Abbey Stockstill is appointed Principal of the International Residential College at UVA
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Thomas Jefferson Foundation Chair and Associate Professor of Architectural History Abbey Stockstill has been appointed Principal of the International Residential College (IRC) at the University of Virginia.
The International Residential College is a vibrant and enriching residential and academic community for undergraduates, both international and domestic. More than just a residential hall, the IRC infuses academics and social life together—drawing from a concept envisioned by Thomas Jefferson as part of the university's founding. By directly integrating faculty and students in a dynamic living and learning environment, the IRC promotes interaction and intellectual discourse between residents and faculty, with the mission to instill the goal of academic excellence and global consciousness.
An Emphasis on Global Awareness
The IRC was opened in the fall of 2001 by the University with a desire to create an environment focused on exploring global and cross-cultural issues on Grounds. It is now a place where over 300 undergraduates develop their intellectual capabilities and global perspectives. In addition to UVA students, the IRC also welcomes exchange students from partner universities around the world.
With an emphasis on global awareness, the main themes of the IRC's programming are intercultural interaction, study abroad opportunities, and community outreach, organized by the IRC's Student Council and committees. These bodies are maintained through student governance and participation.
"Professor Stockstill is an accomplished scholar whose work examines the architectural and cultural histories of the Middle East and North Africa, with particular attention to how built environments shape human experience," said Kenyon Bonner, Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer. "Her global perspective and deep commitment to interdisciplinary teaching make her an exceptional match for the IRC’s mission. With her leadership and dedication, IRC will continue to thrive as a vibrant home for students engaged in international perspectives, cross-cultural understanding, and globally oriented study."
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The Living History of Historic Houses
As part of the IRC, students live in one of four residential houses—Munford, Yen, Gwathmey, and Hoxton—while the faculty Principal resides in the historic Morea House. Each of these buildings have their own unique histories—for examples, the Munford House (constructed in 1952) was the university's first dormitory built specifically for female students, while the Yen House (constructed in 1984) is named in honor of W.W. Yen, the first Chinese student and first international student to graduate with a bachelor's degree (1900) from UVA.
Morea, which includes a home and gardens, was originally a 106-acre farm purchased and owned by pioneering physician and scientist Dr. John Patten Emmet who was appointed by Jefferson to be the first Professor of Natural History at the university in 1825. He taught botany, geology, mineralogy, zoology, and later chemistry at UVA. One of the oldest active residences on Grounds, Emmet constructed the Morea House in 1835 and as of 1984, it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
"I am very excited to be joining the vibrant residents of the International Residential College, and to be representing the Architecture School to a broader coalition of students from across Grounds," said Professor Stockstill. "Whether students are lifelong Virginians who have never left the U.S., or international students looking for a home away from home, the IRC offers a space for open dialogue and exploration within the structure of a close-knit community. Living on Grounds and in Morea House, to steward a piece of the university’s history, is also a dream for an architectural historian."
