January 17, 2024
The Art of Thinking
Three philosophers challenge their students to become critical thinkers.
The Jepson Update
From the Dean
Students crowded around Robert S. Jepson Jr. during his recent campus visit. When one asked the Jepson School’s visionary benefactor his thoughts on the current state of the school, he replied, “We’re always trying to get better. When you’re the lead pony, you’d better keep running fast!”
An excellent lesson in leadership, and one the Jepson School takes to heart. Indeed, we have been running particularly fast this semester.
Just this past Sunday, 40 alumni led professional development workshops for 67 juniors at our annual Jepson EDGE Institute. Some alums were back on campus Monday for the Jepson Alumni Corps meeting, brainstorming new and better ways to support the school. Still others participated in a Jepson Executive Board of Advisors meeting, also on Monday, where they discussed ongoing efforts to elevate the school’s profile.
Our alumni are making not just our school, but our world, a better place. In this Jepson Update issue, you’ll read about graduates who are transforming their local communities through nonprofit work, defending their country through military service, creating gastronomical delights, and more. Our alumni are running fast!
So too are our faculty, who regularly share their research on campus, at conferences, and with the news media. Their creative teaching ensures our students learn not just facts and figures, but more importantly, how to think critically. Faculty bring in outside experts to increase the breadth and depth of knowledge disseminated within the University and to the general public through programs including the Jepson Leadership Forum, McDowell Institute Lecture Series, and Leader-in-Residence Program.
Our students, too, create and share knowledge. I invite you to join us on April 19 when they present their research at the annual Jepson Research Symposium, always an exciting event! I also invite you to make a gift to the Jepson School during UR Here Giving Day, April 3-4. Your support will ensure we continue to get better as we run this race together.
I am so grateful to be a part of this dynamic, forward-looking community. Please enjoy this issue of the Jepson Update!
Warmest wishes,
Sandra J. Peart
Dean and E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Professor in Leadership Studies
President, Jepson Scholars Foundation
Storytelling that drives community transformation
As a broadcast journalist in Roanoke, Virginia, Kianna Price Marshall spent 15 years interviewing luminaries, including Barack and Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, Martin Luther King III, and John Legend, among others. Today, as vice president of advancement for the United Way of Roanoke Valley, she uses her narrative skills to tell the stories of some of the most vulnerable residents of western Virginia.
“My desire to tell stories of the voiceless has always been part of my heart,” said the 2000 grad.
Chocolate-making alum’s recipe for success
Charlotte Denoyer is living her dream. The 2015 grad and her sister, Carrie, always wanted to work together. So in 2019, they co-founded Cupped Desserts, a gourmet chocolate cup business. Building on their success, the entrepreneurs opened a popular French-American restaurant in a New York City suburb a year ago.
Veteran’s journey led him on a path to assist others
After serving as a platoon leader in an active war zone in Iraq, Sean Bode, ’05, experienced firsthand the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life. He helped many other service members with the transition before ultimately deciding to return to military duty himself. Today he is a lieutenant colonel with the Army’s Special Operations Command South.
Alum brings passion for assisting entrepreneurs to GoDaddy
Coming from a line of small business owners, Greg Efthimiou, ’99, strives to give similar companies a competitive advantage. The vice president of public relations at GoDaddy, the nation’s largest website domain provider, connects entrepreneurs with digital tools to grow their businesses.
Nominate an alum!
Each year during the University of Richmond’s Reunion Weekend, the Jepson School recognizes two or more extraordinary leadership studies graduates whose achievements demonstrate a commitment to the common good through their career or profession, continuing education or scholarship, or community or public service. This year, the Tenth-Year Reunion Recognition Award will go to an outstanding alum from the Class of 2014, and the Alumni Award will go to one or more alums who graduated at least 20 years ago.
Jepson grad scores big in hockey analytics
Once a hockey blogger for the National Hockey League’s Blue Jackets, Alison Lukan is now an on-air analyst for the Seattle Kraken, one of the NHL’s newest expansion teams. As part of the Emmy-winning Roots Sports Network crew, the 1996 Jepson alum dishes out expert pre-game, intermission, and post-game analyses, sprinkling in some data-driven facts to decode the game for viewers.
Seasoned chef: Alum leads Cook’s Illustrated
Fittingly, Dan Souza prepared food while reflecting on his path to becoming editor-in-chief for the beloved America’s Test Kitchen magazine Cook’s Illustrated. On his personal lunch menu: tortilla soup, just right for a crisp fall day in Boston.
As the publication’s top editor, Souza, a 2004 alum, specializes in helping home cooks gain confidence through science-based recipes, unbiased reviews, and trusted guidance.
Jepson Scholars earn master’s degrees at Oxford
Ally Osterberg, ’22, and Benjamin Weiser, ’22, were all smiles on Nov. 4 as they celebrated their graduation from University of Oxford master’s programs. Their journey to Oxford began in spring 2022 when the Jepson School of Leadership Studies named the two graduating University of Richmond seniors Jepson Scholars, an honor that comes with all-expenses-paid scholarships to one-year Oxford master’s programs.
Jepson EDGE Institute
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The 2024 Jepson EDGE Institute, the alumni-led professional development program for leadership studies juniors, was held Feb. 18 in the Jepson Alumni Center. -
Dean Sandra Peart welcomed students and alumni at 10:45 a.m. Then alumni led the group workshop Refining and Practicing Your Elevator Pitch. -
This year, 70 alumni planned and implemented EDGE, including 40 who came to campus to lead workshops and mentor students. -
Sixty-seven leadership studies juniors participated. -
Alumni networked with students and answered their questions during lunch. -
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Students chatted with alumni who worked in fields of interest to the students. -
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After lunch, students rotated through three more workshops created and presented by alumni. A panel of alumni described the many career paths open to Jepson students during the workshop Oh the Places You'll Go! -
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Other alumni led small group discussions in the workshop Leveraging Your Experiences. -
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Students chatted one-on-one with alumni about professional case scenarios during the Working It Out workshop. -
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Alumni caught up with former classmates during the dessert reception at 5 p.m. -
Many thanks to the 70 Jepson School alumni who planned and/or led the 2024 Jepson EDGE Institute! -
Jepson EDGE Institute: Explore, Develop, Gain, Exceed
School Stories
November 2, 2023
Ending homelessness
Jepson School alumni guide interns in understanding the causes of and solutions to homelessness.
February 13, 2024
Come Together
Jepson leader-in-residence Danny TK Avula touts diverse communities as an antidote to combat polarization.
January 31, 2024
Turkish scholar champions democracy
Having experienced a lurch toward autocracy in his native Turkey, visiting international scholar Ekrem Mus advocates for democracy and a just legal system.
October 24, 2023
Aspiring diplomat interns at United Nations
A summer internship with the Serbian delegation to the United Nations was a dream come true for aspiring diplomat Nina Sretenović, ’25.
December 13, 2023
Banking on NYC internships
Three seniors receive return offers from the New York City banks where they interned this summer.
Resources
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