Feature Stories

Jacquelin and Scott Aronson are the parents of Jack, a Richmond senior, and Jayne, a junior. They have found many ways to connect with the University and other Spider families while watching their children establish communities of their own.

For junior Olena Naumenko, studying economics has always been about more than numbers. It is a way to better understand people, policy, and the forces shaping communities around the world.

Writing can take many forms across the University — from scholarly articles and book proposals to grant applications, community-engaged research, and pieces written for public audiences. Whatever you are working on, offices across campus offer resources and expertise to help.

The students led the decision to purchase the Osi Audu painting during a trip to New York City, where they got an insider’s look at the professional art world.

After graduating summa cum laude from the School of Professional and Continuing Studies in 2022, Ariyan “Ari” Bakhti-Suroosh turned a classroom revelation into a career in penetration testing.

This month's Sustainability Champion is Mariah Charlton, a 2020 graduate of the University of Richmond who currently works as a Sustainable Buildings Project Manager at JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle) in Columbia, South Carolina. In our conversation, Mariah shared how she got her start in the growing field of sustainable real estate, what her work looks like today, and her advice for students interested in sustainability careers. 

Here’s a look at some of 2026’s best photos from the annual rituals that mark the start of the fall semester. 

Saif Mehkari was named inaugural recipient of a faculty fellowship remembering John Benton, a 1973 Robins School alum.