Historic Architect Jody Lahendro Has the Past in His Future

Jody Lahendro stood by a young Shumard oak – his long, chiseled face reminiscent of Gary Cooper’s (though now partially obscured by a mask) – and listened to friends and co-workers say nice things about him. Lahendro is retiring from the University of Virginia’s Division of Facilities Management, and his friends donated a tree, planted between the Rotunda and Brooks Hall, in his honor. Peers, teammates and University administrators praised Lahendro, bedecked in his usual uniform of a bow tie, tweed vest and an orange Virginia baseball cap, for his dedication to historic preservation and to the University. He was embarrassed by the attention.