The following message is from the Office of the Provost:
UMW Campus Community,
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Professor Emeritus of Environmental Science and Biology Michael Bass.
Michael retired from UMW in 2018, having served Mary Washington for more than 45 years. He earned his Ph.D. in 1976 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and joined Mary Washington after a few years in research positions.
At Mary Washington, Michael was the driving force to build the environmental science program and was the first Chair of the new Department of Environmental Science and Geology (now Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences). He also partnered with the City of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County on a variety of projects concerned with monitoring water quality, stream bank erosion and the impact of construction projects on bodies of water such as Massaponax Creek and the Ni River. He also helped to design the retention ponds that are a notable feature of the Central Park development in Fredericksburg. He often involved his students in field-work, enabling them to present their findings at regional and national conferences.
Graduates recall his impact on their work and honored him with the Class of 1972 Dr. Michael Bass Scholarship to create opportunities for talented students with financial need to pursue undergraduate research in the sciences. When the Dr. Michael Bass scholarship was established, donors wrote notes detailing how he influenced their careers and expressing their gratitude. Many of his former students kept in touch with him through the years, and often came to visit when they were in town.
Service information is not available yet, and our condolences go to his family. We appreciate them letting campus know about Michael’s passing, so we can remember the many ways he brought scientific research to life.
Tim
Timothy M. O’Donnell
Provost
University of Mary Washington