VCU’s piano ensemble plays on.

Fingers flying across ivory keys, a bow strumming over tight strings, and vocals emanating from deep within the body; these are some of the motions necessary for making music.

Last Thursday, Virginia Commonwealth University musicians were able to show off what semesters of training can do.

The Department of Music held its piano ensemble in front of an intimate crowd at the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall in the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts.

There were seven performance, ranging from pianists paired with singers and violinists, to an impressive piano duet playing a classic Mozart sonata.

Dr. Dmitri Shteinberg, the Assistant Professor of Piano, has been working with these young musicians for several years.

“It starts in the classroom. As performing artists, we always remember that we perform for a crowd, even if we’re performing for one person,who’s our teacher,” says Shteinberg about the students holding their composure in front of a crowd.

The Department of Music hosts more than 200 concerts every year, so needless to say, for these students, practice makes perfect.

Virginia Tech remembers, gun protesters look to the future

One year ago, America suffered the worst school shooting in its history.  At the Virginia Tech Richmond Center on April 16, hokies of all ages came together to reflect, and honor the victims.

VCU becomes first round draft pick for freshmen

Which factors are important to you when choosing a university?

Cost? Location? Diversity? Popularity?

 

As an institution that was once looked at as a second choice for students, Virginia Commonwealth University is now the largest in the state, with a current enrollment of more than 31,000 students.

 

Pamela Lepley, a university spokesperson says more students are seeking VCU than ever. “When you have 17,000 freshman applications for less than 4,000 spots… we are a destination institution, not a back-up institution,” said Lepley.

 

Cynthia Schmidt, director of university marketing, agrees and adds that positive publicity has helped VCU grow in popularity. “I would be crazy if I don’t mention the fact that out successful basketball team has been a huge benefit when it comes to spreading name recognition,” said Schmidt.

Captain Grant Warren: The man behind the badge

25 years on the job and Captain Grant Warren is just as excited about his work today as he was his first day on the job. But for Warren, it was not an easy road to becoming a VCU officer.

Warren’s journey began when he received a criminal justice degree at North Carolina State. After graduation he served in the U.S Navy. Once he left the Navy he worked various security jobs. Then he worked for the department of corrections. He came to VCU to get his masters in public administration in the early 80’s. It was at this point that he decided he wanted to become a VCU officer.

Scholarships proven to be worth the effort

 

Coming out of college with little or no debt is always a good way to start off your career.  One of the best ways to do this is through scholarships, or as some like to call it, ”free money.” 

Room and board, books, and the rising cost of tuition are all important financial considerations when it comes to furthering your education.  So why aren’t more students cashing in on this free money?

It could be the extent of the application process, the time it takes to go after some of the money and the response time to find out if you actually received it.  Some students prefer to take other routes altogether.  Virginia Commonwealth University Senior Michelle Ariza applied for several scholarships before joining the Army Reserve to help her pay for college.

“I joined mainly for college.  Getting out of high school, there was not very much financial opportunities, or would you say resources, to carry over to school.  So what I had to do was join the military for the school benefits.”

Although the military may be the choice of some, everyone is not a fan of taking this route.  The National Scholarship Office at 701 West Broad Street is a place where students can get help with applying for scholarships, get questions answered, and get that extra encouragement they may sometimes need.

Another common excuse for the low scholarship recipient rate is that some simply do not know where to find this “free money.”  VCU’s National Scholarship Coordinator, Jeff Wing, is trying to change that.

“I’m responsible for advertising and promoting the different scholarships and national scholarship programs and to identify potential candidates and encourage them to apply.  I do some recruiting and work with them if they decide to apply work on the application.”

Wing’s work paid off recently when four students won National Goldwater Scholarships, which recognizes students who are studying research in mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering.

One of the Goldwater recipients, Allison De Groot, says it wasn’t easy.

“I am glad and it was a lot of work.  I know there were times when I was saying this is too much and so confusing trying to write these essays and put yourself into it in a few paragraphs and try to explain your life goals and we are only 18 and 19.”

Along with the school’s scholarship programs and various websites, others are trying to pitch in to help in the effort to expand the scholarship recipient list.  More than 200 people came out on April 10th to donate to the 2008 Scholarship Walk-a-Thon to raise money to contribute to well-deserving students seeking money for school. 

Event coordinator Marquita Aguilar comments that the event was about more than just raising money.

“It let the community know that there are things that go on here and they are more than willing to come and help and get involved with a child continuing their education and furthering themselves and achieving that goal.  The community is all for that and our staff here that you see on a regular basis are here more than at home so we are like family.”

This event alone raked in a grand total of $11,600 to help finance some students in need of a little monetary assistance.

So what are some ways to build the encouragement of going for this money that is waiting to be given away?  Goldwater Scholarship recipient Mary Bird says to just stick with it.

“Don’t count yourself out and don’t automatically assume that you won’t get it.  It’s one of those things that comes with time if you put in the work and you are a good student and you really feel passionate about it.  That shows to the committee.”

Helpful Tips for “getting the green”: 

• Take initiative and apply for the scholarship you want
• Follow all deadlines set by the scholarship providers
• Always make copies of all your completed applications before submitting them

(Courtesy of: http://ezinearticles.com/?Tips-on-Getting-A-Scholarship&id=527279)

Top 5 sites to find scholarships:

1. Fastweb: http://www.fastweb.com

2. Scholarship Experts: http://www.scholarshipexperts.com

3. College Board: http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/welcome.jsp

4. Next Student: http://www.nextstudent.com/scholarship_search/scholarship_search.asp

5. Free Scholarship Guide: http://www.freescholarshipguide.com/?af=CJ_newlink2

Protecting yourself from VCU’s number one crime

Larceny, or theft, is a weekly occurrence on VCU’s campus, according to Sargeant Nicole Dailey with the VCU Police. Books, bags, and bikes are among the most popular items stolen.

According to the 2007 VCU Annual Security Report, there were 217 reported cases of larceny in 2006, making larceny the number one crime on VCU’s campus.

One VCU student has been a victim of this crime first-hand. Ashley Tipton, a student at VCU, had money stolen from her when she left it unattended in the Cabell Library.

“I was in the library, and it was kinda like a “Late Nite, All Nite” thing going on and I left to go to the restroom and I came back, and I realized that the money out of my wallet was gone,” says Tipton. “I wasn’t gone for a long time, so someone essentially went to my bag, took the money out of my wallet, and surprisingly no one saw it.”

She didn’t think leaving her stuff behind while making a trip to the restroom was a big deal. Tipton felt her items were safe because there were security cameras installed in the building.

Rising prices for rental properties causes concern for many

Tips from pros can help moving woes

The real estate market is turbulent and some may think that there is a spillover effect. Rental prices are on the rise, but those in the business have mixed views on why.

VCU Real Estate Professor Brent Smith says rental prices are increasing, “simply because there are not as much housing as they would like to see available… that coupled with the downturn in the housing market means we have a growing population of potential renters.”

Smith follows by explaining this issue through the concept of supply and demand.

Another perspective is offered by real estate developer Reid Pierce, “I was a licensed real estate broker for a long time so I know all about the retail market… the Fan market (in Richmond, VA), both on home sales and rental market has always been strong and it is still strong today… prices are fluxuating on the sales side and days on market has increased. But sales are still strong…”

Smith sees the supply and demand, but from his perspective it is attributed to the growing population at Virginia Commonwealth University.

“VCU has an enrollment of probably 35,000 kids and they have housing for about a tenth of that, so the housing market is good, has been good and will always been good… but I don’t really (end up renting) to students.”

One thing is for sure, advice from professionals will help in making a decision on where to live.

The clip below may offer some suggestions:

If a brand had a party, what kind would it be?

Brands are iconic. And in media brands are everything. From the NBC peacock to the sounds on NPR and the content you would expect to find on the pages of the New York Times. Brands allow consumers to know what to expect and where to get it.

The USA Today is known for a variety of brand images and publisher and president,
Craig Moon stopped by the new Business Building on the Monroe Park campus at Virginia Commonwealth University to provide his unique perspective.

Spring fashion: what’s hot, what’s not

Bright Colors are sizzling hot this spring.  Photo: thebudgetfashionista.com.

By Brandon Shulleeta

5 FASHION DON’Ts: 

1. Skin-tight leopard: that’s out. 

2. Huge jacket, yet bare legs: Make up your mind! 

3. Cowgirl boots and a cowgirl hat: Not necessary for city living.  One or the other will do.

4. Lots of jewelry and swimsuits: don’t mix.

5. Sweats and heels: Ohhhh Noooo!

   (“Don’t” tips courtesy glamour.com)

CLICK “MORE” BELOW, FOR HOT SPRING TRENDS (FROM 3 FASHION EXPERTS)

Going green comes with commitment

 Tamika Dillard

Recyclemania has ended, but is that the end of reycling for VCU? Well, the green meeting held on March 17, 2008 suggests that it’s just the beginning. At the meeting, the Student Government Association voiced their concerns to Dr. Trani about VCU becoming more environmentally friendly. The “big green meeting” resulted in Dr. Trani agreeing to sign the President’s Climate Commitment, which asks that the administration commit to: