Notables
First Spider in space
NASA has assigned Leland Melvin, R’86, to an upcoming space shuttle mission that will deliver the European Space Agency’s Columbus Laboratory to the International Space Station.
When he got the news, Melvin went running and jumping through his house. “My dog was looking at me like I was crazy,” he told the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Melvin landed a job at NASA in 1989 after injuries cut his professional football career short. He joined the astronaut corps in 1998, but his upcoming mission marks his first opportunity to blast into space. He will be responsible for working the shuttle’s robotic arms to attach the Columbus Laboratory to the space station.
At Richmond Melvin was the quintessential student-athlete. As a wide receiver, he set school records in career receptions (198) and receiving yards (2,669). In the classroom, he demonstrated that same high level of performance as a chemistry major.
Melvin’s space shuttle mission will not blast off until September 2007 at the earliest, but it looks like his extraterrestrial dream will finally come true.
“I can’t wait to float over to the nearest window” and see the Earth as it really is, he said in a NASA interview. “Blues, greens, browns … no borders. One globe for everyone. … I think this is a way I can help promote peace in the world.”
Today show features Richmond couple
Joshua Walker, R’03, and Chaunteé Schuler, W’03, sang a duet, swirled through a ballroom dance and competed in other challenges in a bid to win a lavish wedding from NBC’s Today show.
“It was American Idol meets Survivor for weddings,” Walker says.
Of all the challenges, singing embarrassed Walker the most as he struggled to hold up his end of “A Whole New World.” Attempting a duet with Schuler, a rising Broadway star, in front of 8 million people “was just insane,” he says.
Schuler currently plays the lead role of Nala in Disney’s touring production of The Lion King. Walker is a doctoral candidate at Princeton University. They got engaged last summer, but postponed the wedding when Schuler landed The Lion King role. Too busy to plan a wedding, they entered the “Today Throws a Wedding” competition.
They made it to the final round, but lost to a couple from California. “Even though we didn’t win, there’s nothing I would change,” Walker says. “We’re ready to focus on what’s important.”
At press time, the couple was planning to wed on Thanksgiving in a private ceremony in North Court’s Perkinson Recital Hall.
Books
How To Work Like a Cat
Fun photos of cats and dogs (mostly cats) illustrate humorous (and dubious) career advice.
“In most jobs, you’re expected to work like a dog—show boundless enthusiasm for any dull and pointless task … act thrilled with any meager reward … play nice with the other dogs … and never question the leader of the pack,” writes Karen Wormald, C’87. “You need to wise up and end this ridiculous canine charade. Cats have it all figured out. They live by their own rules.”
Wormald’s book makes an entertaining contribution to the eternal cat-versus-dog debate.
More alumni books
The EveryWoman’s Guide to Marathoning. Wendy Williams Robbins, W’84, and Alice Vilines. Pendragon Publishing (2006). The authors say their book “will take you safely from sofa to sidewalk.”
Last Year, This Year. Kelly Corrigan, W’89. Circus of Cancer (2006). Corrigan wrote this children’s book from her 4-year-old daughter’s perspective to comfort youngsters whose mothers are being treated for cancer.
Tribal Warfare. Christopher Wright, ’98. The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group (2006). Wright analyzes the Survivor television show as a political allegory for class politics.
Awards
Richmond recognizes volunteers and grads
In late October, the University recognized Brandon Cox, ’99, of Washington, D.C., with its Spinning the Spider Web award for exemplary service as an alumni chapter president.
The University also presented Alec Smith, ’06, of Charlotte, N.C., with the Educational Fundraising Award for leading his senior gift campaign supported by more than 63 percent of his classmates—a new record.
In other awards, the Young Grad Council honored Josh Abramson, ’03, of New York as its Distinguished Young Graduate. Abramson is president of Connected Ventures, a multimedia company based in New York. The University also named Dallas residents Karen and Bryan Perry Volunteers of the Year for chairing the Society of Families. They are the parents of Margaret Elizabeth Perry, ’06.
Weinsteins honored for philanthropy
The Central Virginia Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals honored Carole Weinstein, W’75, G’77 and H’04, and Marcus Weinstein, R’49 and H’02, at its National Philanthropy Day luncheon in November.
During the past 33 years, the Weinstein family has contributed to a number of academic programs, endowed faculty chairs, lectureships and building projects at the University.
