1 00:00:01,260 --> 00:00:05,819 Looking back on this past year at the University of Virginia, we’ve had our lows, we’ve 2 00:00:05,820 --> 00:00:08,630 had our highs, and everything in between. 3 00:00:11,040 --> 00:00:15,860 But through it all, we’ve shown our community, and the world, that we are not just resilient, 4 00:00:15,860 --> 00:00:19,600 but that we can and we WILL lead….. 5 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:23,600 In the wake of the tragic events of August 11th and 12th, we reclaimed our Grounds with 6 00:00:23,700 --> 00:00:30,560 a candlelight vigil, rejecting hate, and showing the world that we are strongest as a community when we stand together. 7 00:00:30,560 --> 00:00:35,520 And one month later, we had 50,000 people come together for the Concert for Charlottesville, 8 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:38,460 where some of the world’s most incredible performers created 9 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:41,700 an unforgettable evening of unity and healing. 10 00:00:42,240 --> 00:00:44,900 Now, let’s take a look at some of the other remarkable feats that happened 11 00:00:45,180 --> 00:00:47,260 right here on Grounds: 12 00:00:47,260 --> 00:00:51,670 In October, the University began its commemoration of the Bicentennial. 13 00:00:51,670 --> 00:00:57,719 Generations of alums joined students, faculty, staff and friends of the University to celebrate 14 00:00:57,719 --> 00:01:01,500 the momentous event and look forward to the next century. 15 00:01:01,500 --> 00:01:05,920 And speaking of our next century, we will be starting it off under a new President, 16 00:01:05,920 --> 00:01:11,020 as UVA Law School Alum, James Ryan, was announced as our 9th president of the University. 17 00:01:11,180 --> 00:01:13,140 Welcome back to grounds! 18 00:01:13,180 --> 00:01:16,460 And a heartfelt thank you to President Teresa Sullivan. 19 00:01:16,740 --> 00:01:20,220 Not long after that the Board of Visitors approved the construction of a Memorial to 20 00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:23,160 enslaved laborers at the University. 21 00:01:23,160 --> 00:01:25,980 We also had our 14th annual Pancakes for Parkinson’s event, 22 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:29,900 yet again one of UVA’s largest philanthropic efforts. 23 00:01:29,900 --> 00:01:32,500 And you could say it was pretty good 24 00:01:32,500 --> 00:01:38,040 And speaking of giving back, the UVA family set a new record on Giving To Hoos Day, 25 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:43,340 raising more than $4 million in a single 24-hour period. 26 00:01:43,340 --> 00:01:47,590 And every year it seems like the kids at Trick or Treating on the Lawn find even more creative 27 00:01:47,590 --> 00:01:50,330 ways to dress up as their favorite heroes and characters. 28 00:01:50,330 --> 00:01:53,230 Even I couldn’t help being a part of the fun! 29 00:01:53,230 --> 00:01:55,520 Then we wrapped up the year with Lighting of the Lawn, where we saw 30 00:01:55,700 --> 00:01:58,340 our largest crowd EVER! 31 00:01:58,340 --> 00:02:03,500 And of course, we can’t forget the outstanding accomplishments of our athletic community: 32 00:02:03,500 --> 00:02:06,840 Carla Williams joined our ranks as the new Athletics Director, 33 00:02:07,100 --> 00:02:09,680 and very quickly saw UVA at its finest: 34 00:02:10,020 --> 00:02:13,160 Athletes from across grounds made sure we were well represented 35 00:02:13,380 --> 00:02:15,860 in ACC and NCAA tournaments this year. 36 00:02:15,860 --> 00:02:18,320 Our football team qualified for the Military Bowl, making our first 37 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:21,280 Bowl game appearance since 2011. 38 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:25,380 And as always, our men’s basketball team gave us all the season of a lifetime, as we 39 00:02:25,380 --> 00:02:30,799 became the first NCAA team to start unranked and finish the regular season in the number 40 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:35,139 one slot, and then went on to beat UNC for the ACC Championship. 41 00:02:35,140 --> 00:02:39,000 And ESPN returned to grounds yet again, for another College Gameday with 42 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:42,540 the greatest fans in the acc. 43 00:02:43,920 --> 00:02:47,340 And of course… academics and research always shine here. 44 00:02:47,340 --> 00:02:52,560 Two of our students, Attiya Latif and Jack Chellman, won Marshall Scholarships. 45 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:57,599 Another twelve UVA students and alumni won Fulbright scholarships this academic year, 46 00:02:57,599 --> 00:03:01,239 making UVA one of the top Fulbright universities in the country. 47 00:03:01,239 --> 00:03:02,419 As for research? 48 00:03:02,419 --> 00:03:03,590 Well, it’s everywhere. 49 00:03:03,590 --> 00:03:08,290 Our professors and students are working on breakthroughs in the treatment of diabetes, 50 00:03:08,290 --> 00:03:12,320 helping Virginia’s coastal communities handle rising sea levels, and working to envision 51 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:16,400 a world filled with self-driving cars, the list is pretty much endless. 52 00:03:16,410 --> 00:03:20,970 And finally, this will be my last video appearance for UVA, as the class of 2018 and I are packing 53 00:03:20,970 --> 00:03:26,340 up the textbooks and picking up the tassels for our final walk down the Lawn. 54 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:32,700 But know that as we leave this University, and travel near and far, we take a piece of 55 00:03:32,800 --> 00:03:36,040 it with us, both in our memories and in our hearts, 56 00:03:36,300 --> 00:03:39,420 and we will always have a home to return to. 57 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:41,260 Wa Hoo Wa.