As I sit here on the MV Explorer, awaiting our imminent departure from northeastern China (and to Japan in 2 days time), I am surrounded by drunk college students, senior citizens and young children, not to mention one of the more well-known Nobel Peace laureates.
When asked his opinion of college students today during his visit to the University April 12, Ralph Nader did not mince words. "This generation is redefining 'trivial,'" Nader said. Nader visited the University two weeks ago to give a presentation titled "While You Were Watching Big Brother, Big Brother Was Watching You: What Students Should Know, and What Students Can Do." In an interview before his presentation, the 73-year-old political activist spoke about what he sees as the problem with young people these days. "They have less and less knowledge of history, a smaller vocabulary, a shorter attention span and spend too much time looking at screens," Nader said.
For my last column of the year, I should comment and perhaps apologize for some minor mistakes I have made in my previous articles.
I really wanted to write about the importance of arranged marriages. If you had a spouse picked out for you, you wouldn't have to worry about a lot of things.
Assault/ intimidation: RESTRICTED VICTIM of Assault-intimidation (C), at Emmet St, Charlottesville, VA, between 11:00, 04/14/2007 and 11:19, 04/14/2007.
Clark Elementary School could turn out the next Adrien Brody, Meryl Streep or Will Ferrell with the help of Kids Acting Out, a University contracted independent organization which helps students at the school put on plays each semester. KAO was started by 2005 University graduate, Bre DiGiammarino during the 2002-03 school year, although the group became very active in spring 2004. In spring 2004, KAO worked with 12 to 15 third- and fourth-graders at Clark Elementary School.
As a college student who is a former victim of advanced-stage teen angst and spent his formative years under the Bush administration, I like to think I am jaded.
When something like this happens, it is impossible to ignore. We have all heard the statistics: 33 dead, 15 injured, countless other emotional wounds.
I started working at The Cavalier Daily almost four years ago. Since then I've drawn five dozen editorial cartoons, over a hundred illustrations, almost four hundred comics and written a handful of columns.
I never thought I would turn my back on this University. I never thought I would so willingly abandon the friends I love, the classes I enjoy and the a cappella groups I tolerate.
In 1969, the University of Virginia was a very different place. Discrimination was part of the fabric of the University and racial tensions were high.
With the semester winding down, University students' minds collectively turn to one thing: end of the year celebrations, the most extravagant event being the Foxfield Races April 28.
It started out with whispers during classes Monday morning as the story about Virginia Tech broke on the Internet.
University students dug through their closets to find anything maroon and orange -- two colors all Hoos had previously tried to avoid -- to demonstrate their support of Virginia Tech at the vigil held last night. As candlelight slowly spread around the Amphitheater and flags from both universities were displayed, President John Casteen, III began his address to an overwhelmingly maroon and orange audience. "Tonight we have come together to talk, to meditate on, to mourn the deaths of Virginia Tech students and faculty members," Casteen said to an eerily silent crowd. Yesterday afternoon, Casteen attended a convocation held at Virginia Tech, later remarking that the somber atmosphere among students there was still "assertive of life." "Today was for them -- tonight is also for them, but tonight is for you, too," Casteen said, addressing the many University students who suffered losses Monday. Four of the 33 deaths hit especially close to home here at the University.
The semester is coming to a close, the fourth years are getting all nostalgic and weepy, and what's the deal with all of this rain?
Alumnus Frank Batten recently gave a $100 million donation to our fine University to establish a school of "leadership and public policy." Let me be the first to say... we don't want a school of leadership and public policy.
So this is it ladies and gentlemen, the final column of my illustrious writing career. It all began in third grade when a piece I had written about tiger poaching was published in Florida Keys Magazine.
In the wake of yesterday's tragedy, many University students felt unable to help their peers at Virginia Tech.
To the University Community: The shootings this morning at Virginia Tech have turned a seemingly normal day into one filled with grief and disbelief.
The wind howling in the quad of Old Dorms was strong enough to prevent students from lighting their candles as they took part in a vigil for those affected by the tragedy of Virginia Tech. Instead, organizers and first-year College students Katie Welch and Chelsea Cantrell asked the students to move behind Emmet dormitory and form a circle. "Close your eyes and brace yourself against the wind," Cantrell said. For the roughly 80 students in attendance, bracing against the wind meant different things. "I am here because I am hoping to find peace from community," third-year College student Laura Woolley said.
