University of Richmond Magazine

A group of dancers in white dresses on a black backdrop.

A collage centering the number 25, ringed by photos of various Spider athletes from sports including women's soccer, men's lacrosse, women's basketball, women's swimming, men's golf, and men's basketball.

Athletics

25 great Spider moments in the Atlantic 10

We look back on some favorite highlights as the University of Richmond celebrates its 25th year in the A-10.

A photo of Ibrahim Alkaseer on campus at the gazebo with Westhampton Lake, and the commons in the background.

Academic Excellence

Ibrahim Alkaseer, ’26, is Richmond’s newest Rhodes Scholar. His academic interest in migration is deeply interwoven with his personal story.

A grey hairless cat on a black background.

Computer Science

AI’s vision problem

AI doesn’t ‘see’ the way that you do, and that can be a problem when it categorizes objects and scenes, writes University of Richmond professor Arryn Robbins.

Spiders Near and Far

Kobie Turner, ’22, speaking at commencement

Perspective

‘You are enough’

NFL star Kobie Turner, ’22, returned to campus in May to give the commencement address for 2026 graduates. Here's a bit of what he said and video of his full address.

Entrepreneurship

Spider-run B&B has the Loch Ness monster as a neighbor

Near Loch Ness, Peggy Dykhuizen Robertson, B’84, trades retirement for running a cozy Scottish B&B, welcoming global travelers during her lively second act.

A photo of Ben Nguyen. He is smiling and holding one hand up to chin in a pose suggesting that he is thinking.

This/That

Decision web

Morning person or night owl? Spider red or Spider blue? Duc (Ben) Nguyen, ’26, — the student speaker at this year’s commencement — makes the tough choices.

Bill Ridenour, R’79, and Gray Bigler, ’08 stand together on a padel court.

Business

Have you played padel yet?

Padel is a fast-growing global racket sport thanks in part to Richmond alumni Bill Ridenour, R’79, and Gary Bigler, ’08, whose business builds padel courts.

“If you’re scared of doing it, that’s probably a good sign you should do it.”

—Allan Young, ’93

Eye

Around Campus

Students and professor at outdoor class near Jepson Hall

Forum

This is our time

The moment is right to double down on Richmond’s strengths and take our university to even greater heights, writes Kevin F. Hallock, UR’s president. “I’m excited. I hope you are too.”

A red flood of color with a text overlay. The text is low contrast and is used to create a texture, and is an excerpt from a letter. The visible copy reads: “Being a Spider means being part of a network of people who are passionate about making a difference — and that’s something I’m proud to represent.” “It...

Postscript

‘Being a Richmond Spider means everything to me’

Five things we learned reading notes from scholarship recipients to scholarship donors

An illustration depicting a person, surrounded by eyes. There are a series of smartphones showing photos of the person, framed by meme-like captions. In each successive image, the person becomes more and more cartoonish and flattened in their depiction.

Culture

Our memes, ourselves

For better and worse, a cultural joke can redefine how the real person at its center is seen.

Philanthropy

$6 million gift will support Wilton Center

Carole and Marcus Weinstein made the gift to “help create a welcoming environment where students from all backgrounds and faith traditions can gather, reflect, learn, and build community together.”

“We have so much in common becasue we’re human.”

—Kavitha Cardoza

Sports

Women’s Basketball

The Kresge era begins

Alisa Kresge became the 18th head coach of Spider women’s basketball in April. She’s defensive-minded. “When you’re in somebody’s head,” she says, “it usually changes the game.”

Student-athletes, professor, and athletics staff member, in Santiago, Chile

Global Engagement

Spiders in Chile

Eight student-athletes made a weeklong visit to the country in May. Here’s a look at what they saw.

Spider Questionnaire

An illustrated portrait of alumni Kadeem Fyffe, Cynthia Paces, Katie Losey, Gene DeSouza, Katie Fishman, Drew Poffel, and Gwynne McCue with predominately blue tones.

Spider Questionnaire

What's one thing you've learned not to worry about?

Seven Spiders offer their hard-won advice for focusing on what's really important with their answers to one question on the Spider Questionnaire.

A photo of Gene de Souza with a microphone.

Spider Questionnaire

‘Time is precious and should not be wasted’

Gene De Souza, ’97, spends his time immersed in music, which he calls a universal language that brings people together. Here, he answers the Spider Questionnaire.

Katie Fishman stands on the Great Wall of China with the wall seen behind her.

Spider Questionnaire

‘Do what feels right’

Katie Fishman, ’09, has traveled the world since graduation. She talks about trusting her instincts and avoiding the trap of doing “what society says you are ‘supposed’ to do.”

Spider Questionnaire

‘No one else can live out my goals for me’

Kadeem Alphanso Fyffe, ’13, talks about the power of self-belief, learning not to worry about others’ opinions, and his commitment to living boldly and authentically.

Faculty spotlight

A photo of Wendy Perdue in her office. She is smiling at the camera and wearing a blue jacket.

Richmond Law Magazine

Wendy Perdue’s final call

After 15 years leading Richmond Law, Wendy Perdue is stepping down as dean. She leaves a legacy of putting students at the forefront of every decision.

A portrait of professor Janelle Peifer in her office. She is a young black woman with long braids wearing a green and black dress, and she is sitting in a chair, smiling at the camera.

Curriculum Vitae

In session

Psychology professor Janelle Peifer unpacks identity, trauma, and personal development in the classroom and in scholarship for the public.

A photo of professor Joe Hoyle. He is smiling at the camera and standing in his office, which is plastered with posters, postcards, art, and other mementos.

Curriculum Vitae

The professor who merges Socrates and spreadsheets

Accounting professor Joe Hoyle has spent decades refining a teaching style that’s both demanding and deeply supportive.

Voices

Hot seat: A Q&A with the Richmond professor whose statue melted in the D.C. heat

Art professor Sandy Williams IV talks about the incredible melting Lincoln statue, the memes and discussions it sparked, and the role of art.

Editor’s picks

Athletics

The art of the crossover

Richmond soccer player Marisa Snee steps off the pitch to test her skills in sports where a foot (almost) never touches a ball.

Club sports players cheer during a game.

‘Spiders on three!’

Weeks before graduation, senior Sophia Demerath left it all on the field with UR’s club soccer team as it took on VCU in an annual competitionbetween the schools' sport clubs.

Civic Dialogue

I knocked on hundreds of doors last summer. Here’s what I learned.

Interning with a campaign gave senior Sophia Demerath practical experience with listening and finding common ground.

A man wearing a hat kisses the Stanley Cup

Champions

The view from the top

In the summer of 2024, three Spiders reached the pinnacle of success in professional sports. They describe the experience and how UR helped them along the way.

Spider expertise

Expert

How to thrive with adult ADHD

Psychology professor Laura Knouse, author of the new book Living Well with Adult ADHD, offers five practical tips backed by science.

Katie Fishman stands at the top of an abandoned Ski jump in Bosnia.

Lives Of Purpose

What’s the best way to travel solo?

Katie Fishman, ’09, has been to more than 100 countries. Here’s her advice for how to travel well when you’re on your own.

Tyler Rigot, GC’25, celebrating with teammates at the end of a Banana Ball game in Richmond

Baseball

How to think like a Banana Ball player

After Tyler Rigot, GC’25, finished his final athletic season, he jumped to playing in the Banana Ball league, a fast-paced and antic-filled twist on baseball.

Maggie Morganfield Parker, ’05, in a playroom for children

Expert

How to help children heal and grow through playtime

Professor and certified play therapist Maggie Morganfield Parker, ’05, offers tips for designing and participating in good play with children.

President’s columns

A guest speaker leads a discussion at the McDowell Institute lecture series

Forum

Modeling constructive dialogue

President Hallock writes that the University of Richmond is recognized as a place that values and supports the exchange of ideas.

Classroom of students listening to lecture with laptops open

Forum

AI is on our minds at UR

President Hallock reflects on efforts across campus to understand and teach the AI-related skills and competencies Spiders should have when they graduate.

Students in biology lab with professor John Peters

Forum

What do Spiders do all summer?

The summer months are very different from the rest — and just as busy, writes President Kevin F. Hallock.

Students studying outside on the grass with colorful flowers in foreground

Forum

Economics of financial aid

Investments in financial aid are key to continuing the university’s upward trajectory, writes Kevin F. Hallock, the university’s president.

More to Explore

Spider Pride

When NFL star Kobie Turner, ’22, returned to Richmond to give the 2026 commencement address, the L.A. Rams tagged along and produced this great video. It documents his experience, his Richmond roots, and his close connection to music professor Jennifer Cable.