Letters from readers

A sampling of notes from readers over the past months …

A teacher you can count on

I found the article by Avanti Yamamoto (B.S.’12) on math (“Magic numbers,” Summer 2025) interesting and readable for a former art student who struggled with math classes. In high school, where I ended my formal math studies, I was unfortunate to have a “math bully” for a geometry teacher. I struggled with her instruction to near tears. When I asked her to explain a series of equations again, for my right brain, she demurred, stating that she “already explained it clearly.” She all but recommended the fast-food industry as [a career] alternative.

Her son, whom I counted as a friend, was soon headed to MIT, and she basked in her math pedigree and the exclusivity it bestowed. “Anyone can do geometry,” she offered, along with the assertion that I was not paying attention.

In frustration, I countered with the known fact that I can draw, really, really well. “Tell you what, draw me an accurate and detailed rendering of a wood screw, no aids, just from memory,” I said. “I can’t draw a stick figure,” she replied. My point was made.

Indeed, I use math every day, yet owe Old Geometry Teacher nothing. Clearly, not all brains are built for the same skills, and I really wish I had had Ms. Yamamoto for math, just not precalculus. — Stewart Andrews (B.F.A.’86), McLean, Va.

In good hands

Recently, we’ve been inviting readers to send us stories about their most prized VCU keepsakes (read more here). Though not about a physical memento, this letter warmed our hearts.

I don’t have a “hold it in my hand” memento, but rather an excellent memory (circumstance notwithstanding) of having spent a week at VCU Medical Center — burn and ICU units — following a fire at our house back in 2015. While I had very little experience with hospitals, even I could tell how excellent the care I received there was. My 40-plus year RN (and nursing instructor) wife also thought so. A very positive part of this memory was the care provided by a young nurse named Jessica. She told us she left VCU shortly after I was there, but if she happens to see this, I hope she knows how much she contributed to my good memories of a bad situation. The young nurse in VCU’s “day in the life” TV ads reminds me a lot of her. I hope she’s doing well. — George Parker, Bowling Green, Va.