This week women’s soccer is collecting cans for the SAAC Food Drive. Bring all canned food to Turner and donate through Venmo at @Lynchburg_SAAC. The drive ends Friday so make sure to donate!
Grace Cavanaugh, Staff Writer~
Every year, students across the United States come to the University of Lynchburg to further their education and challenge their academic thought. This year, Lynchburg College changed its name to the University of Lynchburg, and along with that change came a variety of new areas of study. New majors and minors include: psychological science, pop culture, and forestry and wildlife. Furthermore, the University of Lynchburg broadened their schools. Each of the University’s majors and minors are divided into separate schools. For example, the School of Science includes majors and minors of chemistry, biology and physics, and the School of Humanities include majors and minors of English, foreign language, and religion. (more…)
Ethan Fredericks, Assisstant Editor~
On July 1st, 2018, the Westover Honors Program followed the University of Lynchburg’s initiative and underwent a name change, rebranding itself as the Westover Honors College.
Information regarding the change has remained foggy. With a singular twitter post from the Westover Honors College account regarding the change and no outside news coverage, details are mainly spread via word-of-mouth. This unfortunate circumstance has kept some of those enrolled in the Westover Honors College in the dark about the change. (more…)
Caroline Wilkerson, Copy Editor~
On Thursday, September 6, 2018, students of the University of Lynchburg will have the opportunity to showcase their clubs and organizations at this year’s Organization Fair.
Twice a year, the University of Lynchburg has an organization fair to allow students from all backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs to come together and to see the different ways that they can become involved on campus. The University of Lynchburg encourages all students to get involved in some way, for they believe that it can help their students explore new interests, develop new skills, enhance their academic program, and have a direct impact on the campus and surrounding Lynchburg community. (more…)
Dr. Clifton W. Potter, UofL History Professor~
On April 18, 1903, Dr. Josephus Hopwood and the men who would form the core of the first Board of Trustees of Virginia Christian College paid $13,500 ($382,000 in 2018 dollars) for the deserted Westover Hotel, its contents, and a large tract of land. The defunct resort had been built in 1890 during a nationwide land boom as the anchor of the West Lynchburg Land Company. (more…)
Dr. Mike Robinson, UofL Communication Studies Professor~
By now, you’ve probably seen Avengers: Infinity War. Or you’ve had someone tell you what happened in the end. If not, stop reading now.
Thanos killed half of the population of the universe. With a snap of his fingers—and the unimaginable power of the Infinity Gauntlet—Thanos’ will was enforced and a number of beloved Marvel Cinematic Universe characters crumbled to dust. (more…)
Grace Cavanaugh, Staff Writer~
I’ve always been interested in Tarot. At first, it started with a little interest while I was doing research for a story I was writing. I talked to a Pagan friend of mine who read Tarot about which cards would mean this and that, and she gave me a few websites to look at, as well as a few suggestions for the cards I should look up. I went on to tell my aunt about this same story, and the research I’d done, and then my aunt surprised me with a pack of Tarot cards. At the time, I had no interest in doing readings. I just thought they were cool. The cards my aunt gave me were zombie themed, but I never got to even open them. My parents aren’t very religious, or weren’t at the time, but they were superstitious. My mom made me give the cards back, because by having them I was inviting “the Devil” into our house. (more…)
Katherine Daniel, Editor in Chief~
Many college students dread the thoughts of the word “money.” Questions go through your head like, “How am I going to make any money while I am in college?,” “What am I going to do if I have no money for gas?”, or “Do I have to ask my parents for money?” There is a lot of things that college students can do to make a little extra money while in college, and there are places that give out discounts when college students have their “student ID.” (more…)
Chris Snan, Staff Columnist~
The former Oakland Raider, Khalil Mack, has a new home in the Windy City this upcoming season. It was made official Saturday when the Raiders and the Chicago Bears came to an agreement with the trade, which now makes Mack the highest-paid defensive in NFL history. A record breaking 6 year $141 million dollar contract was more than enough to land one of the best pass rushers in the league today. (more…)
Caitlin Dorsch, Copy Desk Chief~
The Old Dominion Athletic Conference coaches released their annual preseason poll on August 15, 2018, with the University of Lynchburg Women’s Volleyball team obtaining a rank of fifth-place, just 39 points behind number one ranked Washington and Lee University. They were one of only five teams in the conference to reach the 100-point milestone. (more…)
Caroline Wilkerson, Copy Editor~
On Wednesday, August 22, 2018, the Class of 2022 made history by being a part of the first convocation at the University of Lynchburg. While convocation is a tradition that honors the incoming freshman class, it is also an opportunity for the professors, advisors, and their peers to convey their expectations of the newest Hornets.
This year’s convocation held more significance as it was the University of Lynchburg’s first convocation. University of Lynchburg President, Dr. Kenneth R. Garren, opened the ceremony welcoming all guests and then raised the new University flag. (more…)
Ethan Fredericks, Assistant Editor~
The fall brings more than just a change of season as Lynchburg College follows the plans set by its Board of Trustees, and changed the name to the University of Lynchburg. This decision was originally set in motion on February 24, 2017 as part of a larger strategy titled “Vision 2020” that intended to elevate the institution to University status and to make it higher ranked throughout the state. (more…)
Grace Cavanaugh, Staff Writer~
New and returning students may notice that Lakeside Drive is closed down with detour signs offering alternative routes. What some do not know is that Lakeside Drive is actually part of the dam. On August 2, 2018, torrential rains caused the dam holding back College Lake to fail, and water broke through and crossover Lakeside Drive. Since then, the University of Lynchburg and city officials have been discussing options for College Lake, which has since been drained due to extensive damage to the dam. According to Dr. Thomas Shahady, professor of Environmental Science at the University of Lynchburg, “The dam is inadequate. Because there’s homes below it, [city officials] are concerned that if we have another big storm that it could breach the dam.” (more…)
Caitlin Dorsch, Copy Desk Chief~
The Old Dominion Athletic Conference coaches released their annual preseason poll on August 16, 2018 with the University of Lynchburg Women’s Cross Country team obtaining a rank of second-place, just 13 points behind Washington and Lee University.
Having brought back most of the squad and by adding one freshmen to the mix, the UofL team seems ready to attack any course. The returning runners, who are apart of the UofL outdoor track and field program in the spring, are fresh off their first conference title since 2011.
Although being ranked second in the poll, the UofL runners feel that they should have been ranked first. Sophomore, Kaitlyn Johnson said, “We have a chip on our shoulder about being ranked second. We’ve been working so hard for it; we won outdoor track ODACs and beat [Washington and Lee] in regionals last year.” Junior, Michela Cholak insisted, “We are preparing for the season by doing high intensity training, doing our endurance and two-mile time trials, and going on runs together.”
The UofL runners believe that their team dynamic will help them excel into first place as the season progresses. Sophomore, Stephanie Burnett said this UofL team is the “closest team [she has] ever had” and that the most important entity of a strong team, no matter the sport, is when “you actually like the people you are with, spending time with them, and hanging out off of the track.”
“I think the cool thing about our team is that even if we are dealing with something, we still help each other through whatever we are dealing with. We are there for each other,” adds Senior, Morgan Watson.
“After our two-mile time trial, Coach [Jake Reed] told us that our sixth girl was one minute and a half faster than our sixth girl last year. And, we beat [Washington and Lee University] in regionals last year. We are coming back this year stronger than ever,” says Burnett.
“Coming from a small town where everybody knows each other, it’s really nice to come here and immediately feel a strong family aspect on this team. I am so excited for what is to come,” states Freshmen, Rosie Gumm.
“We are ready,” says Johnson.
The UofL Lady Hornets begin their quest this Friday, August 31, 2018, at the Covered Bridge Open in Boone, North Carolina. Then, they head just down the road to Blacksburg for the Virginia Tech Alumni Invitation on Saturday, September 15, 2018.
Sarah Irby, Editor in Chief~
Just a heads up: For once, this column won’t be about something risque or taboo. This issue is the last issue of The Critograph for the 2017-18 year, which also means this is the last time I will be writing for my column, since I will be graduating in a few short weeks. (more…)
