Spider Insider

News

Faculty In Residence Dr. Shannon Jones with students on Spider Mural Day.

UR Now: STUDENT EXPERIENCE

University of Richmond professors bring learning into the residence halls

Faculty in Residence host events and build relationships that connect academic and residential life.

University of Richmond’s Nicole Maurantonio Named ACE Fellow

University of Richmond Announces Tyler Betzhold as Executive Director of Dining Services

Community Invited to Westhampton Lake Cleanup Day at the University of Richmond this Friday

Announcements

Distinguished Advisor Award nominations due May 1

April 22, 2026

Do you know an outstanding academic advisor? Would you like to recognize an academic advisor's commitment to their students and to the practice of academic advising? If so, please consider nominating them for this year's Distinguished Advisor Award.

To nominate an advisor for the 2025–26 Distinguished Advisor Award, please complete the online form by May 1.

The recipient will be notified of their selection in July, and the award will be presented in August.

Staff commencement volunteer opportunity

April 20, 2026

The commencement team is looking for volunteers to assist with the main commencement ceremony. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the sign-up form. Thank you for your interest and commitment to volunteering for Commencement 2026.

Thanks for completing your self-evaluations

April 16, 2026

Thank you to all staff who have completed your self-evaluations — your thoughtful input is essential to a strong review process. Managers, please continue engaging with your teams and partnering with HR to ensure timely, meaningful conversations and next steps.

WCR closed for renovations May 10–25

April 15, 2026

The Weinstein Center for Recreation will be closed for renovations May 10–25. During this period, faculty, staff, students, dependents, and members will have access to the JCC.

For information about the JCC facility, policies and more, check out the FAQs.

Corporate 5K Registration Open

April 14, 2026

Run or walk a 5K post-work at the Innsbrook Office Park on Thursday, June 4. Enjoy the evening with UR colleagues and friends. Cross the finish line and then keep the celebration going at RVA's best networking event. Enjoy an event complete with a DJ, food, drinks, and a UR team t-shirt. Register now.

Upcoming events

Apr 25

SPCS Academic Classes End
Apr 28

TIAA One-on-One Appointments
Apr 28

Navigating a Multigenerational Workplace
May 08

Commencement Weekend
May 13

TIAA One-on-One Appointments
May 13

Presenting with Confidence
May 19

Effective Communication
May 20

Avoiding Social Security Scams

Campus Highlights

Kudos

April 1, 2026

Disability Services Campus Partner Proctors

A massive thank you to Ayanna Santiago, Brian Joseph, Lisa Mathews-Ailsworth, Olivia Rosenblum, Jason Honesto, Alfie Price, and Patrick Benner for assisting with proctoring in the Disability Services Testing Center this semester. Their generous and thoughtful work in our office has provided hundreds of students with disabilities an equitable and accessible test-taking experience and environment. These Disability Services campus partners truly embody the spirit of collaboration and teamwork.
—Julia Kelly, Disability Services

March 11, 2026

Veronica Clinton

Veronica Clinton [administrative coordinator, music] did an outstanding job organizing the complex schedules, travel, and housing for three tenure-track job applicants, two external program reviewers, and multiple artists-in-residence during the first half of the semester, despite multiple weather-related travel disruptions. The Department of Music faculty wishes to thank Veronica for her incredible organizational skills.
—Andy McGraw, Music
March 10, 2026

Bridgette Dodge

Shout out to Bridgette [catering] for always being so professional and accommodating to ensure that all our catering orders are top notch. She truly cares that the customer and community have a great experience and goes above and beyond to accommodate our preferences and dietary needs, as well as address all questions, concerns, and changes. Her ability to keep track of our orders and corresponding changes during the ice and snow in January and February was amazing, and it was great to know that she was on top of it all.
—Anne Wroniewicz, Law School

March 5, 2026

Erinn Brown and Cliff Wingfield

Both Erinn [catering] and Cliff [events, conferences, and support services] went above and beyond to ensure our Scholar Athlete Breakfast was a success. They used creative ways to help us with traffic flow and buffet service. Cliff did a fantastic job making sure we had enough stage to support the award presentations. We greatly appreciated their effort, attention to detail and communication. Thank you!
—Sharon Broyles, Athletics
February 11, 2026

Travis Smith

Shout out to Travis Smith [head, library facilities and logistics] for being on point and opening the library during wave one of Winter Storm Fern. Travis is the unsung hero of library operations. This week exemplifies his service, dedication, and resourcefulness. The impact of his work ensures the library is ready to receive library staff as well as the UR community we serve. Travis presses forward day and night, always has a positive attitude, and brings his best foot forward everyday. We <3 Travis! Thank you!
—Chase Monroe & the Access Services Team

February 5, 2026

Patrick Benner, Tyler Betzhold, Paul Lozo, Dave McCoy, Berkley Miller

My sincere thanks for ALL that you and your teams did to keep necessary operations steady while simultaneously working to prepare campus to return to a more normal state. The commitment that has been on display these last many days — and is shown every day at UR — highlights the best of who we are. The Student Development team and I are grateful and feel privileged to work with such wonderful and dedicated colleagues. So, thank you. From all of us — staff, faculty, and students alike — for your tremendous efforts.
—Todd Adams, Student Development

Did you know…

8:1

Undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio

Accomplishments

Knouse publishes on cultural differences in stigma and masking in ADHD
April 24, 2026
Laura Knouse, professor of psychology, published “A narrative review of stigma and masking in ADHD: insights from English-language research and the Japanese cultural context” in Frontiers in Psychology. The paper examines how adults with ADHD may mask their symptoms to avoid related stigma and how that might differ between Japan and the United States.

Pettis presents paper on the endurance of Academic Twitter
April 24, 2026
Ben Pettis, assistant professor of rhetoric and communication studies, presented "Rumors of Twitter's Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated: Examining the Persistence and Perseverance of Academic Twitter" at the Cinema and Media Studies in Solidarity with Palestine (CMSSP) conference.

Holloway testifies as expert witness in disfranchisement case
April 24, 2026
Pippa Holloway, Cornerstones Chair in History, testified as an expert witness in a special three judge panel trial court in the Shelby County (Tennessee) Circuit Court. The case, Moses v. Goins et al., challenges a law that permanently disfranchises Tennessee citizens following a felony conviction. Holloway presented historical testimony that included a historical analysis of the Free and Equal Elections clause of the Tennessee Constitution, which requires conviction by a jury before a person otherwise entitled to vote could be denied suffrage on the basis of a criminal conviction.
Knouse publishes on ADHD task management strategies
April 24, 2026
Laura Knouse, professor of psychology, published “For adults with ADHD — or even those with just some symptoms — using smart strategies to start and complete tasks can make all the difference” in The Conversation.

Peters publishes on ChatGPT performance and life sciences assessment design
April 24, 2026
John Peters, assistant professor of biology, published "Designing life science assessments in the era of generative artificial intelligence" in PLOS ONE.

Jacobsen co-leads and James facilitates global health workshop
April 24, 2026
Kathryn Jacobsen, William E. Cooper Distinguished University Chair and professor of health studies, co-led the Global Health Educators Community workshop at the annual meeting of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health meeting, and Nigel James, assistant professor of health studies, served as a workshop facilitator.
Pettis publishes on celebrity and ordinary people as internet memes
April 23, 2026
Ben Pettis, assistant professor of rhetoric and communication studies, published “The two lives of Chuck Norris” in The Conversation about what happens when internet culture turns both celebrities and regular people into memes.

Kong publishes book on how to make plant-based living a sustainable lifestyle
April 23, 2026
Joanne Kong, senior teaching faculty of music, published Veggan Made Easy: A Practical Guide to Plant-Based Living. The book includes practical advice on adopting a plant-based lifestyle and how everyday choices are integral to more compassionate living.

McWhorter’s book proposes moving away from individual identity to collective living
April 23, 2026
Ladelle McWhorter, Stephanie Bennett-Smith, Chair of Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies, Emerita, published Unbecoming Persons: The Rise and Demise of the Modern Moral Self. The book challenges our contemporary focus on personal identity and self-improvement, advocating instead for a greater emphasis on communal living and relational well-being.