Keane is quick to note that athletics and aca-
demics go hand in hand at Virginia.
"I've always enjoyed athletics as part of the
college experience and wanted to ensure that
continues to be viable," Keane said while explain-
ing one reason why she's a VAF donor. "Equally
important is I'm very proud that Virginia has true
student-athletes.
"Our graduation rate is very high and our stu-
dent-athletes go on to do many successful things."
Keane is an ardent admirer of Virginia men's
basketball coach Tony Bennett.
"When Coach Bennett arrived, I liked learning
of his five pillars for teamwork," she said. "I've
used them with my team at JABA."
JABA provides resources and services to help
people over the age of 60 in the community. It
acts as an advocate for seniors' interests and as a
resource for seniors, caregivers, and other agen-
cies and organizations.
According to Keane, her years as an under-
graduate and graduate student proved to be in-
valuable.
"I was in the second class of women," she said.
"That made it interesting and opened a lot of new
learning opportunities and friendships. These
friends from my first year continue to gather each
year for sporting events.
"I developed a lifelong desire for learning."
— Mike Scandura
Keane (left), pictured here with her friend Julie Farrar-Hersch (BS '75, MEd '76, PhD '94) at the
ACC Tournament in Greensboro March 2015, has been a men's basketball season ticket holder
for nine consecutive years.
PHOTO COURTESY MARTA KEANE
