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Topic: Past generations & bygone eras

The stairs not taken

The stairs not taken

A stubborn elevator made headlines when poet Robert Frost visited Grounds in 1960.

Spring 2026

What is your strongest memory of student self-governance at UVA?

What is your strongest memory of student self-governance at UVA?

We asked UVA alumni to reflect on student self-governance. They mentioned the University Judiciary Committee, the Pep Band and more.

Spring 2026

UVA’s Common Ground

UVA’s Common Ground

A history of Newcomb Hall, which opened its doors in 1958 and became a home base for generations of students

Spring 2026

The future of student self-governance

The future of student self-governance

Student leaders are fighting to keep self-governance alive and thriving, despite current existential threats and a rocky history.

Winter 2025

Pipe Dream

Pipe Dream

McIntire Amphitheatre once housed an outdoor pipe organ that was plagued by poor upkeep.

Winter 2025

What was your favorite student tradition when you were on Grounds?

What was your favorite student tradition when you were on Grounds?

Alumni reminisce about their favorite university traditions, from Lighting of the Lawn to Halloween festivities.

Winter 2025

Alumni Hall prepares for a new era

Alumni Hall prepares for a new era

A look at the history of Alumni Hall and a preview of the new building coming in spring 2027

Fall 2025

Raiders of the Lost Cards

Raiders of the Lost Cards

The card catalogue that holds a record of the first 125 years of students at UVA

Fall 2025

What are your favorite memories of Alumni Hall?

What are your favorite memories of Alumni Hall?

With a complete overhaul of Alumni Hall on the way, we wanted to know alumni's favorite memories of the building.

Fall 2025

The best of the best

The best of the best

Our entirely arguable, semi-objective list of UVA’s top athletes of all time

Summer 2025

What was the most memorable class that you took just for fun?

What was the most memorable class that you took just for fun?

From Introduction to Mindfulness to Archaeology of Virginia, alumni share memories of fun courses.

Summer 2025

UVA’s own ‘red scare’

UVA’s own ‘red scare’

In 1951, assistant professor Homer G. Richey publicly alleged that several of his colleagues at the Woodrow Wilson School of Foreign Affairs were communist sympathizers.

Summer 2025

From President Ryan: Remembering John Casteen

From President Ryan: Remembering John Casteen

President Ryan’s full remarks from President Emeritus John Casteen’s memorial service on April 15, 2025.

Summer 2025

A Century of Mem

A Century of Mem

How the gym on the edge of Grounds became a central hub

Spring 2025

’Hoo’s Your UVA Bestie?

’Hoo’s Your UVA Bestie?

Alumni share how they've maintained lifelong bonds that started on Grounds

Spring 2025

What, the duck?

What, the duck?

How a Marvel comic book character called Howard the Duck won a student election

Winter 2024

What was the kindest thing someone did for you at UVA?

What was the kindest thing someone did for you at UVA?

From homecooked Sunday dinners to grief support and rides to the hospital

Winter 2024

School Spirits

School Spirits

An abridged version of our longform feature about ghosts on Grounds

September 12, 2024

Queer History

Queer History

A condensed version of our deep-dive about LGBTQ+ history at UVA

September 11, 2024

School Spirits

School Spirits

A place with a 200-year history like UVA is bound to have tales to tell—tragedies, untimely deaths, unsettled lore.

Fall 2024

Queer History

Queer History

How students, faculty and community members worked together to build a more welcoming place

Fall 2024

UVA had its own boy in the boat

UVA had its own boy in the boat

Tom Amlong, who died in 2009 at age 73, is believed to be the first from UVA to climb atop the medal stand.

Fall 2024

What was the most important thing you brought to move-in?

What was the most important thing you brought to move-in?

From fans and dehumidifiers to Creole seasoning

Fall 2024

Early Chapel Life

Early Chapel Life

Very little documentation of the early years of the building, completed in 1890, exist. These postcards help fill the gap.

Summer 2024

Seeing the Chapel in a new light

Seeing the Chapel in a new light

Take a peek inside the newly renovated University Chapel

Summer 2024