Letters from readers

A sampling of notes from readers over the past months …

An insightful read

I so enjoyed the fall 2023 issue, especially “A Sense of History,” the article on Rachel Beanland (M.F.A.’20) and her book, “The House Is on Fire.” I had read the novel and now have learned so much from your article.

Please extend my thanks to Mr. Stoss for writing it, to Mr. Moore who enhanced it and to the editors who agreed to run it. — Bob Benson (B.S.’72), Henrico, Virginia

Everything in moderation

I could not fail to notice the irony between your extensive article, “Primeval Eye,” about Buz Grossberg (B.S.’77), the proprietor and pitmaster of Richmond’s beloved Buz and Ned’s Real Barbecue and the immediately following “Massey’s New Era” describing the research of Victoria Findlay, Ph.D., on AGEs, noting why we should be careful to limit our consumption of Buz’s culinary masterwork.

Always enjoy your magazine. Well done. — Steve Brincefield (M.S.’74), Midlothian, Virginia

Where will college sports logo design go next?

The magazine.vcu.edu article on the evolution of the VCU Rams logo (“How branding changed college sports logos”) was very interesting. I enjoyed getting a glimpse of each iteration along with commentary from the logo expert.

But do you know what would have made it even better? It would have been interesting to bring in a few design students and have them provide alternate logos for the next era of VCU sports, with insights on design choices and significance.

I mean, we all love looking at different logo designs. Just imagine: a vibrant pixelated Ram, Picasso cubist Ram, medic Ram, galactic Ram, street tough Ram, Cary Street Ram, Ram with an eye patch, Ram with horns filed into sharp points, neon Ram, plaid Ram, super crazy loopy Ram, etc. The artistic choices are endless! And endlessly fun to imagine.

Anyway, maybe that’s for a future issue. Keep up the excellent work! — Justin Wood, Richmond, Virginia