Wednesday, Mar 25, 2026

Remembering VCU icon Jackie ‘Miss Peaches’ Cherry 

March 25, 2026

Bryer Haywood, Staff Writer Jackie “Miss Peaches” Cherry, a warm, familiar figure to many students at VCU, passed away on March 8 at the age of 61. Miss Peaches worked at Shafer Dining Court for 15 years and is fondly remembered for always greeting students with a smile whenever they walked up the stairs. During an interview with VCU News last year, Miss Peaches said she was motivated in her position by her connection to her family and her “other family” in the Dining Services staff, and strived to be kind to students she came across. “I treat people decent every day,” Miss Peaches said. “It’s just my humble way. I’m only doing God’s work. If my grandkids were going to college, I would want somebody to treat them with respect and show them support.” Aramark, the company partnered with VCU to run VCUDine and which employed many of her colleagues, offered a statement on Miss Peaches’s passing. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our long‑time and cherished colleague, Jacquelyn Cherry, known as Miss Peaches, whose dedication and kindness touched our entire organization. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her loved ones,” Aramark stated. While born in Fauquier

Who are the VCU student government presidential candidates?

March 23, 2026

Sal Orlando, Assistant News Editor VCU’s Student Government Association held a debate for its next president on Monday, beginning a three day voting period for students.  The candidates flexed varying platforms with similar goals of increasing the organization’s outreach, relevance on campus and power in administrative decisions.  The candidates are third-year history and mass communications student and SGA press secretary Natalie Bowen, third-year information systems student and senator Jamal Henry and second-year biomedical engineering student and senator Sadman Mahmood.  The latter two are also members of SGA’s independent financial board, which reviews proposals and disperses funds to student organizations supported by the student activity fee.  Natalie Bowen Bowen is running to increase the SGA’s efficiency and engagement with administration and the student body. She wants to continue what the association is currently doing, but would seek more power that would give weight to its decisions.  “A big part of the role of president is to meet with administration multiple times a week, and I want to be a president that puts my foot down in what the student body wants, and not let the administration try to take advantage of our close position,” Bowen said. Bowen wants to encourage senators

LETTER: VCU should be paying all of you

March 18, 2026

Jason Brown II, candidate for Virginia’s 4th Congressional District  This letter was submitted by Jason Brown II, a college student, member of the Dinwiddie County School Board and independent candidate for Virginia’s 4th Congressional District.  I’m amazed that there aren’t waves of VCU students writing to the school administration, demanding tuition reimbursement. I know, in some faraway parallel universe where students are empowered the way that they should be, there are students who do exactly that and win. But I can’t use up this whole letter writing about the wonders of Dnomhcir; I have to write about the realities of Richmond. In Richmond, higher education is for-profit. Student housing is a charge, meals are a charge, textbooks are a charge, transcript requests are a charge — access to knowledge comes with an unaffordable price tag. But you have to sign up for it, right? The alternative is either military service (not a good time to join …) or wildcard uncertainty (not a good time to try your luck …). So you sign the dotted line in hopes that a college degree (a piece of paper in which we put our faith … kind-of like dollar bills) can guarantee you a

To be anti-intellectual is to be anti-feminist

March 18, 2026

Emma Conroy, Contributing Writer During your next lecture, look around. Take note of who is taking notes, who is teaching and what subject you are studying.  The current freshman class at VCU is 63.3% female and 36.7% male. That is not a footnote — it is context. Anti-intellectualism is at a peak, yet college enrollment is at an all-time high. The value of a college education’s cultural capital is at an all-time low. Why? Maybe it’s because college campuses have become “elitist incubators of extreme liberalism” — we’ve all heard that gripe before.  So let’s take a look; Who fills campuses? Women. Who teaches in them, particularly in the humanities and social sciences? Predominantly women. This is not incidental.  Gendered jobs and subjects involve deep-rooted societal assumptions: masculine roles mapped onto engineering, construction and leadership; feminine roles onto caregiving, education and administration. While women now make up roughly 50% of overall STEM employment, they remain under-represented in engineering at 15% and computing roles at 25%, but dominate in health care at 74%.  The institution of higher education that women entered and began shaping in the 1970s was never neutral — it was already organized around particular assumptions about what kinds

The women rocking Richmond’s hardcore scene

March 18, 2026

Cora Perkins, Assistant Spectrum Editor  Behind the distorted tracks and stage dives that have long made Richmond a beacon for hardcore music, the women performing, shooting and attending these shows have been the backbone of the scene for years. Richmond has long been known as an influential city for hardcore music. From house shows packed to the brim with fans of slam drums and moshing, to record stores dedicated to stocking their shelves with heavy riffs and powerful vocals — Richmond has put its love on display. Kimmy Rivera, the vocalist for local post-hardcore band Athera, has loved music since she was a child.  “Growing up, me and my siblings would play Guitar Hero almost every day,” Rivera said. “My older brother was really into nu metal at the time and as I always looked up to him, I naturally liked it too.” Once Rivera started at VCU, she made it her mission to go to more local shows, attending her first Richmond show at Cobra Cabana, an essential bar and venue in the neighborhood of Carver.  “There, I saw Sick Of It All and Wasted Space. I was with Sonny and Jackson [of Athera] and I had the most

Zines, poems, photos and more to be found at Agony Books

March 18, 2026

Cora Perkins, Assistant Spectrum Editor  Tucked near the heart of downtown, Agony Books, a Black-owned specialty bookshop and gallery, has become a meeting ground for dialogue, art, culture and community.  Books on art, critical theory, culture and history line the shelves — and squeezed between them are zines that create a sense of life in the store. Art from a multitude of creators lines the space. Founded in 2021 by David Jaycox and Jesse Feinman, the store focuses on photography, design, critical theory and political commentary, according to its website. Jaycox initially reached out to Feinman with the idea for Agony because of what he built with his publishing practice, Pomegranate, according to Feinman.  “I was 25 at the time and the world felt really endless and big,” Feinman said. “I think it’s not so much that there wasn’t something being met, but maybe that a conversation could continue further, new things could be introduced, and I guess I saw myself as a good person to facilitate something like that.” The people behind Agony try their best to keep the selection in store from feeling stale or predictable, according to Feinman.  “When the project first started, we were much more

Martelli signs contract extension through 2031-32 season

March 23, 2026

Hayden Braun, Staff Writer VCU men’s basketball head coach Phil Martelli Jr. signed a contract extension that will keep him with the Rams through the 2031–32 season, according to VCU Athletics. The extension comes after a standout first season in which Martelli led VCU to a 28–8 record, a share of the Atlantic 10 regular-season title and the A-10 tournament championship.  The Rams also earned an 82–78 overtime victory over No. 6 University of North Carolina in the first round of March Madness, marking the program’s first NCAA Tournament win since 2016. VCU’s 28 wins are tied for the second-most in program history and the most by a first-year head coach ever, according to VCU Athletics. Before Martelli’s time at VCU, he built a strong resume at Bryant University, where he posted a 43–25 record over two seasons as head coach and led the Bulldogs to an America East championship as well as an NCAA Tournament appearance. Martelli acknowledged the support behind the VCU program in a statement. “I am grateful to the players and the staff who believed in the vision and worked tirelessly to ensure its continued success,” Martelli stated. “We are very fortunate to be at such

VCU’s season ends at hands of Illinois in round of 32

March 21, 2026

Drew Thompson, Sports Editor After a historic first round, No. 11 VCU fell to No. 3 University of Illinois 76-55 in the second round of the NCAA tournament.  VCU won the tip before Illinois opened the scoring on a second-chance layup. The Rams found themselves at a disadvantage early, as first-year guard Nyk Lewis went down with an injury in the opening minute that took him out for the rest of the game.  Fourth-year forward Barry Evans started VCU’s tab with a transition layup to tie. Illinois responded with a 9-0 run while VCU struggled through a three-minute scoring drought.  VCU second-year guard Terrence Hill Jr. provided the spark once again, hitting a step-back corner three to bring the early deficit to 11-5.  The Rams still lagged behind while the Fighting Illini stayed hot. VCU started the game with two makes in 13 attempts while Illinois was six for 10 seven minutes in.  Illinois continued a 14-3 run, but Evans brought VCU some life with a corner three.  Second-year guard Brandon Jennings scored his first points with a three, before third-year forward Michael Belle and third-year guard Tyrell Ward combined for a transition lob, bringing the deficit to 20-13 halfway

After making NCAA history, VCU looks to Illinois matchup

March 20, 2026

Drew Thompson, Sports Editor  VCU men’s basketball completed the largest first round comeback in NCAA Tournament history, upsetting No. 6 University of North Carolina 82-78 after being down 19 in the second half.  Second-year guard Terrence Hill Jr. was the key to the Rams success. Hill scored a career-high 34 points off the bench, shooting 70% from three with a career-high seven makes. He also set the record for most points scored by any VCU player in NCAA Tournament history.  First-year guard Nyk Lewis continued his strong contributions with 16 points and seven rebounds, and third-year forward Lazar Djokovic added 15 points and five rebounds.  No. 11 VCU advanced to the second round of the tournament for the first time in a decade, and now matches up with No. 3 University of Illinois — an interesting stylistic matchup that should lead to a high-powered offensive display.  Illinois is ranked 17 in offense, and is led primarily by first-year guard Keaton Wagler. Wagler averages 17.9 points and 4.5 assists per game. The Illini also have a very good rebounding team, with multiple players that average four or more rebounds a game.  The keys to success for VCU will be playing to

VCU comes back down 19 to advance past UNC

March 19, 2026

Drew Thompson, Sports Editor  No. 11 VCU is advancing to the second round of the NCAA men’s tournament for the first time in a decade after a stunning 82-78 comeback against the No. 6 University of North Carolina. “It doesn’t matter who we play,” second-year guard Terrence Hill Jr. said. “UNC? It doesn’t matter. Blue bloods? It doesn’t matter. We’ve got the same mindset every game.” UNC won the tip and scored the first points from the charity stripe from third-year center Henri Veesaar. The Tar Heels quickly took a five-point lead off a follow up and-one.  VCU third-year forward Lazar Djokovic scored the Rams first points from the free-throw line after a slow two-minute start. Djokovic then scored again inside on two straight possessions to give VCU the early lead, 6-5.  The Rams stayed hot while the Tar Heels lagged behind to open the game. VCU rattled off an 8-0 run while UNC had a three-minute scoring drought.  UNC broke its cold streak and took the lead back while VCU slowed down on a three-minute drought. VCU’s Hill broke the dry spell with a corner three to tie it back up at 13.  Both teams traded the lead back

Remembering VCU icon Jackie ‘Miss Peaches’ Cherry 

March 25, 2026

Bryer Haywood, Staff Writer Jackie “Miss Peaches” Cherry, a warm, familiar figure to many students at VCU, passed away on March 8 at the age of 61. Miss Peaches worked at Shafer Dining Court for 15 years and is fondly remembered for always greeting students with a smile whenever they walked up the stairs. During an interview with VCU News last year, Miss Peaches said she was motivated in her position by her connection to her family and her “other family” in the Dining Services staff, and strived to be kind to students she came across. “I treat people decent every day,” Miss Peaches said. “It’s just my humble way. I’m only doing God’s work. If my grandkids were going to college, I would want somebody to treat them with respect and show them support.” Aramark, the company partnered with VCU to run VCUDine and which employed many of her colleagues, offered a statement on Miss Peaches’s passing. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our long‑time and cherished colleague, Jacquelyn Cherry, known as Miss Peaches, whose dedication and kindness touched our entire organization. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her loved ones,” Aramark stated. While born in Fauquier

Who are the VCU student government presidential candidates?

March 23, 2026

Sal Orlando, Assistant News Editor VCU’s Student Government Association held a debate for its next president on Monday, beginning a three day voting period for students.  The candidates flexed varying platforms with similar goals of increasing the organization’s outreach, relevance on campus and power in administrative decisions.  The candidates are third-year history and mass communications student and SGA press secretary Natalie Bowen, third-year information systems student and senator Jamal Henry and second-year biomedical engineering student and senator Sadman Mahmood.  The latter two are also members of SGA’s independent financial board, which reviews proposals and disperses funds to student organizations supported by the student activity fee.  Natalie Bowen Bowen is running to increase the SGA’s efficiency and engagement with administration and the student body. She wants to continue what the association is currently doing, but would seek more power that would give weight to its decisions.  “A big part of the role of president is to meet with administration multiple times a week, and I want to be a president that puts my foot down in what the student body wants, and not let the administration try to take advantage of our close position,” Bowen said. Bowen wants to encourage senators

Opinion

LETTER: VCU should be paying all of you

March 18, 2026

Jason Brown II, candidate for Virginia’s 4th Congressional District  This letter was submitted by Jason Brown II, a college student, member of the Dinwiddie County School Board and independent candidate for Virginia’s 4th Congressional District.  I’m amazed that there aren’t waves of VCU students writing to the school administration, demanding tuition reimbursement. I know, in some faraway parallel universe where students are empowered the way that they should be, there are students who do exactly that and win. But I can’t use up this whole letter writing about the wonders of Dnomhcir; I have to write about the realities of Richmond. In Richmond, higher education is for-profit. Student housing is a charge, meals are a charge, textbooks are a charge, transcript requests are a charge — access to knowledge comes with an unaffordable price tag. But you have to sign up for it, right? The alternative is either military service (not a good time to join …) or wildcard uncertainty (not a good time to try your luck …). So you sign the dotted line in hopes that a college degree (a piece of paper in which we put our faith … kind-of like dollar bills) can guarantee you a

To be anti-intellectual is to be anti-feminist

March 18, 2026

Emma Conroy, Contributing Writer During your next lecture, look around. Take note of who is taking notes, who is teaching and what subject you are studying.  The current freshman class at VCU is 63.3% female and 36.7% male. That is not a footnote — it is context. Anti-intellectualism is at a peak, yet college enrollment is at an all-time high. The value of a college education’s cultural capital is at an all-time low. Why? Maybe it’s because college campuses have become “elitist incubators of extreme liberalism” — we’ve all heard that gripe before.  So let’s take a look; Who fills campuses? Women. Who teaches in them, particularly in the humanities and social sciences? Predominantly women. This is not incidental.  Gendered jobs and subjects involve deep-rooted societal assumptions: masculine roles mapped onto engineering, construction and leadership; feminine roles onto caregiving, education and administration. While women now make up roughly 50% of overall STEM employment, they remain under-represented in engineering at 15% and computing roles at 25%, but dominate in health care at 74%.  The institution of higher education that women entered and began shaping in the 1970s was never neutral — it was already organized around particular assumptions about what kinds

The Rundown

Spectrum

The women rocking Richmond’s hardcore scene

March 18, 2026

Cora Perkins, Assistant Spectrum Editor  Behind the distorted tracks and stage dives that have long made Richmond a beacon for hardcore music, the women performing, shooting and attending these shows have been the backbone of the scene for years. Richmond has long been known as an influential city for hardcore music. From house shows packed to the brim with fans of slam drums and moshing, to record stores dedicated to stocking their shelves with heavy riffs and powerful vocals — Richmond has put its love on display. Kimmy Rivera, the vocalist for local post-hardcore band Athera, has loved music since she was a child.  “Growing up, me and my siblings would play Guitar Hero almost every day,” Rivera said. “My older brother was really into nu metal at the time and as I always looked up to him, I naturally liked it too.” Once Rivera started at VCU, she made it her mission to go to more local shows, attending her first Richmond show at Cobra Cabana, an essential bar and venue in the neighborhood of Carver.  “There, I saw Sick Of It All and Wasted Space. I was with Sonny and Jackson [of Athera] and I had the most

Zines, poems, photos and more to be found at Agony Books

March 18, 2026

Cora Perkins, Assistant Spectrum Editor  Tucked near the heart of downtown, Agony Books, a Black-owned specialty bookshop and gallery, has become a meeting ground for dialogue, art, culture and community.  Books on art, critical theory, culture and history line the shelves — and squeezed between them are zines that create a sense of life in the store. Art from a multitude of creators lines the space. Founded in 2021 by David Jaycox and Jesse Feinman, the store focuses on photography, design, critical theory and political commentary, according to its website. Jaycox initially reached out to Feinman with the idea for Agony because of what he built with his publishing practice, Pomegranate, according to Feinman.  “I was 25 at the time and the world felt really endless and big,” Feinman said. “I think it’s not so much that there wasn’t something being met, but maybe that a conversation could continue further, new things could be introduced, and I guess I saw myself as a good person to facilitate something like that.” The people behind Agony try their best to keep the selection in store from feeling stale or predictable, according to Feinman.  “When the project first started, we were much more

Sports

Martelli signs contract extension through 2031-32 season

March 23, 2026

Hayden Braun, Staff Writer VCU men’s basketball head coach Phil Martelli Jr. signed a contract extension that will keep him with the Rams through the 2031–32 season, according to VCU Athletics. The extension comes after a standout first season in which Martelli led VCU to a 28–8 record, a share of the Atlantic 10 regular-season title and the A-10 tournament championship.  The Rams also earned an 82–78 overtime victory over No. 6 University of North Carolina in the first round of March Madness, marking the program’s first NCAA Tournament win since 2016. VCU’s 28 wins are tied for the second-most in program history and the most by a first-year head coach ever, according to VCU Athletics. Before Martelli’s time at VCU, he built a strong resume at Bryant University, where he posted a 43–25 record over two seasons as head coach and led the Bulldogs to an America East championship as well as an NCAA Tournament appearance. Martelli acknowledged the support behind the VCU program in a statement. “I am grateful to the players and the staff who believed in the vision and worked tirelessly to ensure its continued success,” Martelli stated. “We are very fortunate to be at such

VCU’s season ends at hands of Illinois in round of 32

March 21, 2026

Drew Thompson, Sports Editor After a historic first round, No. 11 VCU fell to No. 3 University of Illinois 76-55 in the second round of the NCAA tournament.  VCU won the tip before Illinois opened the scoring on a second-chance layup. The Rams found themselves at a disadvantage early, as first-year guard Nyk Lewis went down with an injury in the opening minute that took him out for the rest of the game.  Fourth-year forward Barry Evans started VCU’s tab with a transition layup to tie. Illinois responded with a 9-0 run while VCU struggled through a three-minute scoring drought.  VCU second-year guard Terrence Hill Jr. provided the spark once again, hitting a step-back corner three to bring the early deficit to 11-5.  The Rams still lagged behind while the Fighting Illini stayed hot. VCU started the game with two makes in 13 attempts while Illinois was six for 10 seven minutes in.  Illinois continued a 14-3 run, but Evans brought VCU some life with a corner three.  Second-year guard Brandon Jennings scored his first points with a three, before third-year forward Michael Belle and third-year guard Tyrell Ward combined for a transition lob, bringing the deficit to 20-13 halfway

After making NCAA history, VCU looks to Illinois matchup

March 20, 2026

Drew Thompson, Sports Editor  VCU men’s basketball completed the largest first round comeback in NCAA Tournament history, upsetting No. 6 University of North Carolina 82-78 after being down 19 in the second half.  Second-year guard Terrence Hill Jr. was the key to the Rams success. Hill scored a career-high 34 points off the bench, shooting 70% from three with a career-high seven makes. He also set the record for most points scored by any VCU player in NCAA Tournament history.  First-year guard Nyk Lewis continued his strong contributions with 16 points and seven rebounds, and third-year forward Lazar Djokovic added 15 points and five rebounds.  No. 11 VCU advanced to the second round of the tournament for the first time in a decade, and now matches up with No. 3 University of Illinois — an interesting stylistic matchup that should lead to a high-powered offensive display.  Illinois is ranked 17 in offense, and is led primarily by first-year guard Keaton Wagler. Wagler averages 17.9 points and 4.5 assists per game. The Illini also have a very good rebounding team, with multiple players that average four or more rebounds a game.  The keys to success for VCU will be playing to

VCU comes back down 19 to advance past UNC

March 19, 2026

Drew Thompson, Sports Editor  No. 11 VCU is advancing to the second round of the NCAA men’s tournament for the first time in a decade after a stunning 82-78 comeback against the No. 6 University of North Carolina. “It doesn’t matter who we play,” second-year guard Terrence Hill Jr. said. “UNC? It doesn’t matter. Blue bloods? It doesn’t matter. We’ve got the same mindset every game.” UNC won the tip and scored the first points from the charity stripe from third-year center Henri Veesaar. The Tar Heels quickly took a five-point lead off a follow up and-one.  VCU third-year forward Lazar Djokovic scored the Rams first points from the free-throw line after a slow two-minute start. Djokovic then scored again inside on two straight possessions to give VCU the early lead, 6-5.  The Rams stayed hot while the Tar Heels lagged behind to open the game. VCU rattled off an 8-0 run while UNC had a three-minute scoring drought.  UNC broke its cold streak and took the lead back while VCU slowed down on a three-minute drought. VCU’s Hill broke the dry spell with a corner three to tie it back up at 13.  Both teams traded the lead back

Comics

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