University of Richmond's Uncovered Tobacco Ties

Several universities, such as Duke University and Virginia Commonwealth University, have clear ties to the tobacco industry. Duke was named after one of the most successful tobacco manufacturers, the Duke family, after a multi-million dollar gift from their fortune transformed the University. Until the 1990s, Virginia Commonwealth University accepted millions of dollars from “Big Tobacco” companies for scientific research for new tobacco products and health studies.

Though it is not widely associated with tobacco, the University of Richmond also has longstanding ties to the tobacco industry, through student involvement, real estate, and corporate recruiting. UR continues to remain in close relationships with “Big Tobacco” companies.

The University of Richmond’s involvement with the tobacco industry began in the twentieth century. In 1941, Westhampton (the women’s college of UR) student Patsey Garrett portrayed the “Chesterfield Girl” in the brand’s national advertising campaign.

Dating back to the early twentieth century, large tobacco companies in Richmond have heavily recruited UR students.

On a current UR Robins School of Business recruiting webpage, an Altria recruiter speaks to recruiting efforts of UR students, explaining,

“University of Richmond students have the academic background to hit the ground running when they start their careers at Altria. In addition, they possess the leadership qualities and strong communications skills we look for in future employees” - Francisca Rahardja, Recruiter

Despite recent anti-smoking initiatives, such as signing a Healthy Campus 2020 pledge, offering tobacco cessation programs to staff, and implementing a Smoke and Tobacco-Free Campus Policy, UR continues to hold close relationships with “Big Tobacco” companies.

 Altria CEO, Michael Szymanczyk, currently sits on UR’s Board of Trustees, and the Altria CFO, David F. Beran, and Philip Morris CEO, Heather Newma, are on UR’s   Executive Advisory Council  .  This  Executive Advisory Council  works to ensure the top-tier status of UR’s School of Business among undergraduate and graduate business programs.

Additionally, UR continues to allow the use of tobacco on campus and partners with companies to sell tobacco products at a campus convenience store. Until 2018, these tobacco products could be purchased with student dining dollars provided by the University. 

One of the strongest examples of modern tobacco ties with UR lies in a real estate investment; Altria leased their corporate headquarters from UR until 2003 when Altria purchased it for $20.8 million.

The University of Richmond has an important history with the tobacco industry and its relationships with “Big Tobacco” companies remain strong. With thousands of dollars in funding, C-level employees of tobacco companies in board positions, heavy recruitment, and tobacco products remaining acceptable on campus, tobacco continues to influence campus operations several decades later.