Richmond school system grads not going to VCU

In the 2007 school year Virginia Commonwealth University enrolled nearly 4,000 students, the school’s highest total in its 40 year history. However, only a fraction of those students came from public  high schools in the city of Richmond.

Just 51 graduates from Richmond city schools enrolled at VCU this past year.  VCU President Eugene Trani, told the Faculty Senate that he believes those numbers are too low.

VCU’s Vice Provost of Admissions, Delores Taylor, believes the city’s small high school population and graduation rates are both factors.

“Compared to some school systems, the numbers of students who are graduating from the high school within the public schools in Richmond are low,” said Taylor.

Not only are the graduation rates low, but Taylor has found an even simpler problem with Richmond and VCU, and that is proximity.

“Many students will decide, for example, that they’d like to go away to school. Many students will decide to go away from home and they may feel that VCU is a little to close to them,” Taylor said.

Virginia’s wine to help support cancer research

Virginia’s love for wine has turned into a method of financial support for cancer research.

Virginia held its first annual wine festival this weekend, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.  More than 40 wineries let visitors sample their finest creations.  Gourmet food companies and restaurants were there with specialty products too.

The Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center is the expo’s charitable partner. Fifty percent of the expo’s profits go towards the Center’s studies and the other half of the earnings support the Virginia Wineries Association and expo expenses.

Alex Papajohn is the founder and director of the expo. The Massey Cancer Center was Papajohn’s first thought of a notable charity.  His parents are cancer survivors and he wanted to partner with a name that is recognized in the community to help drive ticket sales.

Communications Director, Andrea Butler, of the Massey Cancer Center said that the center is excited about the partnership.

“To us the connection is partnering with a large activity in the community where we can reach a lot of people. Cancer affects one out of every two men, and one out of every three women,” Butler said.

Papajohn and Butler agreed that their connection would reach a larger crowd from the surrounding community, who support cancer research.

While this two-day affair is the first of its kind, it was in fact a success. More than 8,000 wine enthusiasts attended the event, which surpassed Papajohn’s predictions of only 5,000.

Papajohn is already making predictions for a bigger expo next year, with plans to lengthen the event to three days, including a wine makers dinner, and trade gala.

With a forecast of 10,000 attendees next year, the increase in wine sales will continue to add to the Massey Cancer Center’s contributions for research.

“In the second or third year, we will really start to raise serious money for a charitable organization,” said Papajohn.

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**Research projects and discoveries for the Massey Cancer Center are endless. Those who missed the wine festival can call (804) 828-1450 or log onto Massey’s website at www.massey.vcu.edu, and click on Support Massey to learn how to make further contributions.

 

Commercialization of Easter

If you’re a Richmond native, you’ve probably heard of or visited the Easter On Parade held annually on scenic Monument Avenue. It focuses on the “fun” rather than religious aspect of Easter by showcasing lots of activities, food, music, and contests throughout the day. Though the Easter On Parade has become a staple event in the heart of downtown Richmond, some might point out that this sort of celebration is part of the commercialization of Easter.

According to www.dictionary.com, “commercialization” means “to make commercial in character, methods, or spirit; to emphasize the profitable aspects of, especially at the expense of quality.” In other words, the meaning of Easter today seems to supercede the religious story that we learned about about as a child. Marketing efforts indulge in profits earned through candy, toys, decorations, etc. at Easter time. According to recent reports, over a billion dollars is spent at Easter time.

How did Easter turn into a gift giving holiday or a reason for children to believe in the “Easter Bunny”?

How many people, Christian and non-Christian, actually know the story behind Easter?

Do today’s celebratory efforts influence you and your beliefs about Easter?

Do advertisements make you feel like you should go out and buy Easter products?

http://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/origin-of-easter.htm

http://www.venturerichmond.com/events/vrevents.html

A rugger’s story:Monica Motley

VCU Insight reporter, Ashley Tipton, sat down with rugby player, Monica Motley, to get more insight on what drives her love for a sport that some say, only crazy people play.  Motley is a 23-year-old senior at Virginia Commonwealth University, who played her last game in her college career, in the Marfu Tournament this March.  Motley is part of the VCU Women’s Rugby team, and plays the position of “back” in the “backline.”  She is one of the 5-6 girls who the ball is passed to, for a chance to score a “try” or “goal.”  Motley has played rugby throughout her time at VCU, and is hoping her graduate journey will score a position on Virginia Tech’s Division I team.

Books on Wheels brings bikes books and fun

A bunch of old bikes a pile of books and a painted school bus, these are key ingredients in a plan to bring free books bike repair and lots of fun to people who could use all three. If this sounds a little gonzo it should because the main inspiration for the Books on Wheels gang is the Muppets.

A graduate student at VCU’s school of social work has come up with her own form of community outreach by giving away free books and bike repair.

Shelley Briggs and Ward Tefft of Richmond say this is one of the best ideas dreamed up yet. It’s their organization called Books on Wheels. This community-focused group gives away books and repairs Bicycles for free.

Money vs. morals, Virginia retirement system indirectly supports genocide in Darfur

Picture this, your mother or father worked for the general public (i.e. state employee, educator, county/city/town employee) and now he/she has retired. They’re receiving pensions and benefits provided by a state agency whose sole interest is to simply provide the very best in benefits for retired public employees. No dilemma so far, actually sounds pretty reasonable right?

Now, this agency relies on stocks and investments for 75-80% of the return that provides benefits for mom and dad, the other 20-25% is our tax dollars. What if you found out the state agency providing those benefits, invests in the stocks of companies that operate in Sudan, Africa? Not just any part of Sudan, but in a region called Darfur. In 2003, President Bush and congress ruled an apparent genocide is underway in the region. Here in lies the problem.

VCU tailgate party had students Chillin’ N’ Grillin’

Virginia Commonwealth University is one of only a few state universities of its size without a football team, but that does not stop the school from celebrating Homecoming. 

Just before hundreds of VCU basketball fans took their places in the stands of the Siegel Center, beer and barbeque were on the menu at VCU’s annual Chill n’ Grill. 

Described by sponsors as a tailgate party in the middle of winter, the Chill n’ Grill took place in the school’s VV Parking Lot.  The party came at the end of VCU’s Homecoming Week, just before the men’s basketball game against Towson and the crowning of a new king and queen during half time.

Organizers say this years theme, “the last of the eighties babies,” was chosen since the current freshman class was mostly born in 1989: signaling the end of a generation of VCU students who remember when Zach Morris ran Bayside High School and “Too Legit to Quit” ruled the airwaves.  More than 400 frat brothers, sorority sisters and alumni made up the crowd’s majority – many dressed in full black and gold garb.  MC Hammer and LL Cool J blasted through the loudspeakers as students danced, drank and most certainly ate their hot dogs and hamburgers.

Bogart’s: New location, same ingredients

Pictures lining the walls of Bogart’s tell a story spanning nearly four decades worth of memories. Recently though, some worried that Bogart’s would be moving out of the Fan forever.

Current owner, Joe Bacas, has found a new home nearby for his patrons and his pictures. He just won’t say where.

“The information, when it’s released, everyone will know where we’re going and that time’s coming up real soon,” said Bacas.

A location change can be a nightmare for business owners but Bacas is confident that regulars will find them.

“They said just let us know where you’re going and we’ll follow.”