The University of Richmond has announced it will be closed Monday, January 18th to allow the campus community to engage in physically-distanced service activities celebrating MLK Day.

Historically, UR celebrates the life and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through a day filled with service opportunities completed alongside the greater Richmond community. Due to COVID-19, this year’s MLK Day events will foster opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to volunteer virtually by working on project kits developed by the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement. The kits entail projects such as transcribing documents from the Library of Virginia; creating birthday cards for Celebrate! RVA; making toys for the ASPCA; writing letters to elected officials; and more.

The community will also have the opportunity to use the Book Arts Studio’s printing press on MLK Day, to create book art and journals that align with this year’s theme, “The Revolution Then And Now: A Time of Healing.”

Virtual events, such as luncheons and meditation sessions, are slated to take place on Zoom throughout the week in order to bring the campus community together to pause, reflect, and discuss the legacy of Martin Luther King and what it means to heal.

“In the wake of two pandemics — COVID-19 and social injustice — we’re encouraging our community to reflect on what it will mean to heal as we look to the future and explore the ways that we can better impact the lives of those in our community and beyond who experience social injustices and are fighting their own individual revolution,” said Morgan Russell, associate director of multicultural affairs and event organizer.

Full details about UR’s MLK Day celebration are available at richmond.edu/mlk.

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When it is safe to travel again, the Richmond region will be on top of many people’s vacation plan lists.

Richmond was named as one of the “50 Best Places to Travel in 2021” this month by Travel + Leisure, one of the country’s leading magazines covering domestic and international travel.

The designation is significant for the region, according to Richmond Region Tourism, the nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the Region to meeting, convention and sports event planners, tour operators and leisure travelers.

“We know national recognition helps drive interest and visitors to our region,” said Jack Berry, Richmond Region Tourism’s President & CEO. “As we look to the future, we know the health of our region’s economy depends on a strong travel sector. Our team is actively working with partners to welcome visitors back to the region when it is safe to do so.”

Richmond Region Tourism launched TravelSafeRVA.com as a resource for visitors to navigate safety protocols when traveling in the future.

Travel + Leisure noted Richmond’s focus on inclusion, public art and central location as reasons to visit:

“One of 2020’s most indelible images, and the one that best captured the changing identity of Richmond, was that of Marcus-David Peters Circle on Monument Avenue: A statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee astride a horse, its stone plinth a kaleidoscope of tags in support of Black Lives Matter. Now, with the statue’s removal in the works, Richmond is looking toward a new, more inclusive future. Virginia’s governor announced a proposal to allot $10 million in state funding to redesign the site, along with the stretches of Monument Avenue that once held similar tributes to Confederate figures. Another $9 million is proposed to help improve Richmond’s existing Slave Trail and establish a Slavery Heritage Site. Elsewhere in the city, look for public art created this year as part of Mending Walls RVA, a project spearheaded by muralist Hamilton Glass that brings together artists from disparate backgrounds to create murals around Richmond. Newly launched nonstop flights from Florida, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles will make visiting in 2021 a breeze, and Richmond’s location — within easy reach of Charlottesville, Virginia Beach, and wine country — makes it an ideal home base for a lengthier exploration of the state.”

Earlier this year, Richmond Region Tourism released its 10-year strategic plan aimed at responsibly growing the region’s tourism industry while supporting quality of life for residents. “Richmond Region 2030” focuses on experience development, infrastructure investments, and hospitality industry advocacy. The plan will be an important roadmap as the region’s tourism economy rebounds.

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Four University of Richmond students have been offered Gilman scholarships to support their study abroad experiences in 2021. Students will complete their experiences based on travel conditions and program adjustments in line with the global pandemic.

The latest Gilman recipients include:

• Hannah Hald, a sophomore from Powhatan, Virginia. Hald intends to complete the award in China.
• Marie “Mako” Inasaridze a junior from Lorton, Virginia. Inasaridze is majoring in global studies and intends to complete the award in France.
• Eva Kemal, a junior from Woodbridge, Virginia. Kemal is double majoring in leadership studies and healthcare studies and intends to complete the award in England and Jamaica.
• Nicky Ramirez, a sophomore from North Bergen, New Jersey. Ramirez is double majoring in biology and Latin American, Latino, and Iberian Studies and intends to complete the award in Switzerland.

Additionally, Morgan Malstead, a junior from Stanton, Kentucky, has been named an alternate and may receive an award at a later date.

“Even in the face of global travel restrictions, UR students and our Office of International Education are finding innovative ways to make study abroad possible. The Gilman’s recognition of these Richmond students is a testament to their dedication to becoming global citizens,” said Dana Kuchem, director of the Office of Scholars and Fellowships.

More than 65 percent of University of Richmond students complete a study abroad experience before graduating.

University of Richmond has had 47 Gilman Scholars since the program started in 2001.

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