Tullis, Paul Tudor Jones, and Lee and Elizabeth Ainslie made the challenge gift as a way to recognize Mr. and Mrs. Casteen’s service to the University community and in particular the Jefferson Scholars Foundation.  When he was Director of Admissions at the University in 1979, Casteen was instrumental in creating the Jefferson Scholars Program.  Acknowledged as one of the programs’ “founding fathers,” he envisioned the program creating a cadre of leaders, whose intellectual promise and leadership potential would bring distinction to the University and enrich the experience for all students.  Casteen viewed the Foundation as a “central driver of change and excellence in the University.”

The challenge gift will provide a permanent legacy for the Casteens within the University’s student community and enable the Foundation to recruit outstanding students. Those who wish to honor President and Mrs. Casteen for their service are encouraged to support this initiative.

By JANE PORTER

Wall Street Journal - February 18, 2010 - For military veterans in business school, making the transition to the corporate world often means navigating the uncharted terrain of résumé writing and networking.

While traditional M.B.A. students typically step into the job search with four to six years of private sector experience and a healthy network of peers and corporate mentors, veterans entering business school are often fresh out of military service, with little to no private sector experience.

They often fill their résumés with military speak that can make it difficult for recruiters to figure out what they bring to the table.

“It’s a different world of language,” says Jenifer Guimond, a former Navy pilot who graduates from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business in May. “The biggest challenge is translating our skill-set for the business community.”

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February 12, 2010 — The Gates Cambridge Trust, established by a donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, awards scholarships for graduate study at the University of Cambridge on the basis of intellectual ability, leadership capacity and desire to provide service to their communities. Jacobs’ scholarship is worth in excess of $140,000.

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Henry, 21, who will graduate in May with masters’ and bachelor’s degrees in environmental science, will be able to work in Asia for a year with the Luce award.

“When I heard I had won, I ran out of my Lawn room and dove into the snow,” Henry said. “I am very excited and very humbled, because the competition was so intense.”

The scholarship program provides stipends, language training and individualized professional placement in Asia for 15 to 18 American students who have had limited experience of Asia and who might not otherwise have an opportunity in the normal course of their careers to know and understand Asia.

Henry’s studies and research have focused on bio-energy, such as ethanol and dual-fuel coal and wood boilers, and she plans to pursue a doctorate in sustainable development. She said working in Asia will provide her with many opportunities.
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The Jefferson Scholars’ Foundation and the Jefferson Graduate Fellows at the University of Virginia present the second biannual Forum for Interdisciplinary Dialogue, Sept. 17 and 18, 2010. The Forum is an interdisciplinary conference for students, faculty, and community members from around the globe. The theme for 2010 is “Icons and Iconoclasm,” and we are pleased to have W. J. T. Mitchell, Professor of English and Art History at the University of Chicago and editor of Critical Inquiry, giving the keynote address.

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image courtesy of 2010 Forum for Interdisciplinary Dialogue

December 7, 2009 — It’s a bad time to be a working-class man with no college education. Such men have borne the brunt of job losses since 2007, and new research finds that men are 61 percent less likely to be happy in a marriage if they work fewer hours than their wives.

The study predicts that the so-called “mancession” will undercut marriage in working-class communities, furthering a “divorce divide” that has been growing since the 1980s between couples with college degrees and those with less education.

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B.A., University of Iowa (2006)

“The primary reason I decided to become a Jefferson Fellow was the tremendous opportunity of being part of organization that includes such a wide array of scholars, alumni, and University students with diverse interests, talents and perspectives. I really enjoy working with and exchanging ideas with all of the people I have met through the Jefferson Scholars Foundation and look forward to continued opportunities for connecting with many people and maintaining these connections throughout my career.

“Visiting the University of Virginia, meeting the current Fellows and non-fellows alike, I felt that students are happy here; there is a spirit of cooperation and conviviality that I didn’t encounter at other schools.”

B.A., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2004)

“Prior to the Jefferson Fellows Selection Weekend, I had mentally committed myself to attending the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.  Chicago’s prestige, being ranked #1 and #4 in the most often referenced MBA rankings at the time, was undeniable and very much appealed to me.  During the Jefferson Fellows Selection Weekend, however, I was introduced to a tremendous community of highly accomplished staff, students, faculty, and alumni at the University of Virginia that were not only supportive of but also engaged in the personal success of each Jefferson Fellow.

“The prestige of being included in the Jefferson Fellows network certainly equaled or exceeded the prestige of attending a higher-ranked school.  Jefferson Fellows selection negated the “prestige factor” in my decision and I instead focused on which school would best support my academic and career objectives and which community was a better personal fit.  In the end, the University won hands down.”

B.A., English and Philosophy, Tulane University (2005)

“Public service is very important to me; I left a job in the nonprofit sector because I thought I could make more of a difference in academia, whether through my scholarship or my teaching.  I am happy that the Jefferson Scholars Foundation supports the parallel goals of scholarship and service and am excited about what I can do with their support while I’m a Fellow and in my future career.

“In my case, the English department has a top-rated Ph.D. program that one might consider instead of an Ivy League school even without a Jefferson Fellowship.  Having the Fellowship provides the advantage of meeting people in other departments whom you may not otherwise meet, and there are increasing opportunities for interdisciplinary discussion.”

B.A., Music and English, University College Cork
M.Phil., Musicology, University College Cork
M.A., Sonic Arts, Queens University Belfast

“Before applying to graduate schools, I had heard really good things about U.Va. and I thought the Music Department would be a good match for me.  My biggest concern was that Charlottesville might be too far from major music scenes like New York.  Attending the Jefferson Fellowship selection weekend answered a lot of my questions about the University and showed me the advantages of living in Charlottesville.

“The financial aspect of the award means I can easily afford to travel for concerts and conferences.  I doubt that a musician would be considered for this type of award in Ireland, so I was very pleased to learn that the U.Va. community values the academic and practical work of artists and the social contribution we can make.”