March 29, 2024

Late Alum’s Comic Book Creations on Display for Thursday’s Great Lives Lecture

One of Duke Stableford’s embroidered creations inspired by Stan Lee’s comic book covers. Stableford, a 1981 alum who passed away in January, created 30 needlepoints of Marvel Comics covers that will be on display in George Washington Hall before the Great Lives lecture on Stan Lee on Thursday. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

One of Duke Stableford’s embroidered creations inspired by Stan Lee’s comic book covers. Stableford, a 1981 alum who passed away in January, created 30 needlepoints of Marvel Comics covers that will be on display in George Washington Hall before the Great Lives lecture on Stan Lee on Thursday. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

When Stan Lee drew Spider-Man, he gave his signature superhero the ability to shoot webs from a device attached to his wrist.

Influenced by Lee’s work, Mary Washington alumnus Duke Stableford ’81 used cloth, a needle, and colored thread to create his own interpretations of the celebrated writer and artist’s classic comic book covers.

An exhibit featuring 30 needlepoint pieces by Stableford, who passed away in January, will be on view in George Washington Hall on Thursday, Feb. 22, when the William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series presents Stan Lee: Spider-Man and Marvel Comics in the University of Mary Washington’s Dodd Auditorium on the Fredericksburg campus at 7:30 p.m. Presented by cultural historian Bob Batchelor, the lecture will be free and open to the public and is sponsored by Yuh Prosthodontics. Read more.

Lessons in Science: Mary Washington Alumnae Advance STEM Careers

A young woman leaves New York to earn a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at a small Virginia women’s college in the 1950s. After graduate school, she becomes a revered electron microscopist – but not without the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field. Consequently, she spends her life helping female students at her alma mater advance their own careers and pursue their scientific passions.

It sounds like Lessons in Chemistry, the popular Apple+ miniseries based on the novel by Bonnie Garmus, chronicling the life of a female chemist challenging the status quo in the mid-20th century.

Yet, it’s the true story of Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59. She and other Mary Washington alumnae – such as Anne Hope Scott ’59, Jerri Barden Perkins ’61 and Marilyn Shull Black ’69 – made scientific breakthroughs while breaking through the glass ceiling. Read more.

UMW and Germanna Lab Schools Take Important Step Forward

RICHMOND – Continuing Virginia’s role as the nation’s top leader in lab school development, the Virginia Department of Education is accelerating the momentum for educational innovation in the commonwealth with contracts for Germanna Community College’s Future Educators Academy (FEA) and University of Mary Washington’s Academy of Technology and Innovation (ATI) now completed and signed by all parties.  Both lab schools received approval from the Virginia Board of Education in November 2023 and remain on track to open later this year at the start of the 2024-2025 school year.

“We are committed to giving Virginia’s students innovative options that spark their interests and expand their opportunities post-graduation,” said President of the Virginia Board of Education Grace Creasey. “These partnerships with the University of Mary Washington and Germanna Community College are mission-focused and designed to meet the unique needs of their students and local communities.  We’re looking forward to both programs opening this fall.”

“The University of Mary Washington’s Academy of Technology and Innovation will provide opportunities for students to engage in hands-on learning experiences where computer and data science are applied across content areas, providing a unique model for high school education in the region,” said Rebecca Towery, Executive Director of the Academy of Technology and Innovation at UMW. “We are excited about this next step towards opening the doors for the first cohort of 9th graders during the 2024-2025 school year.” Read more.

Women’s Swim Wins NJAC Swimming/Diving Championship

UMW Women's Swim Team Wins NJAC Championships

UMW’s women’s swim team wins inaugural New Jersey Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championship

The Mary Washington women’s swim team are the champions of the inaugural New Jersey Athletic Conference Swimming & Diving Championship meet — and have now claimed 33 total conference championships throughout its team history!

The Eagles posted a total of 1,204 total team points from Thursday-to-Sunday to claim the championship title.

UMW beat second place Salisbury, who finished second and scored 1,032 total team points.

On Sunday, Mary Washington claimed two event victories. The first, won by Bridget Zagrobelny in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:17.42), while Kinsey Brooks finished second with a final time of 2:20.03 — both swimmers qualified for the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships “B Cut” with their finishes.

The second event was won Bri Wilson (200-yard butterfly), finishing with a final time of 2:06.37, while Rose McMullen finished sixth with a final time of 2:11.09. Meanwhile, Phoebe Root claimed second place in the 200-yard backstroke with a final time of 2:04.71.

Selby Heyman finished fourth in the 100-yard freestyle with a final time of 53.08.

In a time trial, the Eagles’ 400-yard medley relay qualified for the NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships “B Cut” with a final time of 3:49.13. Root, Brooks, Wilson and Heyman are all part of the relay.

Here’s a recap of what happened during the NJAC Swimming and Diving Championships from Thursday-Saturday:

THURSDAY

The Mary Washington women’s swim team captured a pair of podium finishes on Thursday night on Day 1 of the New Jersey Athletic Conference swimming and diving championships in College Park, Md.

Phoebe RootKinsey BrooksBri Wilson and Margie Jones all teamed up for the Eagles’ first win in the 200-yard medley relay in the second event (1:44.75).

In the 800-yard freestyle relay, Ann KarrRose McMullenMarina Klein, and Bridget Zagrobelny took home third place with a final time of 7:50.25.

FRIDAY

The Mary Washington women’s swim team showed out in Day 2 of the New Jersey Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships in College Park, Md. on Friday evening.

The Eagles swept the podium in the 200-yard IM as Kinsey Brooks took home the gold (2:03.87), finishing ahead of her two teammates, Bridget Zagrobelny (2:07.70) and Delaney Humphrey (2:08.03), who finished second and third, respectively.

In the final event of the night, UMW took home first place in the 400-yard medley relay as Phoebe Root (back), Brooks (breast), Bri Wilson (fly) and Margie Jones (free) all teamed up to finish five seconds ahead of the competition (3:50.16).

Rose McMullen (5:14.63; fifth), Ashley Dyler (5:16.17; seventh), Marina Klein (5:22.88; eighth), Kaylie Curran (5:15.47; 12th), April Groce (5:16.07; 15th), and Ann Karr (5:18.18; 20th) all competed in the 500-yard freestyle.

SATURDAY

The Mary Washington women’s swim team took part in Day 3 of the New Jersey Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships and currently sit in the lead in the NJAC’s women’s swimming and diving championships heading into Sunday’s final day.

In the 100-yard breaststroke, Kinsey Brooks and Bridget Zagrobelny qualified in the NCAA Division III “B Cut,” meaning they have the chance to be invited to the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships next month. Brooks finished first with a final time of 1:03.47, while Zagrobelny finished in a close second place (1:03.99).

The Eagles also won the 200-yard freestyle relay as Brooks, Zagrobelny, Bri Wilson and Margie Jones finished with a final time of (1:37.33).

Other notes:

  • Ann Karr finished 10th in the 200-yard freestyle (1:57.65).
  • Wilson finished fourth in the 100-yard butterfly (57.53).
  • Delaney Humphrey finished fifth in the 400-yard IM (4:38.88)

This article was written by Assistant Director of Sports Information Chris Hirons.

UMW’s New Dean Gets Down to Business With Reaccreditation, Programs and More

Dean Filiz Tabak brought a broad portfolio of expertise when she came to lead the University of Mary Washington’s College of Business (COB) last summer. It helped her guide the college through a successful reaccreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, or AACSB.

“This is a significant milestone signifying our commitment to academic excellence and the highest quality standards in business degree programs and in student success,” said Tabak in the announcement last week, thanking faculty, staff and administration for their collaborative efforts in achieving this prestigious honor. Only 6% of business schools worldwide have received this international recognition, she said, which COB first earned in 2018. Read more.

Project KIND Propels UMW Alumna to Virginia’s Counselor of the Year

UMW alumna Sarah Ritchie ’14 will lead Virginia Kindness Week through the Virginia Department of Education during the second week of February 2024. Ritchie created Project KIND, a character education program helping students succeed in school and in life. Ritchie also was recognized as Virginia’s 2023 Elementary School Counselor of the Year. Brianna Rae Photography

UMW alumna Sarah Ritchie ’14 will lead Virginia Kindness Week through the Virginia Department of Education during the second week of February 2024. Ritchie created Project KIND, a character education program helping students succeed in school and in life. Ritchie also was recognized as Virginia’s 2023 Elementary School Counselor of the Year. Brianna Rae Photography

For University of Mary Washington alumna Sarah Ritchie ’14, everything starts with kindness.

As a counselor at King George Elementary School, she envisioned a kindness club, recruited student ambassadors and invited global guest speakers who inspire others. She figured that with each individual she could reach, the kindness campaign would grow in the school and in the community.

Project KIND (Kids Inspiring and Nurturing Development) now spans King George County Schools as a comprehensive character education program teaching skills that will help students succeed in school and in life. A hub for student services, after-school clubs, and the snack and food program, it promotes helpful and healthy connections with teachers, students and families. And it’s earning statewide attention.

In 2023, Ritchie was recognized as the division-wide Teacher of the Year from King George County and named Elementary School Counselor of the Year by the Virginia School Counselor Association (VSCA). The annual award recognizes an elementary or secondary school counselor who has made a positive impact in their school community.

“The Kindness Crew has a positive presence in the community, even being established for only a few years,” Ritchie said of the after-school group she runs in a recent article about the power of high fives. “The development of the Kindness Crew has allowed a strong school-wide and community relationship to bloom. I have been honored to start and lead the club, and this has been one of the proudest moments of my professional career.” Read more.

Alum Encourages Students to Take Risks, Build Relationships

Jin Wong '97

Jin Wong ’97

When Jin Wong ’97 was applying for an internship with the Atlanta Braves during his senior year at Mary Washington, he was given a choice. Did he want to interview with baseball legend Hank Aaron over the phone or in person?

“I told them, ‘Tell me where and when,’” said Wong, who flew south to meet the Baseball Hall of Famer, spending some time getting to know the player who held onto the record for most career homeruns for 33 years. “It’s all about making connections and building relationships.”

Now a Major League Baseball executive himself, Wong shared those words of wisdom when he returned to the University of Mary Washington earlier this month to speak with College of Business students, student-athletes and the UMW baseball team. The Alumni Association Board of Directors also presented an evening Q&A for alumni with board member Karmel James ’13 as host.

Wong, a business administration major and Division-III All-American outfielder at Mary Washington, shared insights from his 24 years with the Kansas City Royals and his recent decision to move to the Chicago White Sox. Named to the University’s inaugural Alumni of Distinction class, he also had a chance to visit his plaque in the first-floor gallery in George Washington Hall.

“The best advice he gave was to take risks and jump headfirst into any position in sports you can find,” said junior Thomas Martinez, who plays third base for UMW and aspires to work in sports marketing. Read more.

UMW’s Fall 2023 President’s and Dean’s Lists

The University of Mary Washington announces its fall 2023 President’s List and Dean’s List. More than 1,000 students achieved these honors during the fall 2023 semester.

To be recognized on these lists a student must carry at least 12 graded credits of new coursework. Students who earn a grade-point average of 4.00 on all work taken for graded credit in a semester receive a spot on the President’s List. Students who earn a grade-point average of 3.50 to 3.99 on all work taken for graded credit in a semester are placed on the Dean’s List.

Decisions regarding inclusion on the lists are based on a student’s record as it stands at the official close of the semester grading period. A temporary grade (I or G) postpones consideration; however, once this grade is converted to a permanent letter grade, the student’s GPA is calculated and, if appropriate, a list notation will be made on the student’s permanent record.

We congratulate the students earning these honors this semester and hope you will share in recognizing their academic achievements @MaryWash. Read more.

Former CNN Exec, Psychology Alumna Shares Lessons on Banishing Burnout

Lisa Greene ’91, who majored in psychology at Mary Washington, presented ‘Not This: A Tale of Burnout’ on Thursday, Feb., 1. Green is UMW’s current Psychology Graduate-in-Residence.

Lisa Greene ’91, who majored in psychology at Mary Washington, presented ‘Not This: A Tale of Burnout’ on Thursday, Feb., 1. Green is UMW’s current Psychology Graduate-in-Residence.

In lead human resources roles at corporate giants like CNN Worldwide and Warner Bros. Discovery, Mary Washington alumna Lisa Greene ’91 learned to anticipate crises and help teams of thousands maneuver through them

She also learned a thing or two about burnout.

“We all experience stress; there’s no way you can avoid stress,” said Greene, who points in particular to 2020, when she saw CNN through an election year and a pandemic. “Burnout is something much more chronic, where you’re really out of alignment with what you truly want to be doing. It starts to wear you down.”

Now the head of her own Connecticut-based company, Lisa Greene Consulting LLC, she’s back on track, using lessons she learned as a psychology major at Mary Washington to do more of the work she loves – executive coaching and short-term consulting. She’ll share her story tomorrow when she returns to her alma mater as the 2023-24 Psychology Graduate-in-Residence. Her talk, a free public lecture called “Not This: A Tale of Burnout” – originally scheduled for last fall – will take place on Thursday, Feb. 1, at 4 p.m., in the Hurley Convergence Center Digital Auditorium.

“It starts with awareness and really taking the time to understand how you’re feeling and why you’re feeling that way,” said Greene, who during her UMW visit will also present about her human resources work to classes and speak to students interested in pursuing related careers. “If a college student could learn early on to be mindful of some of the ways I got to that point, they might be able to avoid getting there in their own careers.” Read more.

 

UMW’s Great Lives Lecture Series Announces New Co-Director

Scott Harris (left) and Bill Crawley (right)

Scott Harris (left) and Bill Crawley (right)

The University of Mary Washington’s Great Lives lecture series announces the addition of Scott Harris ’83 to its team. As executive director of UMW Museums, Harris joins Great Lives founder and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History William Crawley as co-director of the hugely popular biography series, which returned for its 21st season in January.

Great Lives lectures are held Tuesdays and Thursdays through the end of March 2024. All are open to the public free of charge and begin at 7:30 p.m. in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium. A complete list of events, including dates, speakers and sponsors, can be found at umw.edu/greatlives.

Harris is well known in the Fredericksburg area for his extensive involvement in historic preservation, having earned his bachelor’s degree with honors in history and historic preservation from Mary Washington. He has been employed at UMW since 2011 and has served in his current role since 2018, overseeing Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, the James Monroe Museum and the Papers of James Monroe.

In addition, Harris is past president of the Virginia Association of Museums and is an editorial advisor and frequent contributor to the White House Historical Association’s journal, White House History Quarterly.

“I’m honored to work with Bill Crawley and the rest of the Great Lives team to bring such a distinguished lecture series to the public,” Harris said. “This year’s lineup is excellent, and we are looking forward to a terrific one in 2025.” Read more.