University of Richmond Magazine

A photo of professor Jonathan Richardson and Natural Areas Steward Joseph Day collecting water samples in Little Westham Creek on the University of Richmond campus. The are wearing waders and kneeling in the water with a sample bottle. The creek surrounded with summer foliage.

Rachel Pierce Newell, W'72, standing in front of Reims Cathedral in France.

Spider Questionnaire

For Rachel Pierce Newell, W’72, shares why she hopes the future holds more kindness, integrity, and grace.

Two students sit in Adirondack chairs by the lake working on laptops.

Well-being

Getting outside despite your 9-to-5 job can improve your mental health

Here’s how to spend time in nature during and around working hours, according to a professor who studies urban landscapes.

A photo of a large sailboat on the ocean.

LIVES OF PURPOSE

How the South Pacific helped a Spider alum find new direction

An all-women research voyage to study plastics polluting the ocean became a catalyst for personal possibility for 2012 alum Lauren Hokenson.

Spiders Near and Far

Back Then

The alum inside the 1990s “Spidey” mascot suit

Once Spidey, always Spidey: a Richmond dad relives sweaty mascot glory days dodging overzealous rivals, and passes the weird, wonderful hype-man torch to his son.

Kobie Turner, ’22, speaking at commencement

Perspective

‘You are enough’ NFL star and Richmond Spider Kobie Turner tells graduates

The 2022 graduate returned to campus in May to give the commencement address for 2026 graduates. Here's a bit of what he said, plus video of his full address.

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

Academic Excellence

Home, in theory and practice

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

Spider Questionnaire

Richmond alum in her 70s turned ‘someday’ into ‘today’

From Kilimanjaro to the Arctic Ocean, Laura Lee Chandler, W’74, embraces life with optimism, curiosity, and a simple philosophy: Say yes to adventure.

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

—Allan Young, ’93

Eye

Around Campus

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

Arts

More than a performance

Extended time with guest artists offers students a meaningful opportunity for engagement with the arts, creativity, and possibility.

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.

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

When memes become more powerful than the people in them

For better and worse, a cultural joke can redefine how the real person at its center is seen, says Richmond’s Ben Pettis, a professor of rhetoric and communication studies.

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 because we’re human.”

—Kavitha Cardoza

Sports

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.

Women’s Basketball

The Kresge era begins at the University of Richmond

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.”

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.

Student Life

‘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.

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.