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Student Stories

911

As the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks approaches, Batten student Jane Frankel (BA '22) and alum Matt Gillam (BA '21) share their impressions of 9/11 and its lasting influences.

Batten Builds 2021

After a challenging year and a half, Batten students were especially excited to serve their community in person.

Photo by Dan Addison. (University Communications)

This summer, 50 students have been selected to participate in UVA’s 22nd Century Scholars program, designed to give students public-sector, event-planning, political and historical research, and video documentary work experience. Meet three Batten students participating in this year's program.

Kevin Heaney (MPP ’22) and Sydney Pulliam (BA ’22)

Thanks to two University of Virginia alumni, Batten students with an interest in national security have a new pathway to success through the Duke-Richards National Security Fellowship. Batten students Kevin Heaney (MPP ’22) and Sydney Pulliam (BA ’22) are the first recipients of the fellowship.

Matt Gillam

Matt Gillam (BA ’21), a proud Long Islander, knew he wanted to be a Batten student from the moment he learned about the School. After graduating this month, he'll bring the leadership skills he gained during his time at Batten, along with his passion for service, to the classroom with Teach for America.

jasmine Rangel student spotlight

The location of Batten Student Jasmine Rangel’s (MPP '21) childhood house changed the course of her life. Now, she’s working to ensure that everyone has a stable, affordable home. 

class of 2020 ceremonies

On Sunday, May 16, more than 2,800 of the graduates who gathered around screens last year massed behind the Rotunda, in person and in full color. A year in the making, Sunday’s ceremonies were full of touching moments, joyful reunions and some fun surprises, including a poem from Batten grad Hannah Semmes (BA '20).

MPP student Sean Bielawski. (Graphic by Macy Brandon)

A former sports journalist and investment banker, Batten’s Sean Bielawski, who will graduate with his MPP next week, has no regrets about saying yes to everything.

legacy and pilot award winners

The Pilot and Legacy Awards are the most prestigious student-nominated awards for graduating MPP and BA students. This year, a record number of nominations were submitted by Batten students, faculty and staff who were impacted by Batten’s Class of 2021.

joy_kim_header

Batten student Heeyon Joy Kim (MPP '21), who has been taking classes remotely from Korea during the pandemic, is working to be a voice for vulnerable children.