The Central Virginia Chapter held its spring gathering on April 21, 2026, at Hotel A on the University of Virginia campus. We had a great turnout!
Our Colombian Fulbrighter, Slenka Botello, gave a wonderful presentation. Slenka talked about Caribbean music meaningful for her memories and identity. She focused on women artists and showcased a mixtape of Colombian, Cuban, Puerto Rican and Jamaican music. This music is part of her current research in a seminar on Caribbean Narratives. Slenka is finishing her second year as Ph.D. student in the Art and Architectural History Department at U.Va.
We had food and drink, and a good time was enjoyed by all.
— Fred Borch, Chapter President
Also at the meeting, we elected officers and board members for the coming year.
Here are photos from the event.
Group photo from our spring gathering on April 21, 2026, at U.Va.
Slenka Botello and Barb Watts at our spring gathering on April 21, 2026
Fulbrighter Slenka Botello (Colombia) and Chapter President Fred Borch at our spring gathering on April 21, 2026
Fulbrighters Slenka Botello (Colombia), Renaldo Vargas (Colombia) and Jesse Rocha (who did a Fulbright in Brazil) at our spring gathering on April 21, 2026
Cliff Maxwell and Gerald Pyle at our spring gathering on April 21, 2026
Nancy Pyle and Georgi Tomisato at our spring gathering on April 21, 2026