The Blue Ridge Scholars now include more than 180 students, who are selected on the basis of strong academic potential and financial need. Pictured: first-year student Stephen Ross. 

Charlottesville’s new fire chief, Andrew Baxter, right, is a UVA School of Nursing alumnus, while his daughter, Kate, left, and wife, Barbara, are currently students there.

UVA graduate Desirée Davis Stolar, right, describes her product, Unshrinkit, during a recent taping of ABC’s “Shark Tank.” (Photo courtesy ABC.)

Current Ridley Scholars, top row from L-R: Jacob Uskavitch, Dominique Willis, Kiera Givens, Triston Smith, Ravynn Stringfield and Nena Evans. The second row, from left to right: Jasmine Zollar, Micah Watson, Tyler Ambrose, Bianca Decatur, Stephanie Durham