Digest -- U.Va. Top News Daily

More than 1,500 teddy bears received “Well Bear Care” at the U.Va. Health System’s Kluge Children’s Rehabilitation Center on April 22. Children in preschool, kindergarten and first grade took field trips to the center with their teddy bears, dolls or other stuffed animals to learn about basic components of well checkups at the doctor’s office. With the help of about 300 volunteers, including nursing students from U.Va., Piedmont Virginia Community College and James Madison University, they checked height and weight, eyes and ears, gave shots and listened for heartbeats. Many prescriptions for hugs also were given. (April 27)

Dan Addison

Dean Carl Zeithaml

McIntire School of Commerce plans to return home
On April 22, the McIntire School of Commerce took another step in its plans to return to the Lawn. McIntire Dean Carl P. Zeithaml (right), University President John T. Casteen III and many administrators and supporters of the Commerce School attended a ground-breaking ceremony at Rouss Hall, which will be the school’s new home after a 132,000-square-foot addition is built. The new space will have state-of-the-art technology in the classrooms and laboratories, open corridors and a courtyard to “enhance faculty/student interaction,” Zeithaml said. He also singled out the late Ellen M. Whitener, dean of faculty at McIntire who died recently, in his various thank-yous. The Office of the Dean of Faculty in the new building will be named after her, he said. (April 26)

Freeman Stresses Positive Communication
With a combination of stand-up comedy, pantomime and practical advice, Marja Lee Freeman presented an inspirational message about communication in the work place on April 25 at the Exceptional Assistant Network’s third annual professional development conference at the Omni Hotel. About half of the 270-member audience consisted of U.Va. employees, with the rest coming from cities and counties in the region. Freeman, a consultant who specializes in employment training and career development, said her primary objective was to tell people to communicate like a leader, inspire coworkers and communicate with clarity. She presented her message with examples from her own career, which includes being a court stenographer and an office worker in the U.S. Army. Freeman’s message was that people should be aware of their communication style and how it affects themselves and others. “You don’t have to like people to communicate with them effectively,” she said. “It’s professional, not personal.” The Leadership Development Center’s 12-member advisory board coordinated the conference. (April 26)