If you’re visiting campus after an absence of even just a few years, you’ll notice quite a number of new and wonderful buildings and spaces. In all of them, we have worked hard to carry forward Longwood’s distinctive spirit. In that vein, I am especially proud of the new statue of Joan of Arc, created by acclaimed Scottish sculptor Alexander Stoddart, which was dedicated in November and now stands formidably at the south end of Brock Commons.
In this issue of the magazine, Matt McWilliams delightfully recounts the story of Longwood’s proud history with our patron hero, dating back more than a century and now extending to three beautiful statues. The article explains why so many students here over the years have found a deep connection with Joan of Arc—a strong young woman, determined to overcome the obstacles and prejudices before her and assume the mantle of leadership.
Traditions matter. Here at Longwood, they tie together the generations of students and alumni with an enduring bond. Even as institutions grow and evolve, traditions remind us of the fundamental and timeless strengths at their hearts. Perhaps above all, traditions help create and preserve our special sense of community, which, in the experience of the many alumni in my family and in my own experience as president, has proved the essential ingredient in what so many love about this place.
Longwood’s faithful honoring of Joan of Arc is among our strongest and most enduring traditions, and this latest statue is a remarkable addition to our campus, powerfully strengthening this connection for a new generation. Come see it for yourself. It is a world-class piece of sculpture that on its own is worth the trip. And there is so much else here that is new as well—from residence halls to the Upchurch University Center to our soon-to-open new admissions building across High Street from the Rotunda. All of it reflects the best of our past as well as the future.
W. Taylor Reveley IV
President
Nothing compares to the pure adrenaline rush TRAVIS LYLES ’15 gets when he’s about to tweet breaking news to 13.3 million followers. Especially when it’s exclusive.
Whether it’s working at the Washington Post or covering local news stories in communities around Virginia, many alumni journalists see their jobs as practicing one of the purist forms of citizen leadership.
AUTUMN CHILDRESS ’18 grew up in the TV news business—literally. As a child she would sometimes wake up at 3 a.m. to go to work with her mother, a morning news anchor at the local ABC affiliate in Richmond.
Surprised, but honored. That sums up how this year’s six deserving recipients felt on learning they had been recognized in Longwood’s annual Alumni Awards program.
We all know someone like Brent Roberts, but we don’t always expect a quirky, colorful personality like his from a librarian.
Tom Wolfe, Annie Proulx, Colson Whitehead. They are counted among America’s greatest authors, their works achieving critical acclaim and a place in the syllabi of classrooms from sea to shining sea.
Sitting in a biology laboratory on the second floor of Chichester Hall, Kamarin Bradley ’19, a graphic design major, carefully pulled a sheet of aluminum foil out of her notebook.
Visitors to campus these days can see the fulfillment of several goals of Longwood’s Master Plan happening before their eyes.
The fresh water in America’s lakes is increasingly turning greenish- brown—which has negative consequences for water quality, fish and the aquatic food chain.
"It’s really important that we honor and have pride in our history but also that we allow allies to join us and show their humanity."
Eva O’Leary, an artist whose photographs are on exhibit at the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts through March 31, has never seen her great-great-grandmother’s wedding dress.
Students from across campus turned out early in the spring semester to learn more about Longwood’s 175 student organizations.
One Tuesday evening a little more than a month into his freshman year, Jaelon Hariston was learning to run the state-of-the-art equipment in Longwood’s communication studies broadcast studio.
It might be an easy peanut butter bird feeder made from ribbon and cardboard tubes. It might be making cookies.
Next year, groups of Longwood students will travel to Puerto Rico—a Caribbean territory that has been the subject of intense debate since a devastating hurricane struck the island in September 2017.
In this, her seventh book, Tracy collected and edited the work of 19 other scholars from across various disciplines, as well as writing the introduction and an article.
When Longwood hired Griff Aldrich as head men’s basketball coach in March 2018, the head coach of the team Aldrich had worked with the previous two years had strong words to share.
The soundtrack of Iler Hall is unmistakable. A symphony of crashing barbells, primal grunts and all manner of hype music played at ear-splitting volumes has long emanated from the building.
Sam Hovan’s timing is impeccable—not only in his play-by-play commentary but also in his arrival at Longwood just in time to take over as the Voice of the Lancers for a historic men’s basketball season.
Wallace repeats as Big South Defensive Player of the Year The fall produced yet another winning season for Longwood women’s soccer.
It’s just another day at the office for Longwood students who participate in the new work shadow program run by Alumni and Career Services.
Two of my grandmother’s three children were attending the same school, and she consequently felt compelled to get some form of Longwood merchandise to show her support. She chose a sweatshirt.
For many teachers, “professional development” takes the form of attending a class, workshop or conference.
Ashley Jones ’12 is one of many Longwood alums inspired by the late Dr. Bill Stuart, professor of communication studies, who was known to respond to almost any greeting with the same phrase: “Living the brand.”
When a social media campaign focused on Longwood alums who are teachers went viral last August, staff in Alumni and Career Services knew they were onto something.
Louise Scolamiero Liddle ’75 was named chair of the board of trustees of Destination Imagination Inc. (DI) in October 2018.
Virginia Jones Canada ’40 Oct. 11, 2018, Mallory Davis Foster ’43 Dec. 14, 2018
In January of 2016, the Virginia Department of Education (VaDOE) released a legislative study focusing on the shortage of qualified teachers in Virginia’s classrooms.
Like many good stories, this one begins with a legend. Here’s how it goes. It was 2001, and Ruffner Hall was on fire.