Photography by Jamie Betts
Photography by Jamie Betts
Spider Census
A brief history of a charming tale
The Spider symbolizes not just who we cheer for, but who we are — a university every bit as unique as our beloved Spider symbol. But we don’t really know how we got the name.
Photograph by Andreas Feininger
Taxonomy
There are many ways to be a spider. This trapdoor spider uses its backside to block its burrow entrance. Likewise, there are many ways to be a Spider.
Photographs by Gordon Schmidt and Jamie Betts
Eight eyes
We spotted eight spiders in the campus architecture. Can you name where they are? 
Illustration by Maria Fabrizio
The path we walk together
“The university is great today because of the loyal support of generations of Spiders,” writes President Crutcher.
Photograph courtesy sPower
Say watt?
UR is taking a major step forward in its commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Illustration by Gordon Schmidt
I, Spider
We like to declare who we are. And we are Spiders.
Photograph by Jamie Betts
Inbox
Your magazine, your reactions.
Illustration by Gordon Schmidt
A difficult road
A professor and his students say a proposed road in the Amazon would have a devasting environmental impact.  
WILL* power
A new book shares the impact of WILL* as its 40th anniversary approaches.
Fear not
Some people’s gut reaction to spiders is fear. We asked Kristjen Lundberg, assistant professor of social psychology, to explain why.
Photograph courtesy Richmond Athletics
Test early, test often
Coach Woodson's Spiders are facing a series of tough nonconference opponents as they open the baseball season. “We want to be in every game,” he says. 
Photograph by Jamie Betts
Mexico or bust
Students raised and released migrating butterflies as part of a broader conservation effort. 
Mrs. Wiltshire's worry
Suzanne Prillaman Wiltshire, W’58 and G’67, carries on the legacy of E. Claiborne Robins, R’31, one small gift at a time. The new Robins Society honors loyal givers like her.
Photography by Jamie Betts
Steps forward
A Homecoming Weekend gathering celebrated the 50th anniversary of the enrollment of UR’s first three African-American undergraduate alumni.
Illustrations by Katie McBride
There's only 46,700?
Some of the many varieties of our namesake — all shown with context for size, from the massive Goliath bird-eater to the almost invisible patu digua.
Photograph by Winslow Townson/AP Photo
Coaching a new team
Former Spiders basketball standout Kevin Eastman, R’77, is sharing the leadership lessons he learned in his professional basketball career with corporate and sports groups — and in a new book.
Illustration by Victoria Borges
The toughest issues
Ethics initiatives aim to help students assume positions of ethical understanding and leadership.
Photograph by Gordon Schmidt
Teachable moments
Victoria Oakley, W’82, made it her mission to uplift schoolchildren in the city of Richmond.
An organic cause
Patrick Kacani, B’85, and Matt Felix, R’85, are pictures of good health showing everybody, "Hey, we can do the things we could before we got sick."
Photograph by Jamie Betts
Familiar feeling
A 40-year reunion made Homecoming Weekend even more memorable for former Spider wrestlers.
Spiders in the news
A regularly updated round-up of recent media hits featuring Richmond faculty and staff
Photograph by Gordon Schmidt
Spider love
When you really get to know spiders — the creatures — you’ll find they’re just as interesting and lovable as Richmond alumni.
Photograph by Stephen Salpukas/William & Mary
Political frenemies
A new book by Jaime Settle, ’07, provides a look at how Americans stereotype each other’s political views based on social media postings.
Photograph by Jamie Betts
A fan's fan
For more than 40 years, Jim Croxton, B’68, has been a faithful presence at Richmond football and men’s basketball games.
Bookshelf
A frequently updated round-up of recent books by alumni, faculty, staff, and other Spiders. To submit yours, email us at magazine@richmond.edu.
Photograph by Jamie Betts
A trip down memory lane
Timothy Litzenburg, L’08, visited a civil litigation class at Richmond Law to talk about securing a $289 million judgment for one of his clients.