I never understood why — until college. It really is necessary for remembering when and where to be.

Carry a dependable backpack

A sturdy backpack is so important to have when in school. A bag that can hold every type of textbook, no matter how large. Without this, it is more likely to forget the supplies needed. Speaking from personal experience, keeping multiple books in a tote bag is not recommended, in order to avoid multiple rips in the bag by the end of the week.

Take notes in all of your classes

Note-taking is what students do most in school. Having a good pen and notepad at all times is an essential part of being a student and a learner. It’s good to have pens in all different colors to also edit schoolwork. Highlighters are also important. This item ties back into the note-taking part of classes. It calls attention to parts of lectures that further learning, and accentuate major parts of the textbooks.

4

Ask questions in your lectures

Taking notes will help a ton, but so will speaking up in class. It sounds intimidating, but it is rewarding at the end of the day. Asking any and every question — even the “stupid” ones — will give everyone the knowlege they need. It will also help with standing out to professors.

5

Wait to buy your textbooks

There are so many expenses that come along with college. Don’t add any useless items to the bills. Don’t be too eager to waste hundreds of dollars purchasing textbooks before professors state the requirement. Wait until the second week to know what’s actually going to be used, and what it is supplemental. Visit Richmond’s libraries or VCU’s own to check if the book is available before buying. That money could go towards a morning coffee from your local coffee shop!

Take some time for self care

Everyone is busy during the first week of classes, whether it’s lectures, internships, jobs or all the above. Make it a priority to put time aside for self care — both mentally and physically. This can look like yoga, meditation or even a long and intricate night routine. My favorite form of self care is completely disconnecting from my phone and laptop. No social media. No messaging. No emails.

Illustration by Killian Goodale-Porter

CHLOE HAWKINS Spectrum Editor

Richmond locals sunk their teeth into history and folklore during a Vampirology course fostered by Virginia-based professor Stanley Joseph Stephanic.

Profs and Pints brings college professors into local coffee shops, pubs and other venues to spread their knowledge, according to its website. These lessons range from politics, economics and gardening to Stephanic’s vampires with “The Life of a Vampire.”

Stephanic began teaching Slavic language and literature in August of 2005, according to Stephanic. He has also taught many other courses like Russian and Eastern European film.

“Vampires were just one of the things I was interested in as a child and all throughout my life. I was always interested in Halloween, ghosts, those kinds of things,” Stephanic said. “So it was simply a natural progression.”

This Dracula lesson isn’t just about vampires, as it’s really about human experience taught through vampires, according to Stephanic.

“They learn about Slavic history, folklore, anthropology, pandemics, psychology, almost anything you can think about,” Stephanic said. “So really, I want them to learn more about themselves in the process.”

Stephanic said the lecture was a lot of fun to teach, and that he plans on doing it again soon in Richmond.

“We have plans on doing some talks again in the fall, so we’ll see how it goes,” Stephanic said.

Stephanic got the opportunity to teach this lesson through Profs and Pints CEO Peter Schmidt. On June 6, Schmidt reached out to Stephanic via email.

Schmidt said he didn’t originally choose the entrepreneurship route, but was always inspired by his father as a child.

“My father owned an appliance business,” Schmidt said. “As a little kid I would shovel snow, cut yards, and hold lemonade stands for my neighborhood.”

Schmidt said he began his education journalism career after college, and his

topics included academic labor and higher education policy as a reporter for The Chronicle of Higher Education. He said this path led to him realizing how expensive college is.

“It bothered me to see the barriers set up between teachers and students,” Schmidt said. “I asked myself — what if we went back to what Socrates did?”

Profs and Pints had their first class in October of 2017, according to Schmidt.

Since starting in Washington D.C., they have expanded to nine other major cities: Ann Arbor, Annapolis, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Nashville, Philadelphia and Richmond.

“I want to reach every large college city and town,” Schmidt said. “Eventually we’ll be global.”

The lectures in Richmond have been

very successful, Schmidt said. There have been a total of six given in the city with an average headcount of ninety people.

“RVA has been great for me,” Schmidt said. “There has yet to be a flopped class.”

University of Virginia English alumna Tanisha Wright said people recommended taking the course while attending college.

“When I saw it was offered through Profs and Pints I had to take the opportunity,” Wright said.

Wright said an interesting thing she learned at the Profs and Pints lecture was the folklore behind vampire mythology. For example, their fear of garlic, the death of vampires by stakes and more. The biggest difference between the traditional lecture and "The Life of a Vampire" is the opportunity to enjoy learning without tedious work, according to Wright.

Wright took an English course under Professor Stephanic her freshman year titled “English Writing: Decadence,” according to Wright. This course focuses on the themes of moral and cultural decline across civilizations.

UVA Professor Stanley Stephanic teaches Vampirology at Triple Crossing Beer bar in Richmond. Photo courtesy of Stanley Stephanic

“At the time I took it because it was a requirement,” Wright said. “But Professor Stephanic definitely left an impression on me by proving that learning doesn’t have to be a stressful or painful experience.”

Richmond locals delve into human condition

Quote of the week

“You can never be overdressed or over educated.”

— oscar wilde

ISHAAN NANDWANI Opinions Editor

As the searing summer heat draws to an end, and the cool autumn breeze begins to take hold, it can only mean one thing: the end of exotic vacation days and the start of the new school year.

Back to the grind, as they say.

As a senior, I’m equally excited and anxious to be back on campus. I’m looking forward to one last hurrah — new friends, late night runs to Christian’s and anxiety-filled study sessions at Cabell.

However, my nerves are different from the butterflies in my stomach I felt as a freshman stepping on campus three years ago. Back then, I contemplated whether I would meet lifelong friends, be successful enough to get into the medical school of my dreams or be able to do life on my own.

Those fears are nearly gone, but reconciling with the reality that in a few months, my time as an undergraduate in Richmond will come to an end is…well, frightening. It’s hard to feel ready for the impending certainty of the real world outside of the university bubble.

Whether you’re a wide-eyed freshman

eager to experience the quintessential college experience, an exasperated senior attempting to savor the glory of their university days or not in college at all, but perhaps looking for some entertainment value or applicable life lessons, read on: I have some wisdom to impart upon you.

To the freshman out there, I suggest you let go of how you think your college experience should go. It’s okay if it does not live up to your expectations, and things will happen that are not according to plan. In-

deed, we often enter university with a formulaic vision of the next four years, guided by the belief that these are the best years of our lives — after all, that’s what it seems like in the movies.

You might not get into that a capella group you had your heart set on, or you might just miss that grade you needed, or you might lose a friend you thought would be there through it all — and it’s okay. Be intentional in how you choose to live out this time and work hard, but also embrace

spontaneity. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself for it to go perfectly, because it never does.

To my fellow seniors and veterans of university life: it’s hard to believe that another year has begun, signifying the beginning of the end. Thinking about the future is daunting, and I myself don’t have all the answers for what comes after. However, I do know that the human capacity for resilience is greater than we think, and just like we’ve adapted to past novel experiences, we can do it again.

Looking at the past few years alone, with the pandemic and so many of us being tested through virtual classes and isolation, we’ve been put through the ringer.

But we made it through.

Personally, there’s so much that I wish I could have done in college that I was unable to because of shutdowns and lost time. There’s still time though, and it’s up to me — and all of us — to make the most of it. Rather than living in fear of the future or with regret from the past, let’s focus on the now. As long as we take it day by day and try our best, that’s enough to make our time in college worth celebrating.

NICK BARAHONA Contributing Writer

elcome to Nick’s Picks. Join me, Nick Barahona, on our journey through the city of Richmond where I will review and showcase the different cuisines and restaurants in close proximity to campus, from the lens of a VCU student. To all new and returning Rams, I welcome you to an exciting time ahead filled with great deals and good eats.

Deviating from the typical tacos, pizza or burgers that can be found on almost every corner, this local gem offers a unique cultural experience and serves a heck of a Sunday brunch deal.”

Nick Barahona, Contributing Writer

We start off the semester with one of Richmond’s best brunch deals: El Pope’s $7 Salvadoran Brunch.

Less than a mile from Monroe Park, El Pope is open for brunch every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Located on West Main Street, the restaurant serves authentic Salvadoran food, which is hard to come by in Richmond — in fact, it’s the only restaurant within a five mile radius of VCU where you can find Salvadoran food.

Being of Salvadoran descent myself, this is especially meaningful to me as the restaurant not only reminds me of my family and culture, but also introduces the community to our cuisine. Many dishes on the menu are almost exactly what my dad’s grandma would cook for me when I would visit her house. Just the smells alone when walking into the restaurant takes me back.

Walking into the restaurant, you’ll see wooden tables, chairs and booths that are surrounded by brick walls. El Pope is also not afraid of showing off its heritage and with pictures and little souvenirs of Salvadoran culture hung on the walls, as well as a picture of the family that owns the restaurant.

El Pope offers an astounding 10 different brunch options that are each $7. Each plate includes dishes such as huevos rancheros, omelets, pupusas, elote, quesadillas, plantains and more.

My recommendation for the hungry college student is definitely the “El Salvador Tipico Brunch.” The meal comes with two eggs served however you like, a chorizo

pork link, bollo bread — which is similar to garlic bread — fried plantains, crema fresca and refried beans. There’s no question that the quantity of food is generously served, but what really stands out is the quali ty of the food itself. The dishes are fresh and flavorful, as if my grandma is in the kitchen cooking.

For my quesadilla lovers, I recommend the Brunch Quesadilla. This option includes scrambled eggs, mozzarella cheese, bell peppers, onions and your choice of either chicken or steak. This plate has not only a great size that will surely fill you up, but also a rich flavor.

The deal also comes with complimentary chips and salsa to enjoy before your food comes out. The salsa has to be one of my favorites in Richmond — it is just chunky enough with a hint of heat that goes exceptionally well with the crisp tortilla chips.

Outside of the Sunday Brunch, El Pope is open every day of the week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The price of a meal may not be as low as Sunday brunch, but you can still find excellent flavors and deals. My favorite picks are the pupusas for $2.75, and tacos such as carnitas, shrimp, steak and pork for $3 each. El Pope also offers dinner entrees such as burritos, fajitas and fish, typically served with beans and rice.

El Pope gets a big thumbs up from me.

With a deal this good, from the amount of food to the exquisite quality, this is an easy 5 out of 5 stars.

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