If you have a research software question, whether you’re a student, faculty member, or staff, UVA Library’s Nancy Kechner is here to help. A Research Software Specialist working in the Charles L. Brown Science and Engineering Library, Kechner answers numerous queries each day about software, tools, and technology; teaches workshops on data visualization; and creates LibGuides for students enrolled in various courses.
Outside of the Library, Kechner has made headlines as head coach of UVA’s women’s rugby team since 1997. Named the USA Rugby College Coach of the Year in 2018, Kechner is known for creating a “safe haven” for her players, hosting them at her home for team dinners and introducing them to her (well-trained) dogs. Under Kechner’s leadership, the rugby team played in the national championship game in 2016 and participates in the Division I national club tournament most years.
We spoke with Kechner about how she balances sports and software after she returned from a recent rugby tour in Ireland with her team.
Q. Can you describe your typical workday? How often do you interact with students and faculty?
A. My primary job is to support the distribution, installation, and use of UVA Information Technology Services’ site-licensed research software. I’ve been in this position for 20 years, first hired by ITS and then handed off to the Library.
The first thing I usually do is check my email. I’ve been doing this so long that many users just email me directly with questions. These can range from “My SPSS stopped working” to “Can I access HFSS in ANSYS.” After that I go into my Jira trouble ticket system to see what’s landed there. At any time there are over 50 unique software permutations and 10,000 users. These are always a mix of students, faculty, and staff — anyone using research software at UVA. It can be quite busy.
Q. You have a Ph.D. in physiology. How do you bring this knowledge to your job at UVA Library?
A. I worked in biomedical research for many years. I’ve always been fascinated by the human body and how it works. I was a kinesiology major at UVA, so I stayed with that interest through my Ph.D. I use my knowledge in my job in terms of understanding research methods and also in data visualization. I also used SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) in my doctoral work, and as a postdoc in anesthesiology, so I know how frustrating it can be when it goes awry.
Q. What are your favorite parts of your job?
A. I enjoy solving people’s software issues! I always describe it as being like the “flower lady” — people come to me with frustrating software issues that I solve and make that go away. I can make their day.
Q. Outside of the Library, you are the award-winning coach of the UVA women’s rugby team, a title you have held since 1997. What drew you to rugby, and what has kept you coaching these many years?
A. I started playing rugby at UVA as an undergrad. I transferred into UVA and lived in the old Mary Munford dorm (now part of the International Residence College). The rugby team practiced on the field that is now Carr’s Hill. I tried it and fell in love with it! Rugby is just a great and challenging sport. It’s empowering for women in terms of physicality and overcoming challenges.
I stay involved because I just love my teams. UVA students are so smart, and smart students make good rugby players. I enjoy watching them grow as players and individuals. As a club team, I can interact with them in many different ways. I cook team dinners for them on Fridays before home games and offer a home away from home for many of them.
Q. The women’s rugby team recently traveled to Ireland for a rugby tour. What were some of the best/most memorable parts of the trip?
A. Touring is awesome! Some of my players had never flown or left the country before tour. To go to a different country with 30 of your friends is always incredible! My favorite part of the trip is watching my players realize that although rugby is not that big in the U.S., that it is huge in other countries. Six Nations Rugby overlaps with UVA’s spring break. The whole team goes to a pub to watch Ireland play against one of the other five teams, and there are crowds of people cheering Ireland on. Rugby is an international community. You can go to any rugby country and tell someone that you play rugby, and you’ll have a great conversation about the game. We also saw the Aran Islands, the Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle, and had three matches against women’s club teams. We went 2-1 which is pretty good!
Q. On top of your library and coaching responsibilities, you also cook professionally and raise best-in-show-winning dogs. Can you tell me about these passions of yours and how you manage to find time for everything?
A. I cooked to support myself through UVA as an undergrad. I was good at it, and I liked it, so I continued to do it. I moved to Philadelphia to work as a pastry chef. I missed science so I applied to Temple School of Medicine to earn my Ph.D. in physiology. I cooked through grad school to supplement my meager stipend.
I also always had dogs. I moved back here with my “heart dog,” Bun the Rottweiler. When she passed, I wanted to stay with a working breed but change from Rotties. I contacted a breeder in Culpeper who had a litter of Swissies (named after “Harry Potter” characters) on the ground. People can stay on a waiting list for a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog for months. Colleen, the breeder, asked me to come look at the litter. I only wanted a pet female, and she had them all assigned to other homes. But I went to see the puppies! This tall lady runs out of her house and says, “I’m Colleen! I played rugby for Virginia Tech!” She talked me into a show male, Sirius, and into co-owning, but it worked out great. Then I got George from her, and he ended up winning the National Swissy Championship, his breed at Westminster, and the AKC championship! The best part is that we tested to be a therapy dog team and then we visited patients at UVA Hospital and the Library.
Time? I’m not good at free time, really.
Q. Do you find yourself using any of the skills/lessons you have learned in rugby, cooking, and dog-raising in your job at the Library?
A. Both rugby and cooking involve understanding other people and working as a team. My job is a lot of putting out (software) fires. Coaching is about thinking and reacting on your feet, putting (rugby) fires out. Taking care of and loving a dog builds your humanity and empathy. It all works together to help in my job.
Q. In your opinion, what is a library for?
A. A library is a place to answer life’s questions and build knowledge. It is a welcoming place for curious interaction.
Q. Anything else you’d like to add?
A. If I knew then what I know now, I would have gotten a library degree instead of a Ph.D.!