December 19, 2024

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Farewell for Melina Downs, Aug. 10

by

Melina Downs Makes a Move
From public relations to public school

Are you smarter than a fifth grader? Probably not, if the fifth graders are the ones in Melina Downs’ classroom at Locust Grove Elementary School!

Melina, who has worked for her alma mater eight years, will be writing lesson plans instead of press releases and posting on the blackboard instead of EagleVision screens. With a freshly minted MA in education from UMW, 2015, Melina has landed a full-time job close to home as a fifth-grade teacher at the school she attended and the school her children will be attending.

For nearly a decade, Melina has been an invaluable asset to UMW, first on the Stafford campus and, later, in Fredericksburg. Our media manager, she manages to squeeze a lot into each day, including longtime and dedicated service to the Leadership Colloquium and to the Staff Advisory Council.

Many of you all across campus have been touched by Melina’s energy and smile. Help us send her off in style. Please drop by University Relations, suite 300 in Eagle Village, after lunch on Monday, Aug. 10.  From 1 to 3 p.m, we will offer Blackstone coffee and delectable desserts.

About Anna Billingsley

Anna B. Billingsley, associate vice president for university relations, has worked at UMW since 2004.

Comments

  2. Patricia Reynolds says

    All the very best to you Melina as you begin your education career!! You will be a star!!

  3. Janet Cropp says

    I will be out of town on the 10th, but I want to wish you all the best, Melina. Thanks for doing a great job at UMW.

    Janet

  4. Carolyn Chewning says

    Melina – congratulations! I don’t know how you have juggled everything on your plate, but am delighted that it has worked out. I know you will miss the opportunities at UMW and wish you the best as you move to ‘5th grade challenges’!!

    Carolyn 🙂

  5. Paul Boger says

    If I can’t make it down to Fredericksburg on Monday, I wanted to wish you the best of luck on your exciting new adventure in the teaching world. We’ll miss seeing you around the campuses.