University of Virginia facts for kids
The University of Virginia is a well-known public research university. It is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, in the United States.
The special buildings at the university were designed by Thomas Jefferson. They are so important that they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means they are recognized globally for their historical and cultural value.
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History of UVA
The University of Virginia was started by Thomas Jefferson. He was a very important person in American history. He was one of the Founding Fathers and the third President of the United States.
Jefferson first thought of creating this university around 1800. It was officially established in 1819. His idea was to create a place where students could learn many different subjects.
Early Leaders of the University
Thomas Jefferson was not only the founder but also the first leader, called the Rector. After him, another important historical figure, James Madison, became the second Rector. Madison was also a former U.S. President. He led the university until 1836.
Later, Edwin Alderman became UVA's first president. He served from 1904 to 1931. He made many changes to make the university more modern.
Modern Leadership
More recently, Teresa A. Sullivan was the president of the university. She met with important people like U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry during her time as president.
Life and Learning at UVA
The University of Virginia is known for its beautiful campus and strong academic programs. Students come from all over to study here.
Campus Buildings and Libraries
The campus has many impressive buildings. The "Lawn" is a famous area with green spaces and historic buildings. The university also has many libraries.
Alderman Library is one of eleven libraries at UVA. It holds about 1.7 million books! Many students and visitors use its resources every year.
Research and Innovation
UVA is a research university, meaning its professors and students work on new discoveries. For example, recent research at UVA helped to "redraw the map" of the human lymphatic system. This is an important part of our body's defense system.
Student Life and Traditions
Students at UVA have many ways to get involved. There are many clubs and activities. The university also has some unique traditions.
One interesting part of UVA's history is its "secret societies." These are groups of students who meet privately and often work to support the university in different ways.
The university also has its own bus service, called the University Transit Service. These buses help students get around campus.
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Sports at UVA
UVA has strong sports teams, known as the Cavaliers. They compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The UVA lacrosse team has won many national championships. They have earned nine national titles since the NCAA started overseeing the sport.
The men's basketball team is also very successful. They won the 2019 NCAA Tournament Championship, which is a huge achievement in college basketball. Tony Bennett is the successful coach of the men's basketball team.
Notable People from UVA
Many talented people have been part of the University of Virginia.
Professors and Researchers
Kathryn C. Thornton is a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at UVA. She was also a NASA astronaut! She held the record for the most spacewalks by a woman for many years.
Rita Dove is an English professor at UVA. She is a very famous poet. She was the first African American United States Poet Laureate. She has won many awards for her writing, including the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.
Related pages
- Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities, part of the University of Virgina
- List of World Heritage Sites in the United States
Images for kids
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Thomas Jefferson, the university's founder, by Charles Willson Peale (1791)
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James Madison was the 2nd rector of the University of Virginia until 1836.
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Edwin Alderman was UVA's first president between 1904 and 1931, and instituted many reforms toward modernization.
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President Sullivan speaking with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in front of the Rotunda in 2013
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Winter view toward the South Lawn
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Inside the Law Library
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Recessed windows of the monolithic Hereford College, which won praise from The New York Times as "more different from Jefferson than anything built at the University in generations, but it rises to challenge him."
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Alderman Library is home to 1.7 million books. It is one of eleven libraries at UVA, and hosts one-third of the 1.9 million visitors to the system each year as of 2018.
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Recent UVA research "redrew the map" of the human lymphatic system, shown here in the 1858 Gray's Anatomy.
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The mark of one out of many secret societies active on Grounds at the university
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Northline Express (NLX) bus of the University Transit Service, with signage celebrating victory at the 2019 NCAA Tournament Championship ("March Madness")
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UVA lacrosse has won 11 national championships, including nine national titles since NCAA oversight began.
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Tony Bennett has a winning record against each of UVA's official ACC rivals.
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Kathryn C. Thornton, mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering professor, held the record for most NASA spacewalks by a woman until 2006.
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English professor Rita Dove is the first African American United States Poet Laureate and has been awarded the National Humanities Medal, National Medal of Arts, and Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.
See also
In Spanish: Universidad de Virginia para niños
