People across the world, including Southwest and Central Virginia, are showing support for Ukraine since Russia invaded the country. Wednesday night, students at the University of Lynchburg hosted a prayer vigil for Ukrainians.
10 News spoke with Dr. Marek Payerhin, an international affairs professor at the University of Lynchburg to break down what you need to know about the situation in Eastern Europe and how it could affect America.
During Governor Ralph Northam’s 32-minute news conference Thursday, not once did he use the phrase ‘mask mandate’ while addressing the policy for grades K through 12 -- even when asked about it multiple times. That has many wondering if it was a political move ahead of November’s election.
LYNCHBURG, Va. – University of Lynchburg graduates from the Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 now have a reason to celebrate. University of Lynchburg President Alison Morrison-Shetlar announced on Thursday that the university plans to hold in-person ceremonies for both the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021. This announcement comes after members from the University of Lynchburg’s Class of 2020 expressed that they felt left out last week when the university announced its plans for an in-person graduation for the Class of 2021. “After such a long wait, it just seems like an in-person commencement is just the combination to this whole process. The University of Lynchburg asks that 2021 candidates and 2020 graduates fill out this form by March 29 to help the university in the planning process.
LYNCHBURG, Va. – As Virginia loosens COVID-19 restrictions for graduation ceremonies, there are concerns from members of the University of Lynchburg’s Class of 2020. Some 2020 graduates and their loved ones believe they’re being snubbed from having their own commencement ceremony on the University of Lynchburg’s campus. This comes as the university announced it’s planning a limited, in-person graduation for the Class of 2021. AdDeanna Yinger’s daughter, Emily, is also putting her degree to use, but this 2020 graduate’s mother wants to see her child walk the stage. “There just seems to be, really, a lack of discussion and outreach with the Class of 2020,” she said.
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The University of Lynchburg is the first in Virginia to reach carbon neutrality after years of striving to reduce its carbon footprint and become more environmentally sustainable, according to a release. Officials said that the university has made many efforts in the past to become more eco-friendly. From 2009 to 2010, the university invested $4.8 million into 21 conservation projects on its main campus, water consumption was lowered by 45% and electricity usage by 35% and in 2014, the university started buying green energy from Collegiate Clean Energy, according to the release. AdThe university said that Morrison-Shetlar recently signed the 2021 Presidents’ Climate Commitment and the university also joined the Climate Leadership Network. “It will also demonstrate to our students how to address global environmental challenges such as climate change.”
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Tuesday marked day one of the second Senate impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. Dr. David Richards, University of Lynchburg’s political science chair, said the process may be the same as the first trial, but he expects a speedier hearing this time. Senate Democrats need a two-thirds majority to find the former president guilty. Normal punishment would be removal from office, but of course, that’s not on the table. So, a second thing that they could do to him is to strip his right to run for office again,” explained Richards.
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Loved ones gathered Thursday morning to remember the life and legacy of Helen Mundy Witt, who died at the age of 88. In 1967, Witt became the first Black graduate of Lynchburg College – now known as the University of Lynchburg. Annette Stadtherr, director of the university’s multicultural services, said Witt spent her later years visiting the multicultural center with students. For her work, the university created the Helen Mundy Witt Multicultural Service Award – given to those creating a culture of inclusion on campus. Many more live in that shadow through the Helen Mundy Witt Society, dedicated to networking among the university’s Black alumni.
They’re finishing up their last week classes at Virginia Tech, and university leaders are asking students to enter a 14-day self-quarantine before traveling. Mark Owczarski, a Tech spokesperson, says COVID-19 testing is also available, but not mandatory. Spokesman Michael Jones said once students travel home, they’ll have an extended break through late January. “We determined that to minimize travel to and from, we’d begin our semester early and end at Thanksgiving,” said Jones. While COVID-19 testing is also optional, students are asked to quarantine.
That’s the last Democratic candidate that the city of Lynchburg supported in a presidential election. That may no longer be the case as current vote totals show that the Hill City backed Joe Biden in Tuesday’s election. University of Lynchburg political science chairman Dr. David Richards said one reason is the absence of Jerry Falwell Jr. We did not get to see whether or not Jerry Falwell Jr. would’ve had a rally, or maybe even gotten Trump to come to campus. Who knows what would’ve happened?”Richards also said other factors were the Lynchburg’s Democratic party being better organized this time around and younger voters moving into the Hill City.
LYNCHBURG, Va. Some students at the University of Lynchburg were relieved to be in the classroom Monday after two weeks of online learning. Its hard to do nursing online. The trio has been cautious in their on-campus house after they were forced to stay in because of a COVID-19 outbreak on campus. For instance, the outbreak on campus wasnt caused by large gatherings, but in the residential halls where students may have let their guards down. We havent experienced what theyve experienced at many institutions where large gatherings have students resulted in many positive cases several days later.
LYNCHBURG, Va. University of Lynchburg President Dr. Alison Morrison-Shetlar announced Wednesday that five students have tested positive for COVID-19. The five cases include two that were originally reported to the campus community on Tuesday. Four of the five reported cases are among students on campus. Alert Level 2 is defined by three or more active positive cases on campus. Morrison-Shetlar said the university will reassess the situation in a week and decide upon next steps.
LYNCHBURG, Va. A temperature check at the door is part of the new normal on the University of Lynchburgs campus. Walton said a majority of students are learning through a mix of online and face-to-face classes during the week. Mainly labs, one credit classes, activity-based classes that might be outside, Walton said. Youre safe if you come here. Youre safe if youre walking around the community to go to stores and every place because were taking the precautions we need to, David said.
LYNCHBURG, Va. Come next month, wearing a mask at the University of Lynchburg isnt the only requirement students and staff will have to follow. Every day, school officials are asking those coming to campus to check in on the app WorkSafe. It will ask students and staff a series of questions to see if they display COVID-19 symptoms. We believe thats a much better approach than having everybody come in, wait in the lobby, look in the classroom and then be asked and sent back, Carolyn Parent, president & CEO Live Safe, said. The university currently uses Live Safe to communicate with students for support, emergencies and security situations.
