Virginia

First Lady ‘Dr.’ Jill Biden is a ‘tough to please’ lecturer – but many at Virginia campus don’t even know who she is

Published

4 months ago

July 4, 2024

First Lady ‘Dr.’ Jill Biden is a ‘tough to please’ lecturer – but many at Virginia campus don’t even know who she is

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The community college campus where Dr. Jill Biden teaches is just nine miles southwest of the White House.

But it is one of the very few places in the Washington DC area where the rapidly unraveling crisis surrounding President Biden’s re-election is not one of the hot topics – more than 15 students interviewed by The Post this week had not heard of it.

Some students who know “Dr. B,” as she is called by many at the Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) campus, did not even realize she is the First Lady – and married to the president.

Most staffers and administrators The Post spoke to declined comment, saying they had been told by NOVA brass not to talk to reporters. Only one staffer, who did not give his name, spoke out about Jill, who has taught English at the college since 2009.

“You know she swans in here with her entourage a couple of times a week and makes everyone call her ‘Doctor,’ he said, referring to the secret service agents who accompany her.

“I don’t know her personally but it’s a little bit of a joke. Most teachers here don’t insist on being called Dr.”

First Lady Jill Biden has famously been “Dr.” Jill Biden since 2007, when she was awarded her doctorate in education, or Ed.D., from the University of Delaware.

Her dissertation was on community colleges, titled “Student retention at the community college: meeting students’ needs.”

“I stay out of politics and I don’t watch the news,” a 20-year-old Afghani student who was almost fully veiled told The Post as she walked down one of the paved walkways to the campus store. “I know Dr. B. I almost took her class.”

Others who do know Jill Biden is also FLOTUS did not know there was a controversy over her 81-year-old husband’s cognitive abilities and whether or not he would be capable of governing for the next four years, after his disastrous debate against Donald Trump last week.

“What, he might have dementia?” said one of two young, American-born male students leaving campus for the day when approached by a Post reporter and asked about the controversy over the president. “I feel so bad for him. Is that really true? That’s so sad. I heard about the debate, but not this.”

Two American-born students playing ping-pong outside the student center, just across from the building housing Jill Biden’s classroom, said they were first-year students but did not know the first lady taught at the school.

Only one student, Chris Bladen, agreed his name could be used and he said he didn’t want to say anything bad about Jill Biden or her husband “because I might be the biggest Trump-hater in the world. I just wish we had better candidates.”

In fairness, as Jill Biden herself indicated to Vogue this month, a number of the students at NOVA’s Alexandria campus are recent immigrants and can’t necessarily be expected to know the nuances of American politics. Others, she said, are older women looking to re-enter the workforce.

“Whatever I give them,” she told Vogue, “it has to be short. Because they leave my class and go straight to work, many of them. They may work until eight o’clock, then they have to do my homework, and they might have kids, too, or parents to take care of.”

She also told Vogue she often assigns “articles” rather than books because books are expensive – but said she does like to assign students Trevor Noah’s 2019 memoir, “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood.”

NOVA accepts 100 percent of its applicants and some of the 14,000 in attendance at the Alexandria campus are Afghani immigrants.

Alexandria, which is a sanctuary city, has just one public high school with many Afghan refugees, a number of whom come to NOVA.

A spokesperson for NOVA didn’t provide a comment to The Post by press time, while a representative for Jill Biden didn’t immediately return a request for comment.

Dr. Biden, who taught as recently as May but does not appear to be on the summer teaching schedule, received a grade of 4.5 out of a possible 5 score on the “Rate my professors” site.

Many reviewers praise her, a few say she is not that organized — but the majority of them agree she is a tough grader.

“Am I allowed to say something mean?” asked one US-born student who did not want to give his name but said he had taken one class with her. “Because she’s kind of mean. I had one class with her. I didn’t really like her. It was impossible to please her.”

Prior to coming to NOVA, Jill Biden spent 15 years as a professor at Delaware Technical Community College and before that she was a high school teacher.

Jill Biden got considerable flack after her husband was elected president in Nov. 2020 for insisting on the “Dr.” title. Interestingly, her first Vogue cover, in June 2021, included the title on the cover. This month’s cover story did not.

“You can tell someone is smarting from an inferiority complex when he insists on being addressed as “Dr.” on the basis of holding an academic doctorate rather than being a physician,” Kyle Smith wrote in the National Review in Dec. 2020.

“Ph.D. holders who have genuine accomplishments don’t make you call them “Doctor,” which is why you never hear about “Dr. Paul Krugman” and “Dr. George Will.” None of the professors I knew at Yale, even the ones who were eminent in their fields, insisted on the title, and I think most of them would have scoffed if someone had addressed them as “Dr.”

In a 2021 Washington Post profile of Jill Biden, the educator included glowing reviews by some of her former students.

“She never really addressed the whole thing about being Jill Biden,” said Juliette Rosso, who had Biden as an English professor in 2017. “She was genuine, and she was humble.”

Mikaela Stack told the paper about Biden: “She cares deeply. She’s incredibly engaging and challenging and kind.”

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Virginia

How to watch Syracuse Orange vs. Virginia Tech football: Time, TV channel, FREE live streams

Published

10 hours ago

November 2, 2024

Press Room

How to watch Syracuse Orange vs. Virginia Tech football: Time, TV channel, FREE live streams

The Syracuse Orange are underdogs on their home field as they face a big ACC matchup with the Virginia Tech Hokies Saturday at the JWA Wireless Dome. The game is scheduled to start at noon ET with TV coverage on CW Network and streaming on-demand.

How to watch: Live streams of the Syracuse v.s Virginia Tech game are available with offers from FuboTV (free trial), SlingTV (low intro rate) and DirecTV Stream (free trial).
For a limited time, FuboTV is offering $20 off the first month after the free trial period. With $20 offer, plans start at $59.99.

Virginia Tech Hokies (5-3) at Syracuse Orange (5-2)

NCAA football matchup at a glance

When: Saturday, Nov. 2 at noon ET

Where: JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.

TV channel: CW Network

Live streams: FuboTV (free trial) | SlingTV (low intro rate) | DirecTV Stream (free trial)

Syracuse had built momentum with three straight wins before its hot streak came to a sudden halt last week in a 41-13 road loss to No. 19 Pittsburgh. Quarterback Kyle McCord threw five interceptions in that one, including three pick-sixes that made life easy on his opponents. For the season, Syracuse has been content to live and die by McCord’s right arm, ranking No. 3 nationally in passing (358.9 ypg) and No. 127 in rushing (90.3 ypg).

Virginia Tech is playing its best football of the season going into Week 10 with three straight wins over ACC competition in Stanford (31-7), Boston College (42-21) and, most recently, Georgia Tech (21-6). In that win over the Yellow Jackets, quarterback Kyron Drones did it all with touchdowns scored passing, rushing and receiving. The Hokies were outgained by Georgia Tech, but their defense forced two interceptions to sweep the turnover battle (2-0).

Syracuse Orange vs. Virginia Tech Hokies: Know your live streaming options

FuboTV (free trial) – excellent viewer experience with huge library of live sports content; free trial lengths vary; monthly rate after free trial starts at $59.99 after current $20 discount offer.
SlingTV (low intro rate) – discounted first month is best if you’ve run out of free trials or you’re in the market for 1+ month of TV
DirecTV Stream (free trial) – not the same level of viewer experience as FuboTV, but the standard 7-day free trial is still the longest in streaming.

The Hokies and Orange are set for a noon ET start on FS1. Live streams are available from FuboTV (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial) and SlingTV (low intro rate).

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Virginia

Trump to rally with Youngkin, Cao in Virginia as Harris takes lead in polls

Published

20 hours ago

November 1, 2024

Press Room

Trump to rally with Youngkin, Cao in Virginia as Harris takes lead in polls

Trump to host rally in Salem, Virginia

Former President Donald Trump plans to host a rally outside of Roanoke, Virginia alongside Governor Glenn Youngkin and Senate candidate Hung Cao.

SALEM, Va. – Former President Donald Trump is set to deliver remarks at the Salem Civic Center on Saturday, joined by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Senate candidate Hung Cao.

City officials are advising attendees to be prepared for increased congestion, particularly near the Taliaferro Complex.

Event details indicate that everything will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking will open at 8 a.m., with doors opening at noon.

Pre-programming for the event will begin at 2 p.m., and Trump is scheduled to speak at 4 p.m.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive no later than 1 p.m.

According to the Salem Civic Center, the Trump campaign managed the ticketing for the event. Participants must have a ticket for entry, as the exact number of tickets distributed is unknown.

TOPSHOT – Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump dances as he leaves a campaign rally in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on October 30, 2024. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

Entry will also be on a first-come, first-served basis.

This rally comes as new polling from Roanoke College shows Vice President Kamala Harris with a significant lead in Virginia.

The Roanoke College Poll indicates Harris holds a 10-point advantage over Trump, with 51% of likely voters supporting her compared to 41% for the former president.

In the U.S. Senate race, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine is leading Hung Cao by 11 points. According to the poll, only 2% of likely voters are undecided, while 40% have already cast their ballots.

Dr. Harry Wilson, a senior political analyst for The Institute for Policy and Opinion Research (IPOR) at Roanoke College, commented on the polling results: “Kamala Harris has increased the slim lead she held in the August Roanoke College Poll. She is claiming 95% of Democrats and leads 49%-36% among independents. Trump is supported by 90% of Republicans, but that might not be enough for him to win in Virginia.”

With the election approaching and early voting already in progress, both parties are ramping up their efforts to mobilize supporters ahead of Election Day.

The Roanoke College Poll surveyed 851 likely registered voters in Virginia between October 25 and October 29.

Road closures and traffic alerts

PLEASE OBEY ALL TRAFFIC SIGNS AND DIRECTIONS
Please be patient as vehicle traffic and attendees make their way to the arena.
Please avoid the area if you are not attending the rally Saturday afternoon.
Expect delays on Roanoke Boulevard as traffic will enter one way and exit another.
No parking will be allowed on Roanoke Boulevard from Electric Road to Texas Street.
No parking on Texas Street from Roanoke Boulevard to Lynchburg Turnpike

What to know before you go

NO BAGS, PURSES, or CAMERAS ALLOWED.
No Tailgating – No Camping – No vendors or sellers will be allowed
RVs and Overnight Parking are PROHIBITED.
Food and Beverage will be available at our indoor concession stands.
We encourage guests to carpool.
Please Park in a single space.
No EZ-UP Popup tents in parking spaces.
All drive aisles must remain clear for emergency vehicles.
All guests will be screened by the secret service.
No reentry to the arena.
No smoking sections.
Can you bring a chair to wait in line? Yes but only outside. Chairs will not be allowed in the building.
Will there be porta-potties outside? Yes.

US Secret Service prohibited items list

Aerosols
No bags or purses
Alcoholic beverages
Appliances (i.e. Toasters)
Balloons
Balls
Banners, signs, placards
Chairs
Coolers
Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems
E-Cigarettes/ VAPES / lighters
Explosives of any kind (including fireworks)
Firearms
Glass, thermal and metal containers
Laser lights and laser pointers
Mace and/or pepper spray
Noisemakers, such as air horns, whistles, drums, bullhorns, etc.
Packages
Poles, sticks and selfie sticks
Spray containers
Structures
Supports for signs or placards
Tripods
Umbrellas
Weapons
And any other items that may pose a threat to the security of the event

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Virginia

Syracuse football: predictions and poll vs Virginia Tech

Published

1 day ago

November 1, 2024

Press Room

Syracuse football: predictions and poll vs Virginia Tech

The Syracuse Orange (5-2, 2-2) welcome the Virginia Tech Hokies (5-3, 3-1) for the first game in the JMA Dome since September. What will happen when these longtime rivals collide at Noon on the CW? Here’s what we think….

Kevin: Syracuse 31, Virginia Tech 27

There’s no glossing over what happened last week in Pittsburgh, but I trust that Kyle McCord and the offense will make some plays tomorrow. I also trust that Marlowe Wax’s return gives the Orange three defenders who can contain Kyron Drones on the edge. Wax, Justin Barron and Fadil Diggs will keep the Hokies’ quarterback from using his legs to beat the Orange. I think the defense creates two turnovers putting the offense in short field situations and Trebor Pena finds his way into the end zone twice in this one.

Dom: Syracuse 35, Virginia Tech 28

Without a doubt the toughest game to predict all year. I would’ve said Syracuse would be the clear favorite weeks ago. Then the Pitt game happened, and now Virginia Tech is entering the Dome with its hottest stretch of the season so far. I went back-and-forth on this one, and Virginia Tech’s big strengths (running the ball and toughness on the defensive line) will be a headache to deal with, but a strong home environment and a bounce back performance from the offense lead to a win in a shootout.

Mike: Syracuse 37, Virginia Tech 31

The Hokies are hot at the right time and this should be down to the wire much like several games have been already, but with the right scheming the Orange can squeeze this one out. Antwaun Powell-Ryland is a beast no question, so it’s important to work as many plays to the weak side as possible. The VT secondary is better than the inflated stats from Miami and Rutgers can show, so McCord needs to stay calm, work underneath and wear them down. Pitt had a lot of season worst performances and this is a perfect bounce back environment.

Max (5-2): Virginia Tech 30, Syracuse 24

These teams are going in opposite directions coming into this one, with Tech on a three-game win streak and the Orange getting demolished by Pitt. I had high hopes for Syracuse last week, but after ripping my heart out, I can’t back them here, even at home. The Hokies have played some of the toughest opponents in the nation (19th in SOS compared to SU’s 74th), and their balanced offensive scheme will get them the win on Saturday.

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