Photos: How UVA Darden Grounds Look Now
More than two months into a most unusual academic year, the University of Virginia Darden School of Business community continues to work and learn amid the ongoing uncertainties posed by the coronavirus pandemic. Hybrid classes, with some students on Grounds and others attending virtually, have gone from novel to standard. Masks and hand sanitizer are ubiquitous, and seats are appropriately spaced. Still, Darden’s mission and values shine through. Below, find snapshots of how life looks on Darden Grounds in fall 2020, in both Charlottesville and at UVA Darden DC Metro.
The first days of school had a different feel this year, with many of the usual welcome events moved online. Still, faculty and staff did their best to help build community. Dean Scott Beardsley was among those welcoming students in-person and explaining some of the enhanced safety protocols around Grounds.
A variety of courses have been held at UVA Darden DC Metro, including Executive Education and Executive MBA classes. (Note the facemasks manufactured by the alumni-owned Rhoback).
Darden Grounds look a bit different, with greater spacing between tables in gathering spots such as South Lounge and frequent reminders of best practices.
Still, students are able to meet in-person, to discuss, argue and catch-up.
Students also found ways to maintain proud traditions and instill section pride, even if not all of the Lions could be physically in the same classroom at one time.
Coffee is still available before and between classes, although lines are shorter and hand sanitizer is a must.
As only an appropriate number of students are able to attend class in-person at one time, many others attend virtually. All are able to participate in classroom discussions.
Darden professors continue to bring their A-game every day, despite the added complexities.
And while parts of Grounds look quite different at the moment, as the leaves begin to fall from the trees, other parts remain timeless.
The University of Virginia Darden School of Business prepares responsible global leaders through unparalleled transformational learning experiences. Darden’s graduate degree programs (MBA, MSBA and Ph.D.) and Executive Education & Lifelong Learning programs offered by the Darden School Foundation set the stage for a lifetime of career advancement and impact. Darden’s top-ranked faculty, renowned for teaching excellence, inspires and shapes modern business leadership worldwide through research, thought leadership and business publishing. Darden has Grounds in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the Washington, D.C., area and a global community that includes 18,000 alumni in 90 countries. Darden was established in 1955 at the University of Virginia, a top public university founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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Molly Mitchell
Associate Director of Content Marketing and Social Media
Darden School of Business
University of Virginia
MitchellM@darden.virginia.edu
