Mehdi Aminrazavi published a book review of the following volume: Mohammad Azadpour’s Reason Unbound: On Spiritual Practice in Islamic Peripatetic Philosophy (New York: SUNY Press, 2011). The review appeared in the recent issue of the International Journal of Middle East Studies (IJMES), pp. 175-177.
Nicole Crowder, assistant professor of chemistry, presented the results of her research at the 2nd Biennial Carbon Dioxide Symposium held at Princeton University on Nov. 9. The symposium was focused on the chemical reduction of carbon dioxide and featured leading experts in this area of research. Her presentation, entitled “Characterization and Quantitative Determination of Surface Loading of Phosphonate Monolayers on Copper for Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide,” included the latest results from her research that aims to use carbon dioxide as a carbon feedstock material for the production of organic molecules or alternate fuels. Undergraduate research students Karmel James ’13, Eric Johnson ’14, and Sarah Almahdali ’11 were co-authors.
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the university’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, and Stephen P. Hanna, professor of geography, had opinion columns on the changing nature of Virginia politics published in the Washington Post and the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The University of Mary Washington Geography Club and Department of Geography celebrated National Geography Awareness Week during the week of Nov. 11 through Nov. 17.
On Tuesday, Nov. 13 members of the UMW Geography Club celebrated by presenting a ‘Trivia Table’ in front of Lee Hall to engage fellow students in geography competitions to win prizes. The event, which was organized by Dr. Caitie Finlayson, was the first the Geography Club has attempted to put on in several years. The club hopes to make it an annual event.
The same day, geography majors accompanied Dr. Jackie Gallagher to the National Museum of the Marine Corps to participate in Geography Day, an annual event at the museum to emphasize geographic literacy among local fifth grade students. Agencies and companies such as the Virginia Geographic Alliance, an organization promoting geography education in Virginia, and the United States Geological Survey were also in attendance. At the event UMW students worked with the Virginia Geographic Alliance and in activities with fifth graders to spread the word about geography.
Dan Clendaniel, current Teacher in Residence at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, thanked the UMW representatives “for keeping geography education alive as a vital component in the overall education of our students.”
Professor of History Jeffrey McClurken’s lecture “Before the Battle of Fredericksburg” will air on C-SPAN on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. and again at 10 p.m.
McClurken’s lecture, which was originally presented at the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center in October, discusses the Civil War leading up to December 1862, when the Battle of Fredericksburg was fought. Using the words of politicians, military officers, journalists and locals from the 1860’s, McClurken sets the state for the battle by discussing the political situations in the North and South, and tracing changes in Union and Confederate commands.
