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Previous Stories: Spring 2004
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Whiter Smiles
Teeth whitening has become one of the
most popular ways for dentists to help their patients
improve their smiles. Studies show that teeth whitening
products have a success rate of up to 90% to 95 % over a 30
day period.
Read More... |
Summer at VCU: Business as Usual
The sun of summer has not affected
the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. It's
still business as usual as over 9,000 students are
enrolled in about 800 offered classroom courses. The
newly named "Monroe Campus" (formerly Academic Campus)
is full of construction projects that will change the
face of the university for years to come.
Read More... |
Student Health Insurance
According to a 2003 National
College Health Assessment random survey of 688
undergraduate VCU students, 11 percent answered that
they did not have health insurance. In 2002, the random
survey, which is stratified throughout various
undergraduate classes, resulted in 15 percent of 810
students replying that they were uninsured.
Read More... |
Returning to Normal on Broad Street
On this Monday evening Richmond is
grappling with the reality of last Friday's fire. Virginia
Commonwealth University and the neighboring Carver community
are both reeling from a blow they never saw coming. The fire
that broke out around 12:30 on Friday afternoon is gone
after gutting twenty-two buildings and claiming at least one
life. The windy March weather that carried flaming debris
across Broad Street has died down. Smoke no longer looms on
the horizon.
Read More... |
VCU Hosts Religion and the Black Vote Forum
The outcome of the 2004 presidential
elections, generated a lot of speculation about the
influence of religion on voting. VCU's School of Mass
Communications hosted a panel discussion called "Religion
and the Black Vote" in order to address this issue with a
focus on the black community.
Read More... |
The Popularity of Forensics
As we told you in the April edition of
VCU InSight, the School’s Forensic Science department is
booming. In just one year enrollment has gone from 14
students to over 250 and shows no signs of slowing down.
Thanks to some help from crime novels, movies and popular
television shows like "CSI," the field of forensics has
become a "hip" profession for the new millennium.
Read More...
 Slide
Show: popularity of forensics |
VCU Medical Center Food Lion Intensive care Unit
This past February, VCU's Children's
Medical Center http://childrenshosp-richmond.org opened the
new critical care unit. The facility is completely renovated
-- featuring modern rooms that promote the idea of
family-centered care.
Read More... |
Locking Out Thieves
“I have seen bikes stolen before, and I
don’t really chance it,” Virginia Commonwealth University
sophomore Joe Herbert said. “So I take mine everywhere I
go.” That may sound drastic, but in the year 2000, the FBI
reported more than 300,000 bicycle thefts nationwide. Even
more compelling is a 1994 report from the National Bike
Registry. The study found that a student cyclist who spends
four years in college has 53 percent chance of losing the
old two-wheeler to thieves.
Read More... |
History of the Grace Street Theatre
Once a second-run movie house, Virginia
Commonwealth University transformed the Lee Theater into a
modern performance auditorium renamed the Grace Street
Theater. Located at 934 W. Grace Street, the building has a
colorful history.
Read More... |
First Born Bikes
Dennis Throckmorton passion for riding
bikes helped sparked his interest to begin his business
First Born Bikes. Although his garage business is small and
clientele base is friends and family Throckmorton's creative
energy and love for what he does is great.
Read More... |
Facts About Autism
Autism has become the third leading
childhood disability. It currently affects one out of every
two-hundred and fifty children. And the reality of it is
that not many people understand the complexities of this
developmental disability. Autism affects each individual in
a different manner, the symptoms and characteristics of
autism can present themselves in a wide variety of
combinations, from mild to severe. Although autism is
defined by a certain set of behaviors, children and adults
can exhibit any combination of the behaviors in any degree
of severity. Two children, both with the same diagnosis, can
act differently from one another and have varying skills.
Read More... |
Energy Saving Tips
Did you know that the typical U.S.
household spends about $1,300 a year on their home's utility
bills??? Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is
wasted. The amount of energy wasted just through poorly
insulated windows and doors is about as much energy as we
get from the Alaskan pipeline each year. By using a few easy
energy-efficient measures, you can reduce your energy bills
and help the environment.
Read More... |
In the Line of Fire
It was supposed to be another average
Friday: run some errands and relax. The day would not unfold
that way. My first stop was at the student bookstore. I was
only there to order graduation announcements when I realized
that a fire engine was driving rather close to the building.
Any other time I hear a fire engine, I usually think
nothing. I would have gone on about my business and not have
thought another thing about it.
Read More... |
Fire by Numbers
Friday's fire was one of the biggest in
Richmond's recent history, costing the city an estimated $20
million. Thanks to the steadfast effort of emergency crews
in the greater Richmond area, there are very few injuries
associated with the blaze. The following facts are according
to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Read More... |
Help the Carver Community
The Carver Community suffered major
damage as a result of Friday's fire. More than 50 families
are now homeless. In response to this tragedy university
president Dr. Trani announced the establishment of a Carver
Community Relief Fund.
Read More... |
Student Follow-up
Virginia Commonwealth University art students expressed
relief and concern the Monday after a fire on Broad Street
destroyed an apartment building for undergraduate students
that was under construction. The fire, which began at a
construction site on the 900th block of Broad St., leaped
across the street and set the roof of the School of the Arts
building ablaze.
Read More... |
Tuition Woes
For the past few years, tuition rates at VCU have
steadily increased, and the 2004-2005 school year is no
different. Just last month, the VCU Board of Visitors
approved another increase; next year tuition will be 4%
higher. Off campus, out of state students will pay a
whopping $17,368 in tuition and fees, while off campus, in
state students can look forward to shelling out $5,138
dollars over the next year.
Read More... |
Pet Therapy
Dr. Sandra Barker, pictured above, is the Director of the
Center for Human-Animal Interaction. The program strives to
study the health benefits of people interacting with
animals. These centers are usually at veterinary schools,
but this one is makes its home in the School of Medicine-a
national first.
Read More... |
VCU's International Newsroom
VCU's School of International Studies recently celebrated
the grand opening of The International Newsroom. The
newsroom is located on the first floor of the Cabell
Library. The newsroom contains twelve televisions and offers
individuals access to programs from places such as South
Korea, Japan, and India, as well as Jordan, Saudi Arabia and
Russia to name just a few.
Read More... |
Dance on Display
VCU will be dancing its way into the national spotlight
in June. Thanks to a National College Choreographic
Initiative Grant, VCU was able to bring internationally
known choreographer Clay Taliaferro to campus this year.
Taliaferro staged a suite for VCU dancers from Jose Limón
master work, “A Choreographic Offering.” The VCU dancers’
performance of the work was so exceptional that the group
was selected to perform at the National College Dance
Festival at Washington’s Kennedy Center June 1-3, 2004.
Read More... |
VCU ROTC
From throwing mock grenades, to running an obstacle
course, to using real M-16 rifles, more than 80 Army ROTC
cadets were being taught leadership and combat skills. For
three days and two nights the cadets' home was a field in
Fort Lee. A lone green tent sat in the field, far too small
to be a roof for all the cadets, if it was used for sleeping
at all. Many built a simple lean-to shelter on the fringe of
the surrounding forest. Some just slept under the stars.
Read More... |
The Carver/VCU Partnership
Since 1996, VCU has partnered with the neighboring Carver
community to develop youth programs and to assist in the
effort to provide affordable and quality housing. Their hope
is to unite the community and university. In summer 2001,
the university opened a new community programs space to
serve the Carver neighborhood. This space, located at 1103
W. Marshall St., features a multipurpose room, a computer
lab and a suite of offices to support community outreach
programs.
Read More... |
Looking for a job in teaching?
According to the Virginia Department of Education, the
state's average classroom teacher salary in 2003 was
$42,778. That's a 2.5% increase from 2002. And the budgeted
salary for 2004 is $44,628. The main reason for the increase
in salary is the severe teacher shortage across the United
States. Many localities are offering more incentives for new
teachers.
Read More... |
Summertime Shape Up
Summertime schedules are different for most of us. Normal
routines are broken and some things become less and less
consistent…right? Well, no matter how many holiday pounds
you've shed, or not, it's important to maintain your workout
schedule. But shopping around to find the best gym prices
can be as intimidating as working out for the first time. We
here at VCU InSight thought it would be helpful to perform
the search for you.
Read More... |
Fenn speaks at honors convocation
On April 12, 2004, students and faculty gathered in the
auditorium of the VCU Engineering Building for the annual
Honors Convocation and to honor Dr. John Fenn. Cloudy skies
and spring showers did not stop a very lively John Fenn from
speaking at the 2004 VCU Honors Convocation. Fenn, who won a
Nobel Prize in chemistry, has been at VCU since 1994. This
was the first public address by Fenn since winning the Nobel
Prize in 2002. Since, he has given over 40 lectures across
the world.
Read More... |
Dr. Trani Reflects on the Fire
The smoke and heat from last Friday's fire may be absent,
but the damage and destruction remain. Remnants of a student
apartment building that had been under construction and
houses that were demolished in the nearby Carver community
serve as a tragic reminder of what took place. Students walk
to class replaying in their minds the images they saw on the
news. Families who lost their homes try to piece together
any belongings left behind.
Read More... |
Campus Crime
Sometimes reports and numbers may be a little confusing.
If you look at the reported incidents only, it looks as
though Virginia Commonwealth University has extremely high
crime compared to other Virginia Universities. However, if
you compare the incidents to the number of students
enrolled, the numbers appear slightly differently.
Read More... |
The Learning Center at Virginia Commonwealth University
The transition from high school to college can be very
challenging. Some students may need to improve their
academic proficiency. If you are a VCU student and would
like to develop the skills to reach your academic goals, The
Learning Center at VCU is there to help. They offer the
following services to all VCU undergraduates
Read More... |
VCU's Justin Orenduff
VCU's star pitcher Justin Orenduff has a lot going for
him. This year he is eligible for the draft and has a good
possibility of making it in the pros. InSight reporter
Allyson Lipchak recently had the chance to speak with him
and discovered that he's not only an amazing pitcher but is
also a down to earth, nice guy.
Read More... |
VCU French Film Festival
VCU's 12th annual French Film Festival will take place
March 26-28, at the Byrd Theatre. Founded in 1993, the
festivals main goals are: 1) To promote French films and
culture in the United States. 2) To create cultural
partnerships.
Read More... |
Credit and what it means to you
What is credit and why is it important? You've probably
received tons of credit card applications through the mail
or may have been approached by someone on the street with a
free gift just for applying. But do you really know what
credit is and why it's important? Credit cards are
convenient because you can buy things in advance and pay for
them later.
Read More... |
Cyndy Wilks: Virginia Commonwealth University
Cyndy Wilks is a senior guard for Virginia Commonwealth
University's women's basketball squad. She will be receiving
her degree in Sports Management in May 2004. She had a
tremendous year on the court and was recognized by the
Colonial Athletic Association. She is originally from
Bridgeton, New Jersey where she attended Bridgeton High
School. Cyndy was also a Track & Field stand-out while in
high school.
Read More... |
Capital Semester
Most VCU students spend the semester attending boring
class lectures, poring over stacks of textbooks and dreaming
of a sunny Spring Break. But a select handful of students
spend it attending chaotic committee meetings and floor
sessions at the Capitol, leafing through piles of proposed
laws and dreaming of a successful conclusion to the General
Assembly's 2004 session.
Read More...
Want to Enroll?
In Their Own Words... |
CAA Champs
You must know by now that the VCU Rams are number one. In
the explosive final game against George Mason, our men took
it home with a one point lead at the buzzer. The crowd
rushed the floor. It was a sight to see. As intense as the
winning game was, it didn't overshadow the momentum of the
games against Towson or Old Dominion University. ODU packed
a tight defense, but it was not enough to slow down the
Rams. If you were unfortunate enough to miss the ODU game,
never fear, the best pictures are here. VCU InSight watched
form the sidelines as the Rams shot their way to victory.
Read More... |
The VCU Young Democrats campaigned tirelessly in
preparation for the Virginia Democratic Primary
The Virginia Commonwealth University Young Democrats
campaigned tirelessly in preparation for the Virginia
Democratic Primary. From passing out flyers on candidates to
a Democratic Awareness Week booth in the Student Commons,
this group of students works to educate students. At
www.richmondyd.org the VCU Young Democrats list ways to get
involved, links to other organizations, and information on
the Democratic Party.
Read More... |
New Parking Deck Partially Opened
With over 23,000 students on VCU's Academic Campus,
parking can be a problem for students as well as VCU's
neighbors in the Fan District. According to VCU's Parking
and Transportation, about one out of six students have a
parking decal. The arrival of the West Cary Street deck can
alleviate some of this stress.
Read More... |
The Muslim Student Association Reaches Out to
Non-Muslims
Islam has become a widely shared religion since it was
founded in 610 by Muhammad ibn Abd Allah in the city of
Mecca. (present-day Saudi Arabia) Followers of Islam are
called Muslims, and the principle texts of the religion are
the Qur'an and the Hadith. Currently, Islam is the 2nd
largest religion in the world, with about 20 percent of the
world's population calling themselves Muslim.
Read
More... |
Mini-Med School: Winter 2004
Richmond's mini-medical school started in 1992 when Dr.
Bruce Fuchs from the Medical College of Virginia came
together with the director of the Virginia Science Museum to
provide the public a way to learn the latest on a variety of
health care issues in a comfortable setting. There are
seventy eight mini-med schools in more than thirty five
states across the nation, including two international: one
in Italy, one in Ireland. In Virginia alone there are three.
Read More... |
Inclement Weather Shuts Down VCU
Due to this year's inclement weather, VCU was forced to
shut down for a day. A delay was enforced so crews could get
out and clear the way for the city's commuters and students.
Officials wanted to make sure that funds were available to
make the area as safe as possible.
Read More... |
Confused about who to vote for?
The Virginia Primary is over, but we still don't know who
will be the Democratic candidate in this year's presidential
election. To learn more about each candidate, visit their
websites
Read More... |
African-American Studies
The director of the African-American Studies department,
Dr. Njeri Jackson, says the mission of the department is to
increase the understanding of historic and contemporary
experiences of African ancestry throughout the world. While
majoring in African-American Studies, students choose an
area to concentrate their interests, like English,
Geography, and even Psychology. Both majors and minors are
required to take courses to learn about Africa, North
America, Latin America or the Caribbean. The department
offers a wide range of classes from Women in Africa to
Personality and Behavior of the African-American, and even
African-Caribbean Dance. Study abroad opportunities in South
Africa, Barbados, and Cuba.
Read More... |
Wearing Your Art on Your Sleeves!
It's not that unusual to make your own clothes, right?
But you may think it's unusual to make them out of garbage
bag twist ties, Sweet'n Low packets or inflatable pieces of
plastic. That is unless you've ever seen one of Richmond's
Wearable Art shows.
Read More... |
Rosanna Amato: VCU Homecoming Queen 2003
- Major: Mass Communications with a concentration in
business advertising.
- GPA: 3.333
- 2 years on homecoming committee - Dance co-chair and
decorations chair
Read More...
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The Byrd: Richmond's Movie Palace
The Byrd Theatre is one of Richmond's most unique
historic landmarks. Named after the founder of Richmond,
William Byrd, this historic theatre first opened its doors
on December 24, 1928 and the first movie to be run was
called, "Waterfront." At the time, the Byrd was one of 32
movie houses in Richmond. Seven movie houses were on Broad
Street alone, and the Byrd stood on the farthest side of the
West End.
Read More... |
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