Parents Council

Comprised of current and former parents of UVA students, the Parents Council meets regularly to offer suggestions for programming, provide feedback on outreach initiatives, and pray for the work of the Study Center.

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A smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a teal top, standing outside in front of a brick wall and green shrubbery.
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Sarah Larsen

Advice to Parents | Stay connected with your student; try to let go and let them discover their own unique path.

Favorite Study Center memory | Move-In Day Lunches since 2012 when our eldest daughter started at UVA.

Free Union, VA
Parent of a current student and an alum

Jim Heetderks

Charlottesville, VA
Parent of a current student

I’m excited to serve on the Parents Council because | I appreciate what the Study Center has meant for so many UVA students over the years.

Advice to Parents | Get your kid to the Study Center!

Mandy Smith T

Birmingham, AL
Parent of an alum

Impact of the Study Center on your student | It was a rock to him and our family to find like-minded people at such a large university.

Favorite Study Center memory | FaceTiming with my son on his daily walk to class with a stop for coffee at the Study Center.

Mary Peters

Dallas, TX
Parent of a current student

I’m excited to serve on the Parents Council because | I care about college students and want to be a part of them thriving and growing at UVA.

Impact of the Study Center on your student | He met his first friends through Foundations Week. It’s been a home away from home.

Wendy Vendt

Falls Church, VA
Parent of a current student and an alum

Favorite Study Center memory | Move-In Day Lunch! It allows students and parents to know they’re not alone in their faith at UVA.

Advice to Parents | Pray that they would know God, love his word, and surround themselves with Godly people.

Lida Orr

Decatur, AL
Parent of current students

Advice to Parents | Listen to them - really listen! Hear about their friends, favorite things to do, and ways they’re navigating a brand new world.

Impact of the Study Center on your student | It’s always there for them. It’s a great constant to students during their time at UVA.

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Martha Flory

Fawn Lake, VA
Parent of two current students

Favorite Study Center memory | Dropping our oldest daughter at Foundations Week, knowing she would make friends and be poured into spiritually before classes even began.

Impact of the Study Center on your student | The care and mentorship from the Study Center’s leaders has been critical as they’ve left home and made their own decisions as adults.

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    Stuart Hornsby | stuart@studycenter.net

    Director of Development & Parent and Alumni Relations

    Read Bio