Month: September 2022

Here’s some happy news!

For the first time, Longwood is a top-five regional public university in the South, according to the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings released on Sept. 12.

Over the last decade, Longwood has charted a steady climb up the annual rankings, this year marking its first-ever appearance as the No. 5 public university in the South regional category and the seventh straight year in the top 10 in the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings.

The rankings rise coincides with a continued investment in small classes taught by full-time professors, a course of action few public universities have taken. More than two-thirds of Longwood classes have 20 or fewer students, the highest percentage of any Virginia public college or university.

Longwood’s latest U.S. News ranking continues the steady upward trajectory that spans the last decade. Since 2014, the university has climbed to No. 5 from No. 14 among public institutions in the South regional category. Among public and private regional universities, Longwood has climbed to No. 16 from No. 31 in that same time period.

The university has also maintained its rising trajectory in the Best Value in the South list, up more than 10 spots from two years ago to No. 35 overall.

You can read the full story, which includes Longwood’s position in some other notable rankings, here: http://www.longwood.edu/news/2022/rankings/

Feel free to deploy any of these “bragging points” when you’re talking with friends and family about universities your children are attending.

Having issues with Emergency Alerts?

We’ve heard from a few parents that they have signed up to receive Longwood emergency alerts but have not seen any so far. We’ve checked, and in almost all cases, there’s some missing information on the account —for example, a phone number or an email.

If you’re experiencing this issue, please check to make sure your account lists your email and cell number. Here’s how to do that:

• Log into https://longwood.omnilert.net using the username and password you have already created
• Make sure your cell phone number and carrier information is correct in the “SMS Numbers” box. You can add multiple cell numbers if you’d like.
• Make sure your email information is correct in the “Email Addresses” box. You can add multiple emails if you’d like.
• If you need to add a new SMS number or email address, make sure to click the “Add New” button or your information will not save.

 If you continue to experience issues, please email questions@longwood.edu, and we’ll help resolve them.

Family Weekend Music Showcase

I hope we’ll see you this weekend for Family Weekend and the Heart of Virginia Festival. If you’re looking for a place to get out of the heat, drop by Jarman Auditorium at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, for a showcase of Longwood student musicians (and a sprinkling of faculty and staff, including me!).

The Chamber Orchestra kicks off the program, which will also include performances by the Camerata Singers, the Wind Symphony and several other musical groups and soloists. The program should conclude about 2:15.

—Sabrina Brown

 

What do Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Frida Kahlo, Leonardo da Vinci and Frederick Douglass all have in common? Each of these famous figures kept a journal or diary to record their experiences, thoughts or feelings.

What do Longwood’s Greenwood Library and CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) have in common? They both care about your student’s well-being.

Now, you may be wondering, what’s the connection between journaling, the library and CAPS?

The library and CAPS have teamed up to offer a series of workshops for students aimed at enhancing their well-being and funded by a $19,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Next up is:

Writing for Well-Being: Journaling Workshop
1-2 p.m., Wednesday, September 7, Greenwood Library Children’s Literature Room

At tomorrow’s workshop, students will receive a free journal and learn about the benefits of journaling, which include reducing stress and anxiety. Here’s more from Kaiser Permanente about the benefits of journaling: https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/healtharticle.7-benefits-of-keeping-a-journal

Additional workshops scheduled for this semester:

Finding Meaning in Suffering: Authors’ Presentation
7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, Room 105 Radcliff Hall
Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren, a psychologist, and Sara Showalter Van Tongeren, a licensed clinical social worker, will discuss their book The Courage to Suffer: A New Clinical Framework for Life’s Greatest Crises. Their talk will touch on resilience, finding meaning in the struggle and mental health. The first 50 attendees to arrive will receive a free copy of the book.

Connections Through Crocheting
6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, Room 147 Greenwood Library

Hobbies are great ways to support mental health, and many people find crocheting a relaxing activity. In this class, participants will get started on a project with a simple pattern. All supplies will be provided. Registration is required and should be open online next month. If your student is interested, they can check the library website for the link to the registration form starting in early October. (Encourage your student to sign up even if there’s a waiting list—there will be another class soon!)

If you think your student would benefit from any or all of these programs, please encourage them to attend! And they’re also open to the community, so you are welcome as well!

—Sabrina Brown

 These programs are part of the project Well-Being in the Heart of Campus: Community Connections at Greenwood Library, a partnership between Greenwood Library and Longwood CAPS. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, ARPML-250933-OMLS-22.