Category Archives: News
Women’s Volleyball Team Stung by Rival in First Round
William Masselli ~ Sports Columnist
The University of Lynchburg Women’s Volleyball Team enjoyed a successful season, finishing third in a competitive conference, but the team lost to archrival Randolph-Macon in the ODAC quarterfinals.
Interim Head Coach Hannah Givens said “Being able to host the first round of the ODAC tournament was such a reward,” she began. “We worked hard this season and being able to host a conference tournament game proved it. This is the first time we hosted an ODAC first round match since 2016, so we are really proud of this accomplishment.”
Alexis Horner, a freshman middle blocker, said, “The loss to Randolph Macon does sting. However, I see every game as an opportunity to learn and implement what we practice every week. The losses are opportunities for the players on the team to figure out what they need to improve on. After the loss to Randolph-Macon, I feel more motivated than ever to work hard over summer break, so I can be ready to compete in the fall.”
Read moreNews and Brief for the Week of May 3rd
Biden aims for vaccinating 70% of adult Americans by July 4
By ZEKE MILLER and JONATHAN LEMIRE
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday set a new vaccination goal to deliver at least one dose to 70% of adult Americans by July Fourth, focusing on easing access to shots as his administration tackles the vexing problem of winning over those reluctant to get inoculated.
The new goal comes as demand for vaccines has dropped off markedly nationwide, with some states leaving more than half their vaccine doses unordered. Biden called for states to make vaccines available on a walk-in basis and will direct many pharmacies to do the same, and his administration is for the first time moving to shift doses from states with weaker demand to areas with stronger interest in the shots.
Read moreWellness Day Hike
Gannon Vitelli ~ Breaking News Editor
One of the activities held for the final wellness day at the University of Lynchburg was a nature walk at the Claytor Nature Center.
Students and faculty participated in a hike on April 30 at the Claytor Nature Center which consisted of moving up the Narrows trail up the Cloverlea Farmhouse and gardens, and by the Big Otter River.
Along with the hike was a one-hour beginner’s yoga session held by Christine Euhus, the University of Lynchburg yoga instructor.
Read moreCommunity Market Find Success Despite the Pandemic
Pete Deaver ~ Guest Writer
One year after quarantine hit full force, vendors at the Lynchburg Community Market indicate that it was a very profitable year.
When the pandemic hit roughly one year ago, and efforts to stay home and stay safe increased, small businesses took a massive blow. According to a survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank, 30% of surveyed business owners indicated that their business would likely not survive the impact of the pandemic.
However, farmers in Lynchburg, Va., and surrounding areas, tell a different story.
Read moreThe Sandusky Dig
Evy Brunelle ~ News Editor
As the last few weeks of the spring semester wrap up, the Historic Sandusky House has been welcoming students and excavating artifacts.
Ashani Parker, a senior, said, “At Sandusky, I am a lab technician, meaning I access and catalogue artifacts that come in from the field sites. On campus, I am president of the Archaeology Society and a member of the Archaeology Advisory Board. I help make the archaeology major more accessible and profitable for students.”
Parker explained what has been happening at the Historic Sandusky House. “We have had a fair amount of students sign up and continue to participate,” she said. “These students have learned a lot in a short time. Furthermore, they are enjoying the process of excavating. Currently, they have been finding a lot of ceramics and a few old coins that have been particularly helpful in dating the site.”
Read moreBedford Hike for Hope
Cassandra Matthews ~ Assistant Editor
The annual Hike for Hope is occurring at the Claytor Nature Center on May 8.
This event is being put on by the University of Lynchburg and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to bring awareness to suicide prevention efforts while raising money for the cause.
To raise money for AFSP, registrants for the hike will share their fundraising page, asking friends, family, and the community to help.
Read moreHiking Trails at the Claytor Nature Center
Cassandra Matthews ~ Assistant Editor
Hiking is just one of the many recreational opportunities that can be explored at the Claytor Nature Center.
The trails reach a total of just under eight miles, and are home to a number of flora and fauna.
Dan Miles is the facilities manager, and he has been in charge of creating and maintaining the trails. “I have enjoyed this opportunity at the Claytor Center enormously. To me, it is an art form. I got my training with the local Appalachian Trail club and during my 17 years as a wilderness ranger and trail crew chief in the National Forests of Washington state.”
Read moreNew Lynchburg Merch
TJ Harvey ~ Guest Writer
In the past few weeks, there has been a small buzz going around campus about the new University of Lynchburg merch. The question is: where did it all come from?
Christopher Sumo, a sophomore, who is interested in fashion and design partnered with the campus store at the University.
“I want to work with them because one, I am a student. The truth is I am interested in fashion and design and working with the school store will help me practice that… Working with them will give me the opportunity to be exposed so people can see my work and see what I am capable of,” says Sumo.
Read moreStaying on Track
William Masselli ~ Sports Columnist
On May 2, 2021, the University of Lynchburg Women’s Track and Field Team won the ODAC championship.
Director of Cross-Country Track and Field Jim Sprecher highlighted the importance of the contributions that two seniors in particular made, stating, “Both Stephanie Burnett and Jackie Wilson made big contributions to our ODAC title, as both won two titles each. More importantly, both were involved in the most exciting victories of the championship. Burnett won the 10,000 meter and 5,000 meter runs in heroic fashion. Wilson anchored the 4×400-meter relay with a come from behind victory in the last event of the meet.”
Wilson stated, “Seeing the team storm the track to celebrate my accomplishment and the team’s accomplishment is a memory that I will never forget.”
Burnett said, “This is truly an exciting feeling. The most exciting part is winning as a team. Also, I am ecstatic that the men and women both won the ODAC. It is always an amazing feeling to win at home in front of your parents and fans. The atmosphere was electric, and I thought that having the championship at Lynchburg made winning the championship ten times more exciting.”
Read moreMen’s Tennis Team Left It on the Court in ODAC Quarterfinal
William Masselli ~ Sports Columnist
On May 2, 2021, the University of Lynchburg Men’s Tennis Team was defeated by the Roanoke Maroons in the ODAC quarterfinal.
Despite the loss in the quarterfinal, the University of Lynchburg Men’s Tennis Team enjoyed a successful season. Colton Mullins, a captain, talked about the highlights of this season, stating, “Our best win was against Hampden Sydney because this is a rivalry that we have not won in many years.”
Daniel Christian, a senior and captain, wanted to give credit to his coaches and teammates for the successful season. He said, “All credit goes to my teammates, Coach Johnson, and Coach Randall. Our coaches practice with us and get us to where we need to be. Also, my teammates have all done their part to ensure we not only made the first round of the ODAC tournament, but also were able to host it.”
Read moreCritograph Volume 105 Issue 28
University of Lynchburg Women’s Tennis Looks to Return the Favor Against Generals
William Masselli ~ Sports Columnist
The University of Lynchburg Women’s Tennis Team has earned the No. 2 seed in the upcoming ODAC conference tournament.
Previously, University of Lynchburg lost to the nationally ranked Washington and Lee (W&L) Generals, but the Hornets are looking forward to returning the favor against the Generals in the ODAC tournament.
Director of Tennis Christopher Johnson is proud of where his team is at. “We talk a lot about grit and perseverance,” he said. “I am proud because everyone on the team has demonstrated these attributes in the last few games of the regular season. We are looking forward to hosting our quarterfinal matches.”
Read moreVirginia Passes First Protective Legislation for Victims of Human Trafficking
Pete Deaver ~ Guest Writer
Virginia has passed two new bills that are designed to protect victims from forced sex crimes if they are victims of human trafficking.
House Bill 2133 was voted on during the 2021 General Assembly and was unanimously approved. It seeks to allow victims of human trafficking who had been, “solicited, invited, recruited, encouraged, forced, intimidated, or deceived by another to engage in acts of prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse for money or its equivalent” to apply to have convictions as a result of those terms to be vacated. This means that, although the record of that conviction will still be in place, it will be considered dismissed by a court of law.
Read moreTo Infinity and Beyond: Lynchburg’s Role in Space Science
Cassandra Matthews ~ Assistant Editor
The Claytor Nature Center is home to the Belk Astronomical Observatory, and work done there furthers the discoveries of the NASA Solar System Ambassador program.
The NASA Solar System Ambassadors (SSA) website page describes the program by saying, “The NASA Solar System Ambassadors program is a public engagement effort that works with motivated volunteers across the nation to communicate the science and excitement of NASA’s space exploration missions and discoveries with the people in their communities.”
Trish Cerulli is one of those motivated volunteers. She said, “I became an SSA in Jan. 2021, after hearing about it last year from one of our dedicated docents, Ray Bradley. As the Outreach Coordinator for the Belk Observatory, much of my work there is already aligned with the mission of the SSA program, so I was happy to be selected as a volunteer SSA for NASA! I am the only SSA serving in the Lynchburg, Va., area, and I hope to be able to visit local libraries, scout troops, campus events, and other Lynchburg community opportunities to spread the word about space science and Belk Observatory!”
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