UVA's Bicentennial Stories initiative from WTJU 91.1 FM tells our collective story. It helps us understand our shared history and make meaning in the University today. And as we look ahead, these stories help us shape the future of the University and our role in a democratic society.

Jim Gilmore, former governor of Virginia and 1971 graduate of UVa:

“Well the university had always been an island of reasonableness, gentlemanliness, and it was radically changed at the time of the student riots.

“I was present at the time that the students surrounded Carr’s Hill and threatened the president of the university. I was there when they marched off to the ROTC building to try and set it on fire.

“I was there during the boycott of the classes, which was very frustrating to me, because I was the first person in my family who had ever gone to college. So I didn’t think it was appropriate for the university to play a social role by denying the education to students like me who wanted to go to college.”

For more: www.uvastories.org

UVA's Bicentennial Stories initiative from WTJU 91.1 FM tells our collective story. It helps us understand our shared history and make meaning in the University today. And as we look ahead, these stories help us shape the future of the University and our role in a democratic society.

Jim Gilmore, former governor of Virginia and 1971 graduate of UVa:

“Well the university had always been an island of reasonableness, gentlemanliness, and it was radically changed at the time of the student riots.

“I was present at the time that the students surrounded Carr’s Hill and threatened the president of the university. I was there when they marched off to the ROTC building to try and set it on fire.

“I was there during the boycott of the classes, which was very frustrating to me, because I was the first person in my family who had ever gone to college. So I didn’t think it was appropriate for the university to play a social role by denying the education to students like me who wanted to go to college.”

For more: www.uvastories.org

UVA's Bicentennial Stories initiative from WTJU 91.1 FM tells our collective story. It helps us understand our shared history and make meaning in the University today. And as we look ahead, these stories help us shape the future of the University and our role in a democratic society.

Jim Gilmore, former governor of Virginia and 1971 graduate of UVa:

“Well, at the time, the University Republicans were very broad-based, they had hundreds of members, they were very active in the community politically.

“They knew how to go out and actually visit with voters out in the communities and took responsibility for precincts to try and produce better results in Charlottesville. The University Republicans were well respected, they were smart and good people.

“So it wasn’t a challenge then. I think that the intolerance of today’s world, where conservative students are often dismissed or even insulted, is more of a modern phenomenon, it didn’t exist then so much.”

For more: www.uvastories.org

UVA's Bicentennial Stories initiative from WTJU 91.1 FM tells our collective story. It helps us understand our shared history and make meaning in the University today. And as we look ahead, these stories help us shape the future of the University and our role in a democratic society.

Jim Gilmore, former governor of Virginia and 1971 graduate of UVa:

“Well, at the time, the University Republicans were very broad-based, they had hundreds of members, they were very active in the community politically.

“They knew how to go out and actually visit with voters out in the communities and took responsibility for precincts to try and produce better results in Charlottesville. The University Republicans were well respected, they were smart and good people.

“So it wasn’t a challenge then. I think that the intolerance of today’s world, where conservative students are often dismissed or even insulted, is more of a modern phenomenon, it didn’t exist then so much.”

For more: www.uvastories.org

UVA's Bicentennial Stories initiative from WTJU 91.1 FM tells our collective story. It helps us understand our shared history and make meaning in the University today. And as we look ahead, these stories help us shape the future of the University and our role in a democratic society.

Jess Wenger, Environmental Projects Manager, Facilities Management, and 2004 UVa Graduate

“9/11 happened then, and so the first Lighting of the Lawn happened while I was a student.

“It was such a difficult time that semester, you know, they were like, do we cancel classes? Like, how do people handle this? You know, we were all kind of shell-shocked.

“So it was just decided, like, hey, let’s do a fun community event to remind each other, you know, there are bad things in the world but we’re all still here together and we’re here to support each other.

“It’s been fantastic seeing how the tradition has continued and grown over the years. And, you know, now they’ve got fancy electronic displays and back then then we were just like happy with a couple of string lights on the Rotunda and we were like, ‘This is amazing!’

“And now you look at the displays and you think, ‘Wow, what we did was kind of not that impressive.’ But at the same time, it was important and it was something that we all really needed.”

For more: www.uvastories.org

UVA's Bicentennial Stories initiative from WTJU 91.1 FM tells our collective story. It helps us understand our shared history and make meaning in the University today. And as we look ahead, these stories help us shape the future of the University and our role in a democratic society.

Jess Wenger, Environmental Projects Manager, Facilities Management, and 2004 UVa Graduate

“9/11 happened then, and so the first Lighting of the Lawn happened while I was a student.

“It was such a difficult time that semester, you know, they were like, do we cancel classes? Like, how do people handle this? You know, we were all kind of shell-shocked.

“So it was just decided, like, hey, let’s do a fun community event to remind each other, you know, there are bad things in the world but we’re all still here together and we’re here to support each other.

“It’s been fantastic seeing how the tradition has continued and grown over the years. And, you know, now they’ve got fancy electronic displays and back then then we were just like happy with a couple of string lights on the Rotunda and we were like, ‘This is amazing!’

“And now you look at the displays and you think, ‘Wow, what we did was kind of not that impressive.’ But at the same time, it was important and it was something that we all really needed.”

For more: www.uvastories.org

UVA's Bicentennial Stories initiative from WTJU 91.1 FM tells our collective story. It helps us understand our shared history and make meaning in the University today. And as we look ahead, these stories help us shape the future of the University and our role in a democratic society.

Jess Wenger, Environmental Projects Manager, Facilities Management, and 2004 UVa Graduate

Interviewer: “I know you came to school here, but do you remember when you first became aware of UVa?”

Wenger: “Yes. My parents came here for a wedding when I was in 7th grade and I came along with them and we went to the Corner.

“Plan 9 was still there, back when used records were a cool thing and used CDs were a cool thing, and I bought a really cool REM poster because they were my favorite band at the time, and I was just wandering around like, ‘This place has the best vibe!’ and so I looked at my parents, and I’m in 7th grade, and go, like, ‘Is there a college here I can go to?’

“And my dad said, ‘Well, it’s University of Virginia, it’s one of the best schools in the state so you’re going to have get really good grades and work really hard, but, you know, maybe someday you can go here.’

“And so I was like, ‘Okay, done. That’s what I’m going to do.’ And so here I am.”

For more: www.uvastories.org

UVA's Bicentennial Stories initiative from WTJU 91.1 FM tells our collective story. It helps us understand our shared history and make meaning in the University today. And as we look ahead, these stories help us shape the future of the University and our role in a democratic society.

Jess Wenger, Environmental Projects Manager, Facilities Management, and 2004 UVa Graduate

Interviewer: “I know you came to school here, but do you remember when you first became aware of UVa?”

Wenger: “Yes. My parents came here for a wedding when I was in 7th grade and I came along with them and we went to the Corner.

“Plan 9 was still there, back when used records were a cool thing and used CDs were a cool thing, and I bought a really cool REM poster because they were my favorite band at the time, and I was just wandering around like, ‘This place has the best vibe!’ and so I looked at my parents, and I’m in 7th grade, and go, like, ‘Is there a college here I can go to?’

“And my dad said, ‘Well, it’s University of Virginia, it’s one of the best schools in the state so you’re going to have get really good grades and work really hard, but, you know, maybe someday you can go here.’

“And so I was like, ‘Okay, done. That’s what I’m going to do.’ And so here I am.”

For more: www.uvastories.org

UVA's Bicentennial Stories initiative from WTJU 91.1 FM tells our collective story. It helps us understand our shared history and make meaning in the University today. And as we look ahead, these stories help us shape the future of the University and our role in a democratic society.

Jess Wenger, Environmental Projects Manager, Facilities Management, and 2004 UVa Graduate

Interviewer: “Why did you choose the major you did?”

Wenger: “I like rocks.”

“I graduated from undergrad in 2004 with an Environmental Science degree and then I started working here about a month later.

“My mom tells a story that when she used to pull me around in a little red wagon, I’d pick up all the rocks and put them in the wagon with me and play with the rocks and they were my little treasures, so I’ve been collecting rocks since a young age.

“And I came to the University with no idea what I wanted to study, but I figured it’s a big school, there are lots of degrees, I’m sure I’ll find my niche somewhere. I took an Environmental Science class as one of the science requirements during my first year and I was like, ‘This is kind of fascinating. Maybe this should be my degree.’ Then I took a geology class and I was like, ‘This is my degree!’

For more: www.uvastories.org

UVA's Bicentennial Stories initiative from WTJU 91.1 FM tells our collective story. It helps us understand our shared history and make meaning in the University today. And as we look ahead, these stories help us shape the future of the University and our role in a democratic society.

Jess Wenger, Environmental Projects Manager, Facilities Management, and 2004 UVa Graduate

Interviewer: “Why did you choose the major you did?”

Wenger: “I like rocks.”

“I graduated from undergrad in 2004 with an Environmental Science degree and then I started working here about a month later.

“My mom tells a story that when she used to pull me around in a little red wagon, I’d pick up all the rocks and put them in the wagon with me and play with the rocks and they were my little treasures, so I’ve been collecting rocks since a young age.

“And I came to the University with no idea what I wanted to study, but I figured it’s a big school, there are lots of degrees, I’m sure I’ll find my niche somewhere. I took an Environmental Science class as one of the science requirements during my first year and I was like, ‘This is kind of fascinating. Maybe this should be my degree.’ Then I took a geology class and I was like, ‘This is my degree!’

For more: www.uvastories.org