Point, counterpoint: The art of civil discourse
McDowell Student Fellows bond over their love of debating ethics, law, and politics.
The Jepson Update
From the Dean
Dear Jepson Alumni and Friends,
Our fall semester is in full swing! Lively discussions emanate from classrooms, and students occupy every nook and cranny of Jepson Hall as they study and collaborate on group projects.
The semester got off to a great start with the recognition of three Jepson faculty at Colloquy, the opening ceremony of the University’s academic year: David Wilkins received the Distinguished Educator Award; Christopher von Rueden, the Distinguished Scholarship Award; and Tom Shields, the Distinguished Faculty Service Award. Last week, the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement bestowed its Community-Engaged Teaching Award on Julian Hayter.
Equally as exciting, on Aug. 26 I announced the Cramer Family Faculty Fellowship and inaugural faculty fellow Christopher von Rueden. Made possible by the generosity of a family that has long championed the Jepson School, the fellowship supports faculty research.
This summer, over 60 Jepson seniors observed and practiced leadership during their credit-bearing internships in the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors. Half received Burrus Fellowships to support their work. This week and last during our internship class, these seniors heard from 13 alumni who shared tips on the job recruitment and interviewing process and on applying to graduate school.
Our faculty spent the summer conducting research and presenting it at national and international conferences. In June, the Jepson and Robins Schools co-hosted the History of Economics Society’s annual meeting, attended by 100 economists from 17 countries.
Football great Desmond Howard kicked off this year’s Jepson Leadership Forum on Sept. 10 with a discussion of sports leadership. Political philosopher Diana Schaub gave a fascinating talk on Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address two nights ago at the year’s first McDowell Institute public lecture.
This is only the beginning of what promises to be an exhilarating year at the Jepson School! Please join us for upcoming campus events, including Oct. 17 – 19 for Homecoming and Feb. 15 for EDGE, the school’s alumni-led professional development program for juniors. In the meantime, enjoy this issue of the Jepson Update, and thank you for the many ways you contribute to the Jepson School!
Warmest wishes,
Sandra Peart
Dean and E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Professor in Leadership Studies
President, Jepson Scholars Foundation
Cooking up sustainable solutions in Rwanda
BioMassters chief operating officer Yasmine Karam, ’17, works on the front lines of international development, providing more affordable, healthier, and greener cooking solutions to Rwandans.
National security is front and center for UR grad
Whether negotiating government contracts, conducting ethics investigations, or prioritizing cybersecurity, Greg Hayken, ’98, focuses on national security as vice president and deputy general counsel at Fortune 500 firm CACI International.
Jepson Scholars go global at University of Oxford
Eight Class of 2025 graduates headed to Oxford this fall as Jepson Scholars. They received all-expenses-paid scholarships to pursue master’s degrees in programs as diverse as Health Service Improvement and Evaluation, Refugee and Forced Migration Studies, Public Policy, and more.
Cramer Family Faculty Fellowship supports faculty research
Cramer family members — including alums Alex and Melissa Cramer, ’11, and Molly Cramer, ’14, and parents David and Laura Cramer — are long-time supporters of the Jepson School. With the launch of the Cramer Family Faculty Fellowship, they committed to supporting Jepson faculty research, including that of inaugural fellowship recipient Dr. Christopher von Rueden.
Richmond alum is expanding digital humanities scholarship at Elon University
During her second semester on campus, Amanda Laury Kleintop, ’11, became the first undergraduate student to work in the University of Richmond’s nascent Digital Scholarship Lab. Today, she is an assistant professor of history at Elon University in North Carolina, where she is expanding digital humanities scholarship.
Jepson Leadership Forum and McDowell Institute public lectures
Your leadership studies education need not end when you graduate from the Jepson School. To gain new insights on leadership issues, we invite you to join us in person or, when available, via live stream for the Jepson Leadership Forum and the McDowell Institute public lectures. This year’s forum focuses on leadership in sports. The remaining McDowell Institute lectures will consider free speech in higher education and the role of religion in an increasingly secular world.
Homecoming: Oct. 17–19
Connect with former classmates at pre-game events and tailgates and cheer on Spiders Football during Homecoming, Oct. 17–19, 2025! We hope to see many of you back on campus.
School Stories
The pursuit of happiness
The Jepson School’s inaugural lecture in leadership and the humanities examines the Founding Fathers’ understanding of happiness.
Weighing the scales of justice
Presidential Scholars explore America’s commitment to justice through internships with the Virginia Poverty Law Center and the Legal Aid Society.
Prioritizing the public in public service
An internship in a congressional district office gives senior an appreciation for the complexities of governing.
A barrier island serves as a living, breathing classroom
An internship with Assateague Island National Seashore taps into senior’s interest in hands-on learning.
UR Now: University News
UR hosts the 52nd History of Economics Society meeting
About 100 scholars from around the world participated in a four-day conference to explore new insights and learn from the past.
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