Colleen Schinderle

1 Introduction Obesity, a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), presents a paradoxical relationship with mortality. Referred to as the “obesity paradox,” this phenomenon is an effect modification by obesity on the association between CVD and mortality, whereby obese individuals with established CVD exhibit lower mortality rates as compared to normal-weight individuals [1, 2].

Pharrell Williams — Grammy award-winning musician and producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, activist and fashion designer from Virginia Beach, Va. — delivered the keynote address at Friday’s Valedictory Exercises as part of the University’s Class of 2019 graduation weekend. Throughout his speech, he referenced humility and passion for education and social change as keys for success.

Rep. James R. Roebuck, Jr., Democratic Chairman for the 188th Legislative District in Philadelphia County — as well as the University’s first black Student Council President — spoke in the Rotunda Dome Room on Friday as part of the University’s Symposium and Presentation Series: The Road to Charlottesville: Revisiting Equity, Education, and Engagement. Around 40 faculty and students were in attendance at the event.