From surf, turf and sky, NASA and VCU’s Rice Rivers Center deliver an immersive summer experience for undergraduates by VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY

Footnotes Story by Mary Kate Brogan, Enterprise Marketing and Communications. Photos by Allen Jones, Enterprise Marketing and Communications, and Chris Gough. Video by Joe Kuttenkuler, Enterprise Marketing and Communications, and Will Shuart, VCU Rice Rivers Center. Design by Bryan Martin, Enterprise Marketing and Communications. Lynne McCarthy, VCU Life Sciences, contributed to this report.

From surf, turf and sky, NASA and VCU’s Rice Rivers Center deliver an immersive summer experience for undergraduates

In its inaugural session on the East Coast, the environmental research program taps VCU expertise and facilities to give 22 students from across the nation a hands-on role in high-level work.

And a VCU photographer was there to capture the highlights.

With help from their families, friends and roughly 400 volunteers, thousands of first-years arrive at VCU’s residence halls.

A tour of some of the many murals that grace the buildings of VCU’s campuses, both inside and out.

A day in the life of VCU grounds crew member Walter Johnson.

With the river as a classroom, the monthlong experiential learning program marks a decade of combining undergraduate research, teamwork – and plenty of paddling.

Kendra Yates survived a horrific motorcycle crash, and she carries the spirit of the Evans-Haynes Burn Center with her as she pursues her dreams.

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And a VCU photographer was there to capture the highlights.

With help from their families, friends and roughly 400 volunteers, thousands of first-years arrive at VCU’s residence halls.

A tour of some of the many murals that grace the buildings of VCU’s campuses, both inside and out.

A day in the life of VCU grounds crew member Walter Johnson.

With the river as a classroom, the monthlong experiential learning program marks a decade of combining undergraduate research, teamwork – and plenty of paddling.

Kendra Yates survived a horrific motorcycle crash, and she carries the spirit of the Evans-Haynes Burn Center with her as she pursues her dreams.