Dean Malo A. Hutson + Alumnus Vice Mayor Juandiego Wade share their stories at 'Double Take'

On October 23rd in the Rotunda Dome Room, President Jim Ryan hosted 'Double Take,' a program based on 'The Moth' storytelling format which he brought to UVA in 2018. 

The annual event's goal, according to Ryan, is to create an opportunity to explore "the power of stories as a way to build bridges and as a way to build connections. If you want to understand someone else, you need to know their story, or at least one of their stories."

This fall's 'Double Take' includes the School of Architecture's Dean Malo André Hutson and alumnus Vice Mayor of Charlottesville, Juandiego Wade (MUEP '90), along with students and staff across the University. 

Presented to a room filled with family members, peers, colleagues and friends, each speaker generously shared a personal story of triumph — making for an evening of humor, sincerity, wisdom and reflection. 

Dean Hutson revealed personal family stories. Hutson told about how, as a kid, he trailed his grandfather everywhere. And how his grandfather later returned the love.

When Hutson was accepted to college, but couldn’t afford to fly or drive the hundreds of miles to the campus, his grandfather loaded Hutson into a motorhome and took the scenic route. That provided the trip Hutson needed, and a lifetime of memories he has cherished.

Here's is Hutson's story:

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Circular logo reading "Double Take", "Tell Your Story" and "Est. 2018"

Alumnus Juandiego Wade followed with a similar story, focused on his role as a Christian, as a father, and as a husband to his wife of over 30 years, Claudette Grant. 

Wade, who has had many roles in the Charlottesville community — former school board member, mentor, volunteer, and now Vice Mayor of the city — met his wife while they were pursuing graduate degrees in urban planning at the A-School. 

For more than three decades, Wade has taken on a seemingly surprising activity, crocheting, which he learned from his mother when he was young. At first the act of crocheting was the result of boredom, but over the years it became so much more, a way to find peace and community all in one, and a way to give back. 

Wade shares his story:

The full list of 'Double Take' storytellers: 

  • Tasia Courts, College of Arts & Sciences student

  • Charles Ellison, School of Education and Human Development student

  • Malo A. Hutson, School of Architecture Dean and Edward E. Elson Professor

  • Dipisha Kc Khatri, College of Arts & Sciences student

  • Tim Longo, Associate Vice President for Safety and Security and Chief of Police

  • Juandiego Wade, Vice Mayor of Charlottesville

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