IATH’s digital decade: Bringing visions to life
With the help of Sarah Parson Wells of U.Va.’s Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities, drama professor LaVahn Hoh is bringing his research project on the history of American circus to life through a new digital archive. Each year, the institute selects a handful of projects and provides the faculty involved with the financial support and computer technologies to realize their visions. (March 10)

Emery: Divorce and how it affects the children
In an ideal world, all children would grow up in happy, two-parent homes. In the real world, lots of children don’t have that option. The emphasis is on the happy, according to Robert Emery, director of the U.Va. Center for Children, Families and the Law. Most children of
divorce have no problem adjusting emotionally to the split, but many of them do. Parents can ease the burden of divorce by recognizing that, regardless of the hurt, anger, grief and betrayal they may be feeling toward their former spouse, they still have a responsibility to their children and need to work together with that former spouse for the sake of the kids. (March 8)

Kaplan to leave U.Va.-Wise for University of New Haven
Steven H. Kaplan, chancellor of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, will step down from his post this summer to become president of the University of New Haven in West Haven, Conn. “I announce my departure from the College at Wise with pride in all we have accomplished together over the past three years,” Kaplan said in a letter to faculty, staff and students. (March 12-15)

Fighting back: Political arena beneficial to mental health
Experiencing psychological distress? Try getting involved in politics. Making your voice heard in the political realm can offset depression, says Lynn Sanders, an associate professor in politics at U.Va. Sanders’ findings show a link between political involvement and one’s psychological wellbeing — and the more combative the political discourse, the more beneficial it is for one’s mental health. (March 18)