It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Amanda Rutstein, a 2007 UMW alumna who managed the academic department offices in Monroe Hall.
Amanda received her bachelor’s degree in English from UMW, earning a fellowship toward her MFA in Creative Writing Poetry from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. A talented writer, she has been a featured guest for Women in Higher Education. Before joining the academic departments in Monroe Hall, she worked in the HCC and previously served as an adjunct instructor for the Department of English and Linguistics, where she taught many sections of Intro to Creative Writing and ENGL 202: Writing about Empathy.
She has been a mentor to many students and returned to work at UMW as a tutor, further supporting students in their academic endeavors through the Writing Center and Division of Teaching and Learning Technologies. The campus community was like family, with many close friends and regular traditions, including bringing her son to the Multicultural Fair every year. Her colleagues and closest friends note that she is extremely funny, honest, ridiculously generous in every way, practical and strong.
Our sympathies and support go to her family, as well as members of our campus community who worked closely with her, from her time in the classroom to her time at the front of the classroom. As a longtime member of our community, her work and words have reached many, and we know that many will grieve the loss.
Any employee in need of additional support can access the Employee Assistance Program, which is available at no cost with state employee health insurance plans, with more information on the Human Resources website. Employees can also reach out to Human Resources for additional support by contacting Executive Director of Human Resources Beth Williams at bwilli22@umw.edu.
Students seeking support this summer can also access on-demand, free mental health services any time via TimelyCare, online or via the app. Go to timelycare.com/umw or download the TimelyCare app to access care via Apple App Store or Google Play Store. TimelyCare’s TalkNow is available 24 hours a day. Visit the Talley Center website for more information and additional resources.
TimelyCare uses single sign-on so you’ll access it with your UMW NetID – just using umw.edu at the end (mail.umw.edu will not work). Please note that you’ll complete an information form on your first visit to the site.
Service information is not yet available, and we’ll update our campus community with ways to gather and remember Amanda as the family shares more information.
Jeff McClurken
Chief of Staff