‘LONG TIME COMING’
VCU advances new dorm project to replace Johnson Hall Spanberger
BRYER HAYWOOD
Contributing Writer
The VCU Board of Visitors gave the green light in November to begin construction on a new residence hall on the 700 block of West Grace Street — adding 1,000 beds for VCU’s growing student body.
VCU has faced housing shortages in recent years following the closure of Johnson Hall in 2021 due to elevated levels of mold.
Student enrollment has been gradually increasing — with the school having welcomed its second largest freshman class to date in August.
Some students living in Rhoads Hall have said they feel crammed in their dorms after VCU converted double rooms into triples, and then those same triples into quads, unbeknownst to them ahead of the fall semester, according to a previous report by The CT.
VCU offered students living in the arrangements a reduced housing rate, and some were placed in overflow housing — lounges converted into dorm rooms.
Construction on the dorm is expected to begin in spring 2026 and be completed in fall 2028. It will include single, double and semi-suite rooms, a dining venue, two retail spaces, offices and a mail center.
The dorm is being built on top of the existing Book Holders building and an office space previously used by Student Financial Services.
VCU housing and facilities management representatives previously told The CT the cost to renovate Johnson Hall would be higher than building a new residence hall. Johnson Hall may be used for administrative purposes instead.
reforming, removing politics from college boards
First-year psychology and criminal justice student Jacob Carlson, who lives in an eight-person suite with one toilet, two showers and no desks, does not think the new residence hall will be enough to accommodate the influx of students.
WEST GRACE DORM
Continued on page 2
ANDREW KERLEY Executive Editor
Instead of donning caps, gowns and cords as they walk the stage, some VCUarts students are planning to bring their “clowniest” garb and silliest instruments to Clown Graduation; a protest against the department not providing its usual artsspecific ceremony this winter.
Clown Graduation — set to be held in the lobby of the Murray N. DePillars Building on Dec. 12 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. — will see the “Clowncil” rise up when “VCU falls short,” as organizer Max Weker put it on the event’s poster.
CLOWN GRADUATION
Continued on page 8
ANDREW KERLEY Executive Editor
Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger criticized incumbent Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin last month for bringing politics into Virginia colleges and universities throughout his term, and suggested reforms to the appointment system for boards of visitors.
“The governor’s role is to appoint people,” Spanberger said in an interview with The Washington Post. “That’s it. That’s how it’s always been, until recently.” Universities in Virginia are governed by boards of visitors made up of 16 members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the General Assembly. The boards hold the power to budget, hire and fire presidents, shape university policy and approve course curricula for their respective schools.
VCU’s board members are currently all appointees of Youngkin. The board’s actions throughout the Republican’s term have included voting to cancel a planned core curriculum requirement to reach students about race and racism, as well as ending Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.
Spanberger has a reputation as a staunch moderate who reached across party lines as a representative in Congress. Now, with Democrats set to hold a legislative trifecta and an expanded majority in the General Assembly come January, Spanberger wants to do away with governors’ involvement in the governance of public universities past the appointment process.
Spanberger told The Post she would not weigh in on board decisions the way Youngkin did, and would largely not interact with board members after appointing them. She also said the incoming Democrat-controlled General Assembly should tighten the timing between the appointment and confirmation of board members.
SPANBERGER Continued on page
Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger speaks at a Monroe Park rally on Nov. 3.
Photo by Burke Loftus.
First-year students Josiah Fife (left) and Preston Ouoham (right) sit in their quad dorm room in Rhoads Hall. They were notified about their living arrangement only weeks before the start of the fall semester. Photo by Andrew Kerley.
Renderings courtesy of VCU.
Stories of the week
national: President Trump pardoned former Hondurian President Juan Orlando Hernández on Monday. Hernández was released from the West Virginia prison, where he was incarcerated for drug trafficking and firearm offenses.
international: Before meeting with a delegation from President Trump Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Kyiv’s European allies Tuesday of sabotaging the U.S. efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine War.
New modular curbs continue pedestrian safety efforts
HECIEL NIEVES BONILLA
Assistant News Editor
Two intersections on both VCU’s Monroe Park and MCV campuses are now fitted with left-turn hardening measures, making good on provisions of the school’s Master Plan as well as a federally funded city initiative to reduce injuries on high-risk streets.
The striped, plastic “modular curbs” by turning lanes are meant to prevent a fully smooth left turn at high speed. They can now be found where Franklin Street meets both Laurel and Belvidere Streets, and where Marshall Street meets 11th and 13th Streets.
Curb extensions were previously installed on streets around the Monroe Park Campus earlier this fall, joining plans from the city to implement better traffic signalling and improve pedestrian infrastructure like sidewalks, according to a previous report by The CT.
The ongoing pedestrian safety efforts coincide with reduced traffic deaths yearon-year in the city, but a persistent greaterthan-average risk of crashes compared to
other cities, according to Axios. VCU’s two city campuses are hotspots of traffic incidents, according to the city’s Vision Zero plan to eliminate traffic deaths.
Andy Boneau, city transportation engineering program manager, stated modular curbs lead to a “70% reduction in the number of vehicle-pedestrian conflicts” where they are installed, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Boneau stated many cities and counties like Arlington, Washington, D.C., New York and Boston have installed left-turn hardening as part of their Vision Zero tactics.
City transportation engineer Michael Sawyer said the modular curbs were developed with VCU from a 2022 pedestrian study, along with curb extensions, leading pedestrian intervals, daylighting (measures to prevent parking within 20–25 feet of an intersection, according to the National Association of City Transportation Officials), and speed tables. They are also part of a planned $1.2 billion transportation investment as part of the five-year Capital Improvement Program.
“The Department will implement 1,700 low cost systemic safety improvements on the city’s high injury street network as part of that investment over the next five years,” Sawyer said. “Left turn hardening is just one more nationally recognized approach to improve safety that has arrived on Richmond Streets.”
Virginia Union University student Keenan Smith finds improvements like the new modular curbs necessary and supports their implementation.
“Richmond, out of all the places in Virginia, I’m not gonna lie — as far as the roads go, as far as the drivers go, probably one of the most hazardous.” His prediction is supported by data: insurance company Allstate found Richmond to have some of the riskiest drivers in America, according to Axios.
Keenan prefers to use one of the many scooters in the city to get around, and hopes that more infrastructure like bike and scooter lanes will be installed to make that easier and safer.
VCU student Evelyn Eichenlaub said she is often concerned about
inattentive or aggressive drivers while walking around campus and the city. She believes setting the line at which vehicles stop farther back at intersections could give more time for both drivers and pedestrians to safely cross. However, she thinks the benefit of the modular curbs may be temporary.
“I think it’s helpful for the most part,” Eichenlaub said. But I think at a certain point if a car, especially Richmond drivers, if they see that nobody’s there they’re gonna hit it either way.
Despite that skepticism, she also supports the city implementing this and similar traffic safety measures.
Incidents between vehicles and pedestrians, cyclists or scooters are common on campus. There were 20 reported incidents within VCU Police’s jurisdiction from Nov. 21 to Nov. 24 — seven more than last year, according to VCU Police spokesperson Jake Burns.
“VCU Police support all infrastructure that slows down traffic through our campuses and provides greater visibility for pedestrians,” Burns said.
“As long as we keep seeing this exponential growth in new students accepted, it’ll do little to nothing to mitigate what we’re seeing now,” Carlson said.
First-year mechanical and nuclear engineering student Josiah Fife is one of many students living in Rhoads Hall who were told weeks before the fall semester that an additional student would be added to their dorm rooms — turning triples into quads.
He said VCU has had an obligation for a long time to create new housing, and pointed at the university’s guaranteed admission policy for students with a high school GPA of 3.5 or above as a possible cause.
“I guess they’re doing what they can,” Fife said.
First-year psychology and criminal justice student Naarah Parker lives in
Brandt Hall, and previously told The CT she disagrees with the plan to build a new residence hall instead of revitalizing Johnson Hall. Now, Parker said she thinks the new dorm is good for the community.
“I think it’s a long time coming,” Parker said. “I’m glad they’re using the money for what students actually need.”
As long as we keep seeing this exponential growth in new students accepted, it’ll do little to nothing to mitigate what we’re seeing now.”
Jacob Carlson, first-year psychology and criminal justice student
Continued from front page
WEST GRACE DORM
Pedestrians walk by new modular curb installations on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus on Dec 1. The new infrastructure is aimed at improving pedestrian safety. Photo by Catt Brito.
VCU makes headway on renovating aging Franklin Street buildings
ANDREW KERLEY Executive Editor
VCU is making progress on renovating aging buildings on Franklin Street with new roofs, restored masonry and other fixes while preserving their historical characteristics. The efforts come after complaints from occupants about mold and other hazards.
Nearly half of all VCU buildings on the Monroe Park Campus are over 100 years old, according to data recently released in a board of visitors presentation.
Founders Hall, located to the left of the VCU sign on Shafer Street, has been under construction since 2023 and is finally set to be completed early next year, according to Finance & Administration communications director Molly Case.
Founders Hall, home to political science, sociology and some College of Humanities and Sciences employees, was built in the mid-1880s as a private residence, and later bought by Richmond Professional Institute — now VCU — in 1925.
Occupants have reported the potential presence of mold in the building, prompting an indoor air quality assessment, according to Case.
The fourth floor is currently blocked off. Multiple faculty members who work in the building recalled water dripping into their offices from the ceiling — something VCU
is remedying with a roof replacement.
Also on the maintenance list is window repairs, as well as fire alarm and chiller replacements.
Before beginning construction, VCU contracted an environmental consulting service to conduct a comprehensive asbestos and lead-based paint inspection on the exterior and attic space of the building, according to Case. They found no health risk to occupants.
Founders Hall has remained open throughout the renovations. Facilities Management has not provided additional space to use during the renovation, though some faculty chose to move to the newlybuilt STEM Building.
VCU started similar construction in October on the Office of the Provost Building — formerly the Lewis Ginter House — located across Shafer Street from Founders Hall. It is set to be completed by 2027.
Scherer Hall, Kearney House and the Williams House have all undergone similar, smaller work to repair things like HVAC systems, uneven floors, roofs and other items.
Facilities Management is beginning to plan for projects to preserve the building envelopes of Bowe House, Kearney House and Crenshaw House — similar to what is being done to Founders Hall and the Provost Building. They expect to begin work in 2026.
Many of the projects are funded by maintenance reserve funds, which are provided by the state of Virginia, according to Case.
Alex Keena, an associate professor of political science, works out of his office on the second floor of Founders Hall. He noted that the conundrum of VCU buying up so much property in the Fan, most recently the building containing
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Ipanema Cafe, goes beyond shrinking the city’s tax base.
Now, VCU has too many properties to maintain, which can be straining under a tight budget, Keena said.
“So it’s kind of part of having the university in an old city, but it's also the strategy of buying, buying, buying like a real estate investment firm, the chickens come home to roost,” Keena said.
Scaffolding covers the side entrance of Founders Hall, one of many century-old buildings on Franklin Street undergoing or set to undergo renovations.
Photo by Andrew Kerley.
Governors typically appoint four members each year — giving them complete control by the end of their four-year terms. Governors announce appointments over the summer between academic years, and the General Assembly gets a chance to confirm or reject them when it returns to the Capitol every January.
Virginia Senate Democrats started a months-long legal battle over the summer after they rejected 22 of Youngkin’s appointees to George Mason University, Virginia Military Institute and the University of Virginia.
Republicans argued a single Senate committee did not have the power to reject appointments without the approval of the full General Assembly — though the courts agreed with the Democrats.
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell previously suggested they were looking into changes to the board appointment process of their own, including requiring that appointees be confirmed by the General Assembly before they assume their seats.
Surovell also mentioned the idea of extending appointees’ terms from four to six years, which would prevent any one governor from achieving full control over the 16-member boards by the end of their term.
Spanberger’s transition team did not respond to multiple requests for comment by this story’s publication date.
First-year psychology graduate student Kaitlyn Lee said whichever political party is in office should not be influencing universities, especially on direct policies instated by boards of visitors.
Lee decried the VCU board’s rejection of the racial literacy requirement in particular — which was worked on for years by students and faculty before being struck down.
Youngkin had only appointed half the board members at the time — though his education secretary requested to view course syllabi for the racial literacy requirement ahead of the vote. Multiple board members expressed confusion on what the requirement actually was on the day it was voted on.
“It should be very much driven by what the school needs, what the students need, what the faculty need,” Lee said. “And that should not necessarily be driven by the person in office.”
Lee said she hopes Spanberger will not go down the same route Youngkin did after she takes office on Jan. 17, and will stay out of schools’ business.
“Hopefully she can stand strong with that, and also not intervene on her side too,” Lee said.
GRTC takes next step on new transfer station
MOLLY MANNING News Editor
The Greater Richmond Transit Company and the City of Richmond have officially begun the search for a developer for their long-awaited new downtown transfer station.
The station will be at the site of the city’s former Public Safety Building, downtown on 10th Street. It will bring together the busiest East-West GRTC routes in the city and will also connect with the new North-South Pulse Bus Rapid Transit line, according to a press release from the city.
The transfer hub will provide increased rider amenities and better operations through the construction of a 10-bay transfer hub and a private, mixed-use overbuild above it with housing, retail and other businesses.
GRTC spokesperson Ashley Potter said the biggest priority for the new transfer station is a better waiting area for riders. The current Downtown Transfer Plaza, the largest transfer station in the network, is between 8th and 9th streets, adjacent to the property where the new hub will be located.
“Now what we have there is working great,” Potter said. “We have some bus stops with coverings over them. However, a lot of people are still left standing out in the elements, whether that be the rain or the snow. This will be covered entirely, so it will offer much more protection from the elements.”
GRTC, along with the City of Richmond’s Economic Development Authority, released a Request for Qualifications for the design and delivery of the new Downtown Transfer Hub in late November. Responses to the RFQ are due at the end of January, and final developer
selection and negotiations are set to be completed by the end of 2026.
After the RFQ, the next step will be a Request for Proposals from the selected developer, Potter said.
“This is a huge project, not just for transit, but for development in that area and in the downtown area and for the city in general,” Potter said. “So we’re super excited to be a part of that and we’re super excited to just make a more accessible and dignified waiting space really for our riders.”
Development teams must be qualified and financially capable to create the public transit facility and the private overbuild, per the RFQ. Public funding for the transit component is secured or advancing toward approval, and there are additional financing tools to support the mixed-use development, according to the press release.
“This project represents the kind of bold, future-focused investment that helps Richmond grow equitably and sustainably,” Mayor Danny Avula said. “By strengthening our transit network and activating a critical downtown site with new housing, retail, and public space, we are setting the stage for a more connected, innovative, and peoplecentered Richmond.”
Richmonders have been able to ride GRTC buses for free since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. GRTC has secured funding to operate fare free through July 2026, but are now seeking alternative funding after their contract with VCU ended last summer, according to a previous report by The CT.
GRTC fundraises through their Transit Access Partnership program, launched in 2023, to continue the “Zero Fare” program — TAP aims to raise $2 million from the community out of the annual $6.8 million it takes to operate fare free, according to GRTC. Much of GRTC’s riders are lowincome, and the buses provide essential transportation to jobs, health care and grocery stores.
Potter said the goal is for Richmonders to be able to count on fare-free rides, and they’ll be able to as long as GRTC continues to identify funding sources moving forward.
“Every year, every day really, we’re working toward these fundraising goals, but just looking at other funding sources within the community to see if we can maintain and sustain that effort,” Potter said.
Miriam Green, a nursing student at Reynolds Community College, said she takes the bus three times a week. She said while it is important to have a space for riders to stay away from the elements, more frequent buses would be a bigger improvement.
“The bus I’m taking now came like every 15 minutes, but a lot of buses are available every 40 minutes, an hour,” Green said. “It’s too much time to wait. I feel like I'm losing too much time that I can use to study or to do other things.”
The VCU Board of Visitors meets at the VCU Main Hospital on Sept. 12.
Photo by Kieran Stevens.
The current Downtown Transfer Plaza between 8th and 9th streets, adjacent to the site of the new transfer station.
Photo by Kieran Stevens. Continued from
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S T U D E N T S T A F F S P O T L I G H T T Y L A L A W R E N C E DEC 2025
Sports
SCOUTING REPORT:
Stat of the week
VCU men’s basketball second-year guard Terrence Hill Jr. scored a career-high 21 points against Virginia Tech to help VCU finish third in the annual Battle 4 Atlantis.
VCU men’s basketball vs. Samford
SAMFORD VCU
JENNY ALLEN Staff Writer
Jadin Booth — Averaging 18.8 points and nearly 35 minutes per-game, the 6-foot-2-inch graduate student guard is a dominant player for the Bulldogs. Booth has accumulated 150 points this season, according to Samford Sports. Booth previously attended Florida Southern College for four years where he missed the 2023-2024 season due to an injury, however he is making up for it this year. His defensive rebound ability will be a huge threat to the Rams. Booth’s nearly perfect free throw percentage will make the difference in a neck-and-neck game. The Rams will have to lock him down on both sides of the court to win.
ANALYSIS:
MARCUS LEARY Staff Writer
Dylan Faulkner — Standing at 6-foot9-inches, the third-year forward is going to give the Rams trouble. Faulkner has scored 110 points on 54% shooting from the field and zero made threes, according to Samford Sports. He also gives the Bulldogs second-chance opportunities, cleaning the offensive glass for a team-high 16 offensive rebounds. The Georgia native has hauled in 29 defensive rebounds to combine for 45 total rebounds, the second most on the team. Faulkner’s rim protection is a defensive threat, as he has posted a teamhigh 15 blocks through eight games played, including a season high of four against the University of Central Arkansas. VCU forwards are going to have to shut him down on offense and box him out if they want to come away with a win.
THAILON WILSON Contributing Writer
Lazar Djokovic — The 6-foot-11-inch third-year forward is a dominant allaround force for the Rams. Djokovic started the season hot against Wagner College, where he dropped 21 points, two blocks and five rebounds against the Seahawks. Prior to VCU, Djokovic played for Xavier University and College of Charleston. The big man averages 12 points and 5.5 rebounds per game for the Black and Gold. His ability to take over games in the paint on offense and defense, as well as his ability to stretch the floor, will be integral for the Rams’ matchup against the Bulldogs.
ALEXIS WASHINGTON
Assistant Sports Editor
Terrence Hill Jr. — This second-year guard’s presence on the court is just what the Rams need. He played 23 games last season averaging 3.4 points, but his perfection at the line set him apart. He went 17-for-17 in free throws, the most made without a miss in VCU singleseason history. At 6-foot-3-inches, Hill Jr. is a dominant force on offense, already averaging 12 points a game this season. He just recently scored a career-high 21 points against Virginia Tech on Nov. 28. If the Bulldogs want a chance at winning, they need to keep Hill Jr. away from the three — he went a perfect 5-for-5 his last match.
The NFL and college football remain divided by league, and party lines
KYLER GILLIAM Staff Writer
There is a political divide in the sport of football, and it is most prevalent between the professional and college levels. The NFL resides in left-leaning cities while college football powerhouses serve small towns harboured in traditional, conservative values.
President Donald Trump attended an NFL game between the Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions on Nov. 9.It was the third appearance of a United States President at an NFL regular-season game, and the first since former president Jimmy Carter in 1978.
Trump appeared on the jumbotron during halftime to swear in members of the military. He received a cascade of boos from the Commanders fans, a fitting response for an area where he lost handily to Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. However, when Trump attended a game between the University of Alabama and Louisiana State
University, he faced no backlash.
John Aughenbaugh, a VCU associate professor of political science who has taught a class about politics in sports, said the differences in response to Trump between the NFL and college football games should not come as a surprise due to the makeup of cities and rural areas.
“In large urban areas, you see a significant percentage of democratic voters,” Aughenbaugh said.
“It wasn’t a very huge shock that he was booed.”
College towns such as Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Athens, Georgia are surrounded by rural areas. The fans that live near the universities and fill the stands on Saturdays align more with the Republican party, according to Aughenbaugh.
Trump’s appearances at college football games are strategic for his brand. During the 2024 election cycle, Trump attended games between the University of South Carolina, Clemson University, Iowa University and Iowa State University. All
are in early primary states.
Young males were a key demographic the Trump campaign targeted in the 2024 election. Along with attending games, Trump engaged with podcasts surrounding college football, a space where younger men frequent, according to Aughenbaugh.
Shows such as “Bussin’ with the Boys” and companies like Barstool Sports did much for Trump with young men. His ventures into these forms of media tapped him into a voter base that is sometimes overlooked.
“The shift in young male voters from voting for Democratic candidates to Republican candidates was anywhere between 6-8%,” Aughenbaugh said. “In a close election or a state where the outcome is closely divided, it could have an impact.”
Trump also connected with and energized rural voters who frequent college football games in small college towns. The Republican Party gained even more control in rural areas, leading Trump to win the popular vote, the first Republican to do so since 2004.
The Trump campaign made worthwhile efforts in engaging with their potential voter base up close and into unengaged demographics, especially in battleground states like Pennsylvania and Michigan.
Democrats have had trouble engaging with their rural voter base, often disregarding them in the grand scheme of their political strategy, according to Aughenbaugh.
“The Democratic party shouldn’t shamelessly try to embrace what these folks hold near and dear, but if you are dismissive of what they value, then don’t be surprised if they don’t look at your party,” Aughenbaugh said.
Political scientists do not know if Republicans’ plan to engage younger voters with sports such as college football will stick in the 2028 election. However, creating a loyal voter base with young, Gen-Z men could be crucial for their future.
If the separation of rural and urban voters continues, so will the separation of NFL fanbases and college football fanbases.
VCU men’s basketball will take on Samford University at the Siegel Center on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. The CT sports staff chose their notable players for the matchup.
Illustration
Lamine Yamal will be one of the greats, if he makes the right choices
ETHAN YORK Staff Writer
The biggest sport in the world tends to bring in the biggest stars. Soccer has shined a light on larger-than-life legends across generations like Pele, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
FC Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal is pegged to be the star of the next generation, already tabbed as one of the best in the world at only 18 years old. However, his young career already stands at a crossroads — while many fans hope he will blossom into the next Messi, he is starting to closely resemble one of soccer’s biggest fallen angels: Neymar Jr.
Yamal follows in Neymar’s footsteps in more ways than one. Both players debuted for Barcelona in their teens and were known for their flashy playstyle, ability to create in front of goal and unparalleled scoring.
Neymar saw lots of success at a young age, and Yamal is no different. He already has an impressive resume, winning two La Liga titles, the 2024 UEFA European Championships with the Spanish National team and being a front runner for this year’s Ballon d’Or award.
Neymar is a former world-class star, whose time in Barcelona was plagued with problems off the field with his partying, relations with various women and lack of
attention to his own training.
The Brazilian was tabbed as the next great star, often included in conversations alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi — some of the best to ever do it. However, his antics and troubling behavior led to his potential never being realized.
These are real troubles for Yamal as well, and ones that need to be addressed immediately; especially at his young age.
It first became noticeable when both players met up this year for the summer holiday back in June. Yamal — who was 17-years-old at the time — was photographed on a speed boat with an OnlyFans model who was 12 years his senior.
Soon after was his infamous 18th birthday party. Yamal hired people with dwarfism for entertainment and paid women he deemed attractive to come celebrate with him, which led to an investigation by the Spanish government, according to CNN.
While Yamal’s actions are certainly condemnable and shouldn’t be treated lightly, it’s also very important to remember he is young and was thrust into a position of immense fame and wealth.
Messi is one athlete to look to as a figurative shoulder angel for Yamal. As arguably the greatest player to ever grace a pitch, Messi is beloved by the world and has faced few controversies in his life, despite
dealing with fame early on in his career.
Yamal needs to use his resources at Barcelona. Finding mentorship in his veteran teammate Raphinha and Barca’s manager Hansi Flick — who has always looked out for his players wellbeing — is the best start.
While Yamal’s actions could be brushed off as harmless irresponsibility, there are still young players who don’t face this type of criticism, and they don’t even carry the weight of wearing Barcelona’s number 10 — a number usually reserved for the very best.
Yamal also has several young teammates he can try and follow, like national teammate Nico Williams and Barcelona teammate Pedri, who is quiet off the pitch but loud on the field, is beloved by fans without controversy and is quickly becoming a legend.
Yamal has a lot to atone for, but if he looks for guidance in the right people, he can move forward.
He has already taken the right steps to changing, as he broke up with his former girlfriend, Argentine rapper Nicki Nicole, who is seven years his senior. The less distractions and more concentration he shows on the field, the better.
Right now, the star boy is at a crossroads, and whichever one he goes down can change his career — and his life — for better or for worse.
Illlustration by Sophie Dellinger.
On This Day
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Spectrum Immersive Monet exhibit in Henrico will remain open until January
FAKEHA NAEEM
Contributing Writer
An immersive art exhibition about the work, life and world of 19th century French painter Claude Monet is open at the Exhibition Hub Art Center in Short Pump until Jan. 18.
Monet: The Immersive Experience offers a unique approach to learn and celebrate the life and work of Monet, one of the most celebrated Impressionist artists in history.
The exhibition lasts 60-90 minutes, with
Monet’s work being presented through virtual reality, a 360 degree digital show, digital displays, sound effects and more.
Interactive elements in the show allow viewers to feel like they are in Monet’s paintings — actually floating in a lake with lilies, walking down a bridge over a pond or seeing an oil-painted sunset in a virtual sky.
The exhibit starts with an introduction of Monet’s life and his love for flowers,
followed by a video explaining the emergence of Impressionism.
Attendees are then led into a room with 20,000 square feet of light, sound and twostory projections of Monet’s paintings, including Water Lily Pond. After, virtual reality headsets are handed out so viewers can learn about the inspiration and history behind eight of Monet’s most iconic artworks.
A more traditional museum set-up is
next, where visitors can browse through more of Monet’s paintings alongside information on his life and work. Last, attendees get the chance to make their own art, which is then projected on the wall in the same style as the rest of the exhibition.
Ticket prices start at $28.90 for adults and $17.90 for children, and can be bought at Feverup.com. The exhibition can be found at the Exhibition Art Hub Center at 12151 W Broad St.
Art students plan ‘clown graduation’ in absence of official ceremony
millions of Americans have demonstrated alongside people wearing cartoon inflatables and king-jester costumes to dismantle any notions of violence.
Weker, a fourth-year painting and printmaking student, called the clowncil to order for the first time in 2024 after VCU implemented a new Campus Expression and Space Utilization Policy that restricted when, where and how students could assemble — including restrictions on amplified noise.
“A bunch of us dressed up as clowns and went to the Compass on like a Thursday, and then just sort-of goofed around and clanged pots together,” Weker said. “Some people had guitars and played a lot of music.”
In some ways, Weker’s strategy mirrors that of the “No Kings” protests — where
“I just like the silliness of it, y’know?” Weker said. “I feel like it gives you a lot of leeway to make fun of them.”
Students previously told The CT they found out about the lack of an arts-specific ceremony not through the school, but from their professors, who told them it was due to budget constraints.
Kelly Kerr, the director of communications for the school of the arts stated the change was an effort to recognize graduates in the context of the full university community at the universitywide December commencement, and not acknowledge the budget.
Nearly 500 people signed a petition
asking VCU to reinstate the ceremony — but to no avail, so far.
While VCU is still allowing students to attend the Spring ceremony, some have complained about time, travel and cost considerations.
When Weker caught wind of the situation, he wanted to find a way to celebrate his fellow students, even though he is not graduating himself until spring 2026.
Weker is not a stranger to making political art. Many might recognize the collection of portraits that occasionally hang in the front windows of the Depillars Building — the faces of journalists killed during the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
“My idea is re-humanization,” Weker said. “Especially with Gaza, and a lot of political situations around the world, I think there's a dehumanizing process
where they turn people into numbers.”
Thirty-five journalists are included in the collection. Weker rounded up 12 other student participants to help draw them. He has also painted signs used in protests around campus.
Weker said VCU has carried an attitude of censorship with its policies that is antithetical to the idea of art school. He encouraged students to speak out with their art — and show up to Clown Graduation.
“In some ways, that’s a goal too, is to have people be loud and boisterous and voice their opinions,” Weker said.
Presley gave his first live performance
seven years. This marked the relaunch of his singing career.
Continued from front page
CLOWN GRADUATION
Images from inside the Immersive Monet Experience, giving viewers the chance to take a walk through his life’s works.
Photos by Fakeha Naeem. (Above) The ‘Clouncil’ protests against
Graduating
photography students say farewell with One Night Stand
RACHEL NICHOLAS
Contributing Writer
All eyes are on the senior VCU photography class as they display sneak peeks of their capstone thesis as part of a one night only show on Dec. 4.
Taking place at The Anderson — a hosting space for VCU students, alumni and special guests — One Night Stand will highlight the hard work and dedication of the past semester, culminating in one final display.
The title of the exhibition was chosen from a long list of names through a vote organized by president Ava Schrag. The show serves not only as the students’ capstone, but also a trial run for their thesis, according to senior artist Tahlia Hightower.
“It’s not mandatory that we use thesis work,” Hightower said. “I know at least most of us definitely want to use it in hopes that all the people who have helped support us for all the things like artist talks
and portfolio reviews will get to see what they’ve been helping.”
Hightower describes her art as a part of her healing process — her featured piece is one that shows her moving through those feelings.
“The piece that I chose feels like my work,” Hightower said. “I’ve been confronting these things more, pushing the boundaries of my work and what I’m doing. So having it nice and framed in a gallery feels like a step towards the finale, like I’m really doing this, not just as an artist, but like a human being that deals with real life.”
Maggie O’Rourke, a participating artist, said her life experiences have had an emotional impact on her work.
“I’m using photography to explore the subconscious mind, specifically how my dreams, nightmares and childhood trauma shape memory and identity,” O’Rourke said.
O’Rourke, who transferred from a small
arts college in Mississippi, cites her sister as the inspiration for her work, deciding to feature her for her final thesis.
“My family is a huge thing in my life,” O’Rourke said. “My little sister has autism, and she is just my whole world. She’s been like my muse since I was just starting photography, so I felt like it was only right to use a picture of her.”
Over the course of four years, roughly 30-something students have grown and bonded through their art, forming a community, said artist Matthew Pappaconstantinou.
“I love everyone here,” Pappaconstaninou said. “We all spend so much time together working on our art and we all became friends pretty much.”
Pappaconstaninou, a lens-based photographer, said his work and photos have grown since the start of his art career as a freshman art foundation student to senior year.
“Every year, my photos improve more and more,” Pappaconstaninou said. “This year, I’m choosing to focus on that change and kind of center my work around it.”
One Night Stand offers viewers an intimate look into the group’s final work while also commemorating the relationships and growth over four years of collaboration. With their last exhibitions approaching, the seniors feel this show stands as a testament to their creative work and the progress they have made, and continue to make, with their art.
More information on the exhibition can be found at arts.vcu.edu/event/one-nightstand-exhibition/.
Holiday Sweater Party to bring cheer, art and community together
CORA PERKINS
Assistant Spectrum Editor
anne’s Visual Art Studio Gallery will bring the holiday season and cheer together again this year with its annual Holiday Sweater Party. Full of glitter, jingle bells and itchy fabric, the event encourages guests to wear their best — or worst — holiday sweaters while enjoying art, refreshments and live music by the band “Aurika.”
Set during First Friday, the fun and festivity-filled evening will be held on Dec. 5, from 6-9 p.m. at anne’s Visual Art Studio Gallery. It comes as part of the gallery’s continuing “Art2Go26!” exhibition — the gallery’s 26th Annual Artistic Gifts Mixed Media Small Works Group Exhibition Fundraiser — that began on Nov. 7 and will run to Feb. 12.
The exhibition showcases original artwork from more than 50 Richmonders.
Hundreds of pieces are on display, with all prices equal to or lower than $299. A majority of the works are below $100. The
gallery is designed to be accessible with its affordable prices and allows buyers to take the artwork home with them immediately.
Proceeds are split evenly between the artists and the gallery to help keep the gallery open.
Anne Hart Chay, the gallery’s owner and founder, said the exhibition gets better and better each year.
“Artists have challenged themselves to create imaginative yet affordable small pieces,” Chay said. “They all know competition is fierce, not just with other options in the show but the ever growing options throughout RVA.”
The competition does not end on the artwork side of things, as the Holiday Sweater Party is true to its name by putting on a silly sweater contest.
“They’ll be random drawings for those dressed to impress and someone will take home our soon to be coveted artfully made trophy,” Chay said.
The exhibition and event are meant to help artists and keep art accessible during
the holiday season. Artists are never charged to submit their art or turned away, Chay said.
“In order to be able to accommodate everyone, the only stipulation was the size, and I decided the holidays were a perfect time for artful giving,” Chay said.
The Holiday Sweater Party is both free and open to the public, giving Richmonders a chance to find unique gifts for the season while supporting local artists and galleries.
Pieces for sale at anne’s Visual Art Gallery being sold for Art To Go.
Photo courtesy of Anne Hart- Chay.
(Above) Works by senior photography majors that are featured in the Anderson’s One Night Stand. Photos courtesy of the photographers.
Features
Theatre students share memories of recently passed professor Preston Spence
MAEVE BAUER Spectrum Editor
Beloved VCUarts theatre assistant professor and technical director Preston Spence passed away on Nov. 6. Since then, students and faculty have been sharing photos and memories of Spence to keep his memory alive.
A memorial service for Spence was held on Nov. 22 by his family with support from the VCUart’s theatre department. Students shared photos of Spence and wrote letters to commemorate his impact as both a professor and mentor.
Spence led his students with a sense of understanding that is not held by most in professional settings. Instead of merely giving orders, he made a point to meet students where they were and develop the fundamentals of their craft.
Spence’s legacy continues to live on at VCU with a group of students commemorating his everything he did for the community.
Dakota Cupples, a third-year scenic design student, transferred to VCU during the spring semester of their first year and recalls Spence being the staff member they met in the staging department.
Spence’s classroom environment was a very welcoming and judgment-free environment, according to Cupples. It was very easy to make mistakes in the shop as Spence did not make students feel stupid — rather, he always helped them understand what they were doing.
“He would just be very patient with everyone, and like every time I would mess something up, I’d go, ‘OK, I messed up,’ and then he was like, ‘So yes, you did,’ but he wouldn’t make me feel bad about it, and he’d get like an exact way to fix it,” Cupples said.
Cupples said learning to not put themselves down after making a mistake is one of the biggest lessons they learned from Spence. He created a very encouraging learning environment with room for everyone to grow.
Cupples shared some of their fondest memories of Spence showing how he cared for his students in a plethora of ways.
“My friend Sydney, she transferred out of the program, and I remember him doing this, even though she left he always made her feel very welcomed in the shop,” Cupples said.
Cupples shared a story of Spence welcoming Sydney back to the shop to use resources for a plant pot that needed some modifications. Spence always encouraged former students to come visit the shop, according to Cupples.
“I always caught myself just like visiting sometimes cause I didn’t have shop,” Cupples said. “I would just sometimes go visit him in the shop at random times because I missed him.”
One memory that has stuck with Cupples was when Spence gifted a handful of students koozies because they kept mixing up each other’s drinks in the shop, showing the way Spence cared for his students, even in small ways.
The last time Cupples saw Spence was for help with a problem they had, and the last thing they said to him was “thank you.”
Spence’s impact on the theatre department is very apparent through the way his students talk about him.
Third-year scenic design student Sayaan Bashir remembers the first time he made Spence laugh.
Bashir said Spence always seemed more serious than he actually was, and never really seemed to get Bashir’s jokes until one time.
“We were all kind of standing around and I made one of the dumbest jokes,” Bashir said. “I swear to God it was honestly just an onomatopoeia. I just said a random noise in response to a sentence he said, and he just started busting out laughing. And that was, I swear to God, one of the first times I’ve ever heard him laugh.”
One of the biggest things Bashir has had to come to terms with is that he has not only lost a friend, mentor and professor, but also everything that made Spence who he was.
“He, at the end of the day, had such a wealth of knowledge and experience that he loved to impart on others and love to teach and love to give,” Bashir said.
Bashir said it is difficult navigating his education after losing such an important pillar of it. Bashir described Spence’s approach to teaching as being very understanding, and he would show you how to do something instead of just telling.
“He’d always check on you, even the smallest things to make sure we were doing it correctly and it was really beautiful,” Bashir said. “Once you did learn from him properly, he began to trust you in ways that you never really would’ve imagined … it was honestly kind of an honor when you finally get to start learning from him that there was like a sense of trust that was built.”
Since his passing, the theatre department has been slowly changing as people transition into new roles, according to Bashir.
“There’s less centralized direction, but everyone is pitching in and doing their part to fill the shoes that Preston left behind,” Bashir said. “At the end of the day, it’s quite a role to try to fulfill.”
Counseling services are available to all students and staff who are grieving. There is a 24-hour hotline available at the number (804) 828-6200, as well as a grief support group and free individual sessions with a counselor, which can be found on VCU’s counseling service page.
Additional services can be found on the RamStrong website.
RVA Spotlight: RVA Illuminates 2025 is this Friday, Dec. 5. Richmonders can enjoy food and music with Mayor Danny Avula at the tree lighting and illumination of the city skyline at 5:59 PM at Kanawha Plaza downtown.
Photos courtesy of VCUarts Department of Theatre. Collage by Quinn Lysek.
Opinions
Quote of the week
“Men are what they are because of what they do. Not what they say.”
— Fredrik Backman, 'A Man Called Ove'
You should care about these upcoming SCOTUS decisions
MAYA SUNDERRAJ
Assistant Opinions Editor
The Supreme Court of the United States recently declined a petition it received from former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis to review the constitutionality of Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark case that federally legalized same-sex marriage.
The petition sparked concern that LGBTQ+ people might lose a wellestablished right to marriage.
The public concern over the protection of same-sex marriage and our rights is extremely valid, but many people didn’t seem to understand one major factor — the petition. By its very nature, it was never likely to be accepted by the court in the first place.
There simply weren’t enough justices interested in overturning Obergefell v. Hodges. Acquiring a majority opinion in favor of overturning would have been a herculean labor not worth the time of even the most conservative justices.
There are many cases that are already before the Supreme Court — or will be next year — that require people’s attention and scrutiny. A whiny Kim Davis acting “under God’s authority” should not distract from ongoing cases that will affect individual life, our government and our greater society in the United States.
The question then remains: What upcoming SCOTUS decisions should we look out for?
John Aughenbaugh is an associate professor of political science, Richmond’s resident SCOTUS expert and the co-host of the “Civil Discourse” podcast. He kindly provided a rundown of important cases on the docket.
VOTING AND VOTING DISTRICTS: LOUISIANA
V.CALLAIS
Aughenbaugh labeled this case as a “big one,” as the decision surrounds the Fourteenth Amendment and its Equal Protection Clause.
This case brings into question the constitutionality of Louisiana’s congressional districts, reviewing whether or not Louisiana’s intentional creation of a second majorityminority congressional district violates the Fourteenth or Fifteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution — basically, if Louisiana’s lawmakers legally and appropriately balanced powers and protections for the people when redistricting the state.
The case was appealed to the Court after many Black voters filed suits complaining about their vote being diluted by Louisiana’s previous redistricting efforts. Louisiana v. Callais will be a landmark case when it comes to voter power and representation, determining the future of the Voting Rights Act and its protections for racial equality. The decision is expected to be announced in early 2026.
PRESIDENTIAL POWER AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW: TRUMP V. SLAUGHTER
This case concerns itself with the amount of power the executive and judicial branch can wield over administrative areas of government — specifically, the limits of hiring and firing power. This case was brought to the Supreme Court as an appeal to suspend a ruling that would require the Trump administration to rehire a Federal Trade Commission employee.
The fired employee was FTC Commissioner Katie Slaughter. She argued the firing was unconstitutional under the Federal Trade Commission Act. While the district court upheld Slaughter’s argument, the case was appealed to and accepted by the Supreme Court, asking the questions: Does the Federal Trade Commission Act violate the separation of powers agreement, and do courts have the power to prevent a removal from public office?
This case, along with the rest, should feel extremely relevant in the wake of President Donald Trump’s massive personnel reductions to federal agencies. The decision is expected to be announced in early 2026.
TRANSGENDER ATHLETES AND TITLE IX: WEST VIRGINIA V.B.P.J.
Due to a West Virginia law that effectively banned transgender women from school athletics, a transgender high school student was unable to participate in school sports. The student is suing the state with the support of the ACLU, arguing the state committed a Title IX constitutional violation.
This case asks two questions: Whether Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prevents a state from consistently designating girls’ and boys’ sports teams based on sex determined at birth, and whether the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment prevents a state from offering separate boys’ and girls’ sports teams based on sex determined at birth. Oral arguments are currently scheduled for Jan. 13.
2ND AMENDMENT/GUN RIGHTS:
WOLFORD V. LOPEZ
This case examines recent changes to Hawaii’s gun laws, which limited where one can publicly carry firearms. The prior legal status quo allowed for the public carrying of firearms unless explicitly prohibited. The law states that public concealed carry is prohibited unless explicitly allowed. The appeal to the Supreme Court argued Second Amendment violations occurred, and is pushing against similar changes to California gun laws.
Wolford v. Lopez asks whether the lower court erred in deciding that Hawaii may presumptively prohibit the carry of handguns by licensed concealed carry permit holders on publicly available property unless the property owner gives express permission to the handgun carrier. The date to hear oral arguments has not yet been scheduled.
These four cases represent major hotbutton topics the U.S. is facing, such as the aggressive actions of the executive branch, transgender rights, gun control and more.
Aughenbaugh pointed out that with the upcoming decisions, we will soon see “if the Court has the stomach to one, once again send a message to the lower courts to rein in their use of injunctions, and two, to rein in the Trump administration.”
I don’t recommend you stay glued for updates about every aspect of every case. There are also cases not mentioned that one could consider to be equally important and relevant.
It is imperative that we keep our eyes and ears open for news on decisions. Staying informed is one of our strongest tools.
Illustration by Bryce Griego.
Group projects are driving me insane
MOLLY CHRISTIANSON
Contributing Writer
Group projects in lieu of a final are not a gift — they are a nuisance.
I like to get things done early and have everything done by Thanksgiving. I don’t enjoy having to organize a time for our group to meet, only for it to ultimately be rescheduled and completed the night it’s due. Maybe I just have horrible luck with my assigned groupmates — they always seem to be people who only work at the last minute — but it genuinely drives me insane.
When my class grade and GPA are at stake, I don’t want to also worry about my group members. I know a lot of our professors already have a lot on their plates during this time of the semester.
However, if they’re planning on assigning a group project, would sending out a Google Form asking students to describe their work style, and then assigning groups based on that, be so hard?
Let us have a say in our work — don’t stick us with randomly-assigned groups of people who we barely know at the tail-end of the semester.
I am a Type A person, so I often assume that things like this are just a me issue — but I know this problem is widespread. I have yet to meet someone who genuinely enjoys randomly-assigned group projects. While I tend to gravitate towards people with a similar work ethic to me, even my procrastinator friends
don’t love group projects.
The pull between Type A and Type B group members often causes unnecessary strain. While a Type A member is assigning tasks — and likely being a bit controlling — a Type B member might be behaving more realistically, conscious of the fact that there are still three weeks to do the project. In most cases, the Type A member will do the project themselves in a fit of rage, and the Type B member will feel one of two ways — guilty or agitated.
My issue with group projects is not rooted in a lack of communication or patience, but it boils down to the timing of the project assignment; the end of the semester. Things tend to go awry when
no one’s schedule aligns, as people have other finals to worry about and we are all burnt out.
I think a final should be an independent assignment, whether that be through a traditional exam or an independent project. Being able to work alone not only allows you to better understand your own scope of knowledge, but also allows you to work at whatever pace best suits you.
In the end, it is up to students to meet in the middle of each other’s preferences and needs, and make their lives easier.
If projects can’t be created in a groupfriendly manner, we shouldn’t be having group projects.
Illustration by Lauren Smith.
CT Seniors say farewell
MAYA SUNDERRAJ
Assistant Opinions Editor
As a kid, I never belonged to the category of people who knew what they wanted to do with their lives. Every time someone asked me what I wished for, I’d give a random answer, unsure about my dreams except for a few characteristics that I had only begun to conceive of: collaboration, creativity and the satisfaction of doing something both lasting and “real” — whatever that meant. Transferring to VCU and moving to Richmond exponentially catalyzed my own personal growth and perspective of the world into something greater, tangible and workable. I had previously
DAIJAH HINMON Staff Writer
I started with a major in Psychology in my freshman year of college. It was one of the choices I’d been given in high school of being the “smartest career path for me.”
Deep down I knew journalism was my true passion, as I was always engaged in local media from a young age. I took the risk and changed my major to digital journalism and have been unbelievably happy ever since.
My time at The Commonwealth Times has been a pleasure and I’m so grateful for the opportunities it provided for me.
I jumped into writing for The CT
written fiction and poetry primarily, but wanted to expand my skills into the real, nonfictional world of culture and politics.
Then opportunity entered in the form of an offer to pitch an article to The CT. I wrote my first piece as a response to what I felt was a major political overreach and signs of growing unrest. It felt cathartic and important and my words were reaching others.
Since then, I formally joined The CT as Assistant Opinions Editor, and in these months, I’ve been able to hone my writing and rhetoric abilities into something that I feel can reach and affect the younger generations, Richmond-ers, the VCU community and beyond.
With that being said, in my final moments at VCU, I would like to thank The CT for being utterly integral in solidifying my understanding of what it means to pursue a dream.
Thank you to my amazing Opinions Editor, Katie Meeker, for all of your leadership, hard work and laughs during long nights, as well as to everyone else on staff. The CT made for a wonderful experience that I will carry with me for a long, long time to come.
SARAH HAGEN Managing Editor
This whole semester, I have hounded staff and contributors about getting their articles in on time. It only makes sense that I didn’t start writing this until it was past due.
It isn’t easy to sum up what the past three-and-a-half years have meant to me in a few hundred words, but I’ll try my best. I joined The CT in my freshman year as a contributing news writer. My very first article was published on the front page, something I flaunted to friends, family and anyone who would listen. It feels like a decade has passed since then.
When I came to VCU, I was an anxious, insecure student who had trouble ordering food at Shafer. I felt like an imposter when I first joined The CT — I used to toss my phone across the room when the Google Doc editing notifications came through, sure my articles were being ripped apart.
KYLER GILLIAM Staff Writer
randomly and was able to pick up on it fairly quickly. It gave me the opportunity to practice and learn without the stress of perfection or a grade. I was able to find routines and styles that I liked, which I was then able to take into my classes.
I believe that writing for the paper gave me so much more out of learning basic writing, interviewing and research skills. I’ve had a wonderful time working with fellow students to provide a fun spectrum section that I hope all enjoyed.
It’s so fun to be published!
I moved hours away from home to Richmond to expand not only my education, but my understanding of the world around me.
Moving so far from home with no friends or family was extremely nervewracking —, however my time at VCU has brought more joy to my life than I could have ever imagined.
Richmond is a beautiful place with beautiful people.
I’ve met some amazing friends during my college journey and I’m so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to do so.
I hope I am able to take the skills I’ve learned and apply them to my future endeavors.
Thank you CT friends, Richmond and VCU!
A few years and a couple of articles later, I still overanalyze and overthink absolutely everything, and I think I always will. But my time at The CT has changed me fundamentally — it has made me a better, more confident writer, journalist, leader and person.
All I wanted out of college was to make some friends, find my passion and discover a place I belonged — simple. I was lucky enough to find all of that and more at The CT. Despite some ridiculously late nights and endless hours of editing, I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world.
To Katharine, Gabi and Hollyann: thank you for being my first editors, my journalist big sisters and boosting my freshman ego more than I deserved. I wouldn’t be here without you.
Thank you to Andrew, Molly, Heciel, Sapphira, Maeve, Cora, Drew, Alexis, Katie, Maya, Zoë, Kieran, Bilan, Ashley, Zach, Mimi, Raya, Quinn and Marty for being the most incredible staff a girl could ask for — you taught me so much and pushed me to be the best I can be. Leaving you all is the worst part about graduating early.
Special thanks go to Andrew. We went from writing our first article together to leading the whole newspaper, with a couple cool side quests on the way. I hope our training slideshows live on forever.
I wouldn’t be who I am today without The CT. I found a place I truly belonged, and I hope every single person who passes through our newsroom feels the same way.
Long live student media and local news. The CT Uber is officially SO.
everyone, and I’ve been at home ever since.
The Commonwealth Times has created lifelong friendships for me that I will always cherish. I will never forget the long nights of just talking until the early hours of the morning, filled with laughter and joy. Every time I walked into an hour-long budget meeting, I knew I would be there for five.
I want to thank my editors for this journey I have been on these past three years — without them, I would not be a national award-winning journalist. I am forever grateful for the opportunity that I was provided to create meaningful work that I am proud of.
I cannot believe an email I sent three years ago would have changed my life this much. I remember my first day walking into the Student Media Center, a nervous sophomore finally breaking out of my shell. I was welcomed with open arms by
I always knew I enjoyed writing, but what made The CT special was who I was writing with. The sports section especially was a group that made my time at VCU all the more special.
The years I spent with The CT will be remembered fondly, and I hope the next writers who follow me have an amazing experience that even tops mine.
With Love, Kyler A.H. Gilliam
#VOB4LIFE
Whether it was watching Marcus try to put out the fires of Kyler and Hayden’s ragebaiting, or watching Jenny carry our intramural basketball team, The Village of Belt to a first-place trophy, these are memories that will stay with me forever.
I want to thank my editors Thai, Drew Thompson and Alexis for all their feedback in editing my articles and helping me improve my journalism skills. I also want to thank Kyler and Jenny for being such great staff writers with me, a title that means so much to us that we’re getting matching tattoos to commemorate it.
The CT was a great opportunity to better myself and grow as a writer but it was also a way to meet all of these great people who became so important to me. As I get closer to graduation and I look back on my time at VCU, it means more to me because I got to spend it with them.
Much love, Ethan D. York
ETHAN YORK Staff Writer
Illustrations by Zoë Luis.
Daijah Hinmon
THINK HARD
By Rafael Musa & Rebecca Goldstein
Los Angeles Times Crossword Puzzle
THINK HARD
Edited by Patti Varol
By Rafael Musa & Rebecca Goldstein
sacred in Maori culture, briefly
81 Fashion house in “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris”
84 Blood component
85 With 96-Down, “My Way” singer
87 Jeans cut
89 Cold open?
90 *Gym amenity filled with opal?
93 GPS heading
95 Blue-green Muppet who plays the guitar
97 Stage name of Park Jae-sang 99 Cookies with a Golden variety 100 *Newspaper figure who works with peridot? 102 Quietly 104 Pooh’s creator 106 Genesis location 107 Soft wool 108 Seller of Poäng chairs
109 Red Muppet who plays the piano
111 Border on 115 *Hockey puck drop spot composed of citrine?
117 Cold-hearted, or an apt description of the answers to the starred clues
120 Plant with a trunk
121 Jet-black
122 Many Wix sites
Complete the grid so each row, column, and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk
60 “Becauseyou’re worthit”brand 61 BasketballHallof Famer Meyers 63 Low points 65 Water way?
attractions
__Tour”
60 “Because you’re worth it” brand 61 Basketball Hall of Famer Meyers
Low points
Adds to
Contents of some inediblecakes
“Roger that”
Synthetic lash strip
Done with 82 “__thenext!” 83 Lion’sshare?
A question of time
Fuel storage option 8 Subject of a miner dispute, maybe
Prized violin, familiarly
“OMG, twins!”
Pod veggies 12 on the side of
around
Water way? 66 Like can’t-miss attractions 68 Taylor Swift’s “The Tour” 69 Guitarlike instrument 70 Conjunction used in logic
Adds to
Contents of some inedible cakes 78 “Roger that”
Eco or sport, in some cars
Synthetic lash strip 80 Done with 82 “__ the next!” 83 Lion’s share?
Ursa Minor star 92 Askfordetails about a breakup, say 94 Swimwear in Fire IslandPines,often
85 Enemy 86 Check-in items
See 85-Across
88 Eco or sport, in some cars
Franchise with a Crème Brûlée Latte
Name dropped?
Expo presentations, perhaps
Trivia fodder
91 Ursa Minor star 92 Ask for details about a breakup, say 94 Swimwear in Fire Island Pines, often
96 See 85-Across
“The Silence of the __”
97 Franchise with a Crème Brûlée Latte
98 Name dropped?
Chair supports 112 Luckybreak
that requires little thought 39 “I should get going” 41 For the time
Compañeras
Time to roll the dice, maybe
Elevator innovator
101 Expo presentations, perhaps
feature on some email platforms
102 Trivia fodder 103 Uno, due, 105 “The Silence of the __”
“Barefoot Contessa” host Garten
108 Nasty 110 Chair supports 112 Lucky break 113 __ send: handy feature on some email platforms 114 Ump’sfollowing?
116 “Barefoot Contessa” host Garten 118 __plancha 119 Quickmoment
Los Angeles Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle
Edited by Patti Varol
Los Angeles Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle
Edited by Patti Varol
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, please visit sudoku.org.uk Solution to Tuesday’s puzzle
