April 28, 2023
Presidential Leadership
Students confront the complexities of presidential leadership during a class field trip to Monticello.
The Jepson Update
From the Dean
Two thousand alumni in 30 years. What a wonderful milestone to reach as we wrap up our 30th-anniversary year! We salute our 2,004 leadership studies alumni, who lead and contribute to their organizations and communities around the world.
Since our inaugural Class of 1994 comprising 38 graduates, interest in leadership studies has continued to grow. The 98 graduates in our Class of 2023 include seven Jepson Scholars heading to University of Oxford graduate programs, a Fulbright Scholar, a Critical Language Scholar, and numerous recipients of University awards—all recognized May 7 at Commencement. We are #LeadingTheWay!
In addition to Commencement, the Jepson Research Symposium was a highlight of the spring semester. It featured the research of 22 students, including that of seven seniors who, with the support of faculty mentors, undertook honors theses in topics ranging from NBA and NFL athletes’ activism, to gender-based violence, to the impact of U.S. political polarization on science.
This kind of robust student research is possible, in part, thanks to your generosity. Nowhere was that generosity more evident than on April 4-5 during the University’s annual UR Here Giving Day. The Jepson School raised $135,060—money that supports student research and other kinds of experiential learning, such as Dr. Al Goethals’ Presidential Leadership class trip to Monticello in April.
Speaking of Dr. Goethals, we celebrated his many contributions to the School at his bittersweet retirement party earlier this month. We also bid a fond adieu to Dr. Kenneth Ruscio, former dean of the School and visiting distinguished lecturer for the past few years. Dr. Ruscio gave the keynote remarks at Finale, our Commencement weekend celebration of our graduating seniors.
As this academic year draws to a close, we reflect with gratitude on the many people—faculty, students, staff, parents, alumni, and friends—who have contributed to the School’s flourishing during the past 30 years, even as we eagerly anticipate the School’s next 30 years.
I look forward to seeing many of you June 2-4 at Reunion Weekend. In the meantime, please watch your email and text messages for a Jepson alumni survey, and enjoy this issue of the Jepson Update!
Warmest regards,
Sandra J. Peart
Dean and E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Professor in Leadership Studies
President, Jepson Scholars Foundation
Innovating to meet the needs of a developing nation
From her perch atop the world in the Himalayan Mountains, Christie Getman, ’97, is ideally positioned to witness extreme weather. As the Nepal country director of the humanitarian nongovernmental organization Mercy Corps, she also is ideally positioned to do something about it.
Seven Jepson School graduates awarded scholarships to study at Oxford
Seven recent University of Richmond leadership studies graduates are heading to the University of Oxford to pursue one-year master’s degree programs through the Jepson Scholars Program. The Jepson Scholars Foundation, in collaboration with the Jepson School of Leadership Studies, awarded the 2023 grads full scholarships covering tuition, room and board, and fees.
Designing pro bono initiatives to access legal services
In order to provide pro bono legal services to underserved communities and develop innovative solutions to systemic social injustices, the Western New England School of Law in Springfield, Massachusetts, launched its Center for Social Justice in spring 2019. Ariel Rothstein Clemmer, ’05, who became the center’s inaugural director a year later, leads its efforts to do just that.
Beloved professor and presidential leadership scholar retires
Social psychologist George R. (Al) Goethals joined the Jepson School of Leadership Studies faculty in 2006 as the E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Professor in Leadership Studies. This month, the beloved professor and presidential leadership scholar retired. In this Q&A, he reflects on his 53-year career in the academy.
Students dive deep into leadership issues through honors research
Faculty-mentored student research has long been a hallmark of a Jepson School education. This year’s annual Jepson Research Symposium, held April 14, featured research by 22 students, including seven who completed honors theses. Honors theses topics ranged from an analysis of Major League Baseball’s best managers to the impact of U.S. political polarization on scientific inquiry.
Thanks for showing #URHere for Jepson!
Many thanks to everyone who donated to the Jepson School during the University of Richmond’s fourth annual UR Here Giving Day, a 36-hour fundraising campaign held April 4-5. Generous matching gifts from the School’s Executive Board of Advisors got the ball rolling. In all, 181 donors—an increase of 15 percent over the previous year—gave $135,060 to the School during Giving Day. Despite our smaller size relative to the University’s other four schools, we finished second only to the School of Law in dollars raised. That’s leadership for you!
The funds raised support student research; experiential education; and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives at the School. Thank you for ensuring that the Jepson School continues to deliver a top-tier education to our students!
School Stories
May 24, 2023
Recent University of Richmond Graduate Awarded Critical Language Scholarship to Study in Indonesia
Sarah Schalkoff, who graduated from the University of Richmond on May 7, was awarded a Critical Language Scholarship to study Bahasa Indonesia this summer.
May 12, 2023
Student Experience
Two 2023 grads receive prestigious Fulbright awards
The new alums are heading to Portugal and Spain to work and study.
April 20, 2023
Green Spiders promote sustainability
Environmentally savvy seniors Miriam Gilman and Frank Hanson advocate for a more sustainable future.
April 19, 2023
Ben Mathios, '23
A liberal arts curriculum rooted in the Great Books is personally enriching and professionally advantageous.
May 1, 2023
University of Richmond Student Honored as Newman Civic Fellow
UR junior Anum Merchant, of Bengaluru, India, has been announced as a 2023 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact, a national coalition of more than 1,000 colleges and universities.
Contact Us
Jepson School of Leadership Studies
221 Richmond Way
University of Richmond, VA 23173
General Information:
Phone: (804) 289-8008
Fax: (804) 287-6062
Email: jepson@richmond.edu