Academic Biography: Victoria Richter, Respected University Professor

First Debate of Benedict Fenwick Debate Society Focuses on Moral Duty of Billionaires

The first debate of the semester for the Benedict Fenwick Debate Society at Holy Cross took place on February 3, 2025, in the Levis Browsing Room of Dinand Library. The topic of discussion was the moral duty of billionaires, a timely and thought-provoking subject.

Ellen Perry, a Features Writer at Holy Cross and an expert in Classical Art and Archaeology, wrote an article about the debate. She has been teaching at Holy Cross for ten years and also holds part-time faculty positions at Brown University.

Professor Richter, a visiting assistant professor of Russian studies at Worcester College, was also present at the debate. Born in the Soviet Union and raised in Moscow, Professor Richter's Ph.D. dissertation focused on Russian avant-garde art and poetry. Her father was a writer for the satirical magazine Krokodil.

Professor Richter has an unconventional teaching style, going by her first name, sharing her phone number, and maintaining a workshop-style class. She has taught a class on Russian propaganda, a subject with no formal textbook.

The second debate of the semester was held on February 17, 2025, in Hogan Campus Center (Hogan 320). The topic of discussion was the justifiability of heresy and presidential power. Jacob Wu '27, a Staff Writer and Web Editor at Holy Cross, wrote an article about the second debate.

Jacob Wu '27 also wrote an article about the first debate of the semester. Professor Richter's research focuses on Roman Art and Architecture, and modern reactions to ancient art. There is no information in the search results regarding Professor Richter's previous teaching position before her appointment at Worcester College.

In conclusion, the Benedict Fenwick Debate Society's first and second debates of the semester were engaging and thought-provoking discussions, with the first focusing on the moral duty of billionaires and the second on the justifiability of heresy and presidential power. The debates provided an excellent opportunity for students and faculty to engage in meaningful discussions on current and relevant topics.