News

In her new book, “Deprived of Sense and Intellect,” VCU professor Leigh Ann Craig asks both what medieval thinkers understood a mind to be — and what signified its loss. (Contributed photo)

What do the Middle Ages tell us about mental health then and now? VCU historian Leigh Ann Craig has answers

July 6, 2026

In her new book, ‘Deprived of Sense and Intellect,’ she examines sanity, demons, the complexity of medieval diagnostics and modern tie-ins.

Matthew Tuckner’s debut full-length poetry collection, “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,” compels readers to navigate philosophy, history and ecological collapses amid the vast expanses of private grief and longings. (Four Way Books)

Matthew Tuckner wins 29th annual Levis Reading Prize for ‘The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire’

July 6, 2026

His debut full-length poetry collection is selected by the MFA in Creative Writing program at VCU.

St. John’s Church, which was built in 1741, is the oldest church in Richmond. (Getty Images)

Understanding the role of faith and religion in the founding of the United States

July 2, 2026

American independence took root amid religious diversity and differences, VCU history professor Ryan Smith says.

Olufunke Grace Bankole’s debut novel, ‘The Edge of Water,’ is an emotionally resonant story of three generations of Nigerian women. (Tin House)

Olufunke Grace Bankole wins the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award for ‘The Edge of Water’

July 1, 2026

She will receive the prize, which is now in its 25th year, during a public event at VCU on Nov. 12.

VCU expert R. Andrew Chesnut shared his thoughts on the recent flare-up in the Catholic Church between traditionalists and the pope. (Getty Images)

Catholic Church faces flare-up this week between traditionalists and the pope

July 1, 2026

VCU expert R. Andrew Chesnut offers insight into the Society of St. Pius X and the challenge to papal authority.

Anthropology and biology major manages humanitarian work at home and abroad

June 29, 2026

Isra’a Nour (B.S.’15) serves as a project manager at Open Society Foundations, a nonprofit organization focused on human rights, equity, and justice, where she supports advocacy work.

Latino Virginia project captures untold oral history

June 25, 2026

The project, led by sociology professor Gabriela León-Pérez and history professor Daniel Morales, has collected over 140 interviews with Virginians who share a background or heritage in Latin America.

As both an undergraduate and dental student, Sara Khraibut formed close relationships at VCU and grew as a person and clinician.(School of Dentistry)

Periodontist Sara Khraibut returns to Kuwait after 11 years, 2 degrees and 1 residency at VCU

June 24, 2026

Khraibut, who will work for the Ministry of Health in her home country, said VCU has ‘helped shape me into the person I am today.’

John Jones, who is pictured stocking a Ram Fridge, is the principal investigator for a $1.04 million grant to launch a coordinated initiative to reduce food waste across VCU and VCU Health. (Thomas Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

New initiative to reduce food waste, increase composting at VCU and VCU Health

June 18, 2026

The Food Rescue and Composting initiative aims to reduce an estimated more than 120,000 pounds of food waste.

After completing her Ph.D., Milan Marsh hopes to begin a career in industry, applying mathematical modeling to real-word problems. (Contributed image)

VCU and math have long been part of the equation for systems modeling student Milan Marsh

June 16, 2026

A high school program on campus helped propel her Ph.D. studies, which touch on biology and disease.