The Cavalier Daily
Serving the University Community Since 1890

From the archives: Oct. 21 – Oct. 27

This week: Brutus the St. Bernard, more Rotunda restorations, and the varied history of the Lawn

1950s
October 24, 1952
“Is the UN Worth Our Continued Support”
By William M. Jeffries


Seven years after its creation, writer William M. Jeffries analyzes the United Nations and its benefits and shortcomings. He states that while there are two sides to the argument, failures of the U.N. are more likely to be headlines, therefore skewing public opinion. He believes that judging the U.N. for its failures and disregarding its successes is not allowing for the time it takes for world peace to be built, and the U.N. is a vital stepping stone to world peace.

1960s
October 27, 1961
“Brutus Faces Banishment: University May Lose Biggest Member of Its Canine Clan”
By Fred Hilton
Photo by Crutchfield


Sigma Phi Epsilon once had a 150-pound St. Bernard by the name of Brutus, who was allowed to play and run free on Grounds… until he bit four different University residents. After his fourth bite, Brutus was considered a health concern and ordered off Grounds.

1970s
October 24, 1975
“Rotunda restoration Completion draws near”
By Lenny Marsico
Photos by Dan Grogan


This article gives details to the Rotunda restoration, a project that had obscured the Rotunda from view for two and a half years with plywood walls. After the fire in 1895, which destroyed the Rotunda, its original restoration strayed from Jefferson’s vision for the space. This restoration, nearly 100 years later, returned the Rotunda as the heart of the U.Va. community.

1980s
October 24, 1980
“Skydiving: adventures, misadventures”
By Doug Crichton
Photo by Matt Holmes


Only 40 years ago, students could join the Skydiving Club, where they could drive to Orange County Airport and take a leap from an airplane. This article tells the humorous narrative of Doug Crichton, writer for The Cavalier Daily, who was brave enough to investigate what the club was about first-hand. He describes the rush of mixed emotions, as the terrible fear of crashing through the sky is contrasted with the feeling of taking in the world’s beauty from a new perspective.

1990s
October 22, 1993
“Fourth year brings transitions”
By Kelley Taylor
Illustration by Dan Hardnock


Fourth-year student Kelley Taylor reflects on her feelings of leaving the University, and the several “lasts” that she has experienced. She states the contrast of emotions, how one day you feel ready to leave, as if college is already beyond you, but the next you’re reminiscing over what could be your last look at the Rotunda surrounded by fall foliage. She voices that fourth year is a time of transition, in which you must come to terms with the upcoming reality of true independence.

2000s
October 22 & 23, 2007
“The Legacy of the Lawn”
By Connie Huang
Photos by Sarah Holzman


This two-part article contrasts the history of the Lawn. The first installment depicts the conceptual and architectural history of the lawn, sharing how Jefferson intended the space to look and feel. The second installment tells the story of past violence and discrimination on the Lawn, and how the Lawn once was not a safe space for studiers, but a space restricted only to its inhabitants.

Local Savings

Comments

Latest Video

Latest Podcast

Four Lawnies share their experiences with both the Lawn and the diverse community it represents, touching on their identity as individuals as well as what it means to uphold one of the University’s pillar traditions.