The University of Richmond, has announced its new director, Deborah Sommers. She will replace former executive director Kathy Panoff.  UR’s The Collegian reports:

She will take on her new position July 1. Sommers will be responsible for a number of performances and events at the Modlin Center including: the 45-event Great Performances Series, three main stage productions by the university’s theatre and dance department and the University Players and Dancers, 30 musical performances in the Department of Music’s Free Concert Series as well as community events and performances throughout the year. Sommers also will direct and teach Richmond’s arts management program.

Or, read  the full story.

The 2010 North American Open Pro Squash Tournament kicks off this Sunday, February 21 at University of Richmond’s Millhiser Gymnasium. Thirty-two of the world’s best squash players, including the top 12 in the world, return to Richmond to compete for a prize of nearly $100,000.  Tickets start at $10.

The schedule of events is as follows:

Sunday, February 21 12-9 PM First round matches

Monday, February 22 12-9 PM First round matches

Tuesday, February 23 5-9 PM Second round matches

Wednesday, February 24 5-9 PM Second round matches

Thursday, February 25 5-9 PM Quarterfinal matches

Friday, February 26 6-8 PM Semifinal matches

Saturday, February 27 3:30-4 PM  Boys Junior Exhibition

4-5 PM   Women’s Pro Exhibition 5-6 PM

Looks like it is going to be a great weekend for all the wonderful great outdoors activities going on. Actually there are so many great things going on, I just might have trouble deciding what to do.  The Seventh Street Christian Church is hosting Arts on the Grove on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Events include a juried art show, music, food, a moon bounce, childen’s activties,  trial rides on Segways and more.  On Sunday, The University of Richmond hosts Arts Around the Lake from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Arts Around the Lake features juried artists selling their art work in a beautiful setting, around Westhampton Lake.

Elsewhere in town: the Second Street Festival will attract crowds from all over the region to Jackson Ward.  Also of note is Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s annual Rose Fest, featuring 1,800 roses in bloom, tango on Saturday and free roses for the first 100 people on Sunday. In interest of full disclosure, I should mention, I also work at Lewis Ginter.

Congrats to the University of Richmond for overtaking James Madison University in UR’s only home swim meet.

Jimmy Young of the UR Collegian reports:

The Richmond swimming and diving team trumped James Madison University 167-127 Saturday in front of a raucous crowd at the Robins Center Natatorium, led by three seniors competing in their final home meet, and several freshmen swimming in their first.

The Spiders, who hope to capture their eighth consecutive Atlantic 10 Conference Championship Feb. 17 to 21 in Buffalo, N.Y., honored seniors Lauren Beaudreau, Cara Smaniotto and Julia Bizer before the meet. Coach Matt Barany spoke highly of all three athletes, praising them for their abilities and leadership.

Picture by Ben Weinstein/The Collegian – Freshman Michelle Johnson (left) finished fifth in the 200 butterfly in 2:14.12. She also finished fifth in the 1000 freestyle in 10:38.95.

Today, Wednesday October 1st, Barack Obama and John McCain’s top energy advisors will be debating at the University of Richmond Law School. What better way to get your questions answered about what Obama and McCain plan on doing! There is no better way to show what we want from a clean energy future than to speak directly to the people who write the policies during your lunchbreak!!

WHEN: Wednesday October 1st, 12:15 PM
WHERE: University of Richmond School of Law, Moot Court Room
Directions: http://www.richmond.edu/visit/directions
Map of campus: http://www.richmond.edu/visit/directions/campusmap.pdf

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – Mandy Friend used her junior season to set new standards for the Richmond women’s lacrosse program.  Friend has been named to the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Association’s All-South Regional Second Team.  The native of Canandaigua, N.Y. also set six new records this season as a Spider, breaking four single-season bests and two career highs. 

 This is the third-straight IWLCA All-Regional honor for the midfielder.  Friend was named to First Team in both her freshman and sophomore seasons.  Also in her first two years at Richmond Friend picked up Third Team All-American and Rookie All-American honors her first year along with a spot on the All-American Second Team as a sophomore.

 

Besides earning national recognition for her play in 2008, Friend has set six new school records at Richmond.  The junior is now the owner of three single-season records in Spider history.  In 2007, Friend scored 62 goals, taking over the top spot from Caroline McGuire.    

 [via UR press release]

Photo is from twitter.

Officials at the University of Richmond tonight say the area has been thoroughly searched and they do not believe a suspected armed man spotted in the library earlier today is on campus or in the neighborhood.

“Police feel the suspect has left the campus and the area,” said university spokesman Brian Eckert.

Authorities, however, are continuing their investigation while the school will reopen as scheduled Wednesday.

The university is asking employees, faculty and students to be vigilant and report any suspicious behavior. Also, Eckert said, there will be extra patrols overnight and tomorrow.

After first checking Boatwright Library, where the man was reported seen between 2:30 and 2:45 p.m., police inspected other buildings on the locked-down campus and the neighborhood, Richmond Police Chief Rodney Monroe said earlier tonight.

[via]