The Jepson Update
From the Dean
We have much to celebrate at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies during this, our 30th anniversary, year. And celebrate we did on Sept. 17, with a marvelous anniversary gala on Stern Plaza, reminiscent of the School’s dedication ceremony on the same spot on Sept. 9, 1992. School benefactor and University of Richmond alumnus Robert Jepson thanked all those who worked to make his vision for the nation’s first undergraduate school of leadership studies a reality. He challenged us to continue innovating to ensure the Jepson School remains the leader in leadership studies.
So what, exactly, is our special sauce? Our people.
Our faculty make meaningful, substantive contributions to leadership studies. Last month, Dr. George (Al) Goethals received the International Leadership Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the sixth Jepson-affiliated faculty member to do so. In August, Dr. Terry Price received University of Richmond’s Distinguished Scholarship Award.
Our illustrious alumni, some of whom are featured in our ongoing profile-raising initiative, elevate the value of a leadership studies degree. They regularly give back to the School through their generous donations and by serving on the Jepson Alumni Corps and the Executive Board of Advisors, speaking to our internship classes, and volunteering for the Jepson EDGE Institute. At our anniversary celebration, I was thrilled to present awards to four such alumni for their professional and service contributions and to reunite with six members of our inaugural Class of 1994, pictured above with me, Bob and Alice Jepson, and founding faculty members Joanne Ciulla and Gill Hickman. Thank you, all!
Our students represent the future of the School and leadership. They will take what they learn here into the world to benefit our democracy, workplaces, and communities.
I hope to see many of you at Homecoming this weekend or at one of our upcoming programs. In the meantime, enjoy reading this issue of the Jepson Update. We are #LeadingTheWay!
Best wishes,
Sandra J. Peart
Dean and E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Professor in Leadership Studies
President, Jepson Scholars Foundation
Leading the way for 30 years
The Jepson School celebrated its 30th anniversary with a gala on Sept. 17. Faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and friends joined with University of Richmond dignitaries and visionary benefactors Robert and Alice Jepson to reflect on the School’s first 30 years and anticipate its future.
Demystifying insurance for the mergers-and-acquisitions sector
Acquiring and growing a business can be risky. That’s where Luke Parsons, ’10, comes in. The partner and leader of the Private Equity Practice Group at Woodruff Sawyer, one of the largest privately held insurance brokerage firms in the U.S., assists private equity firms during the due diligence process prior to and after a merger or acquisition.
JEPSON Talks
JEPSON Talks, sponsored by the Jepson Alumni Corps, is an online series that showcases past and present Jepson faculty sharing their research and expertise. Please join us at 7 p.m. EST, Monday, Nov. 7, for "Reflections from the Deans," featuring Drs. Sandra J. Peart and Kenneth P. Ruscio. Join us again at 7 p.m. EST, Monday, Dec. 5, for a discussion about urban American history and the policies that shape how and where we live, featuring associate professor of leadership studies Julian Maxwell Hayter.
Jepson alumnae honored at Reunion Weekend
Communicate. Strategize. Train and develop leaders. Leadership studies alumnae Natasha Levanti, ’12, and Kate Materna Rezabek, ’02, excel in these skills in both their professional and volunteer work. It is why the Jepson School of Leadership Studies honored them with the Tenth-Year Reunion Recognition Award and the Alumni Award, respectively, on June 4, during University of Richmond’s Reunion Weekend.
Volunteer with the Jepson EDGE Institute
Alumni plan and lead the annual Jepson EDGE Institute, a daylong professional development program for Jepson juniors. If you would like to volunteer with the planning and/or implementation of EDGE (scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023) or with other student and alumni programming during the 2022-23 academic year, the Jepson Alumni Corps would like to hear from you!
Elevating the voices of Afghan women
Girls want an education. This simple message on her LinkedIn cover photo is deeply personal to Lina Tori Jan, ’20. The Afghan native vividly remembers the thrill of being able to attend school in Kabul after the 2001 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan toppled the Taliban regime when she was six years old. Now she fights for her countrywomen’s right to an education.
Jepson Leadership Forum
The 2022-23 Jepson Leadership Forum focuses on past and present failures in leadership and followership by shining a spotlight on times where we could – and should – have done better. Please join us in person or virtually for the three remaining presentations: Nov. 30, "The U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan," presented by U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton; Jan. 19, "Climate Change," presented by Roosevelt Institute director of climate policy Rhiana Gunn-Wright; and Feb. 15, "The U.S. COVID-19 Response," presented by George Mason University economist Alex Tabarrok.
Get your Jepson swag today!
You asked, and we heard you. Jepson swag is now available for purchase online. Buy some for yourself and for your Jepson friends and family members. Nothing says Jepson love like Jepson swag!
School Stories
Psychologist shares insights on human behavior and reflects on his time in academia
The University of Richmond recognizes Dr. Terry Price with its Distinguished Scholarship Award
Senior sharpens her writing chops during an internship with the Richmond Times-Dispatch
A Virginia Governor’s Fellowship gives senior an up-close look at state government
A NASCAR-focused internship with FOX Sports yields experience in news production
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