Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson’s article, “France, Britain and the intervention in Libya: an integrated analysis,” appears in the most recent issue of The Cambridge Review of International Affairs.
UMW Rector Receives Honorary Degree
The Honorable Pamela J. White, rector of the University of Mary Washington Board of Visitors, has received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Washington and Lee University.
The Hon. Pamela J. White, left, with Washington and Lee President Kenneth P. Ruscio prior to Judge White’s receiving an honorary degree. Photo courtesy of Washington and Lee University.
Since 2007, White has served as a judge for the circuit court of Maryland for Baltimore City.
Before that, she practiced law in Baltimore for three decades, with the bulk of her work being cases of discrimination, harassment, benefit disputes, wrongful discharges and equal-pay violations. A talented and tenacious attorney, she became the first woman to be named a partner at Ober/Kaler, Grimes & Shriver.
White, a 1974 graduate of UMW, earned her law degree at Washington and Lee University’s School of Law, where she served as editor of the Law News and a member of the Law Review.
She has served as president of both the Maryland State Bar Association and the Women’s Bar Association. A longtime supporter of legal services for the poor, she has done extensive pro bono work and served the Maryland Legal Services Corp.
“In all these capacities, you have been an advocate for access, diversity, integrity and quality in higher education,” the degree citation from W&L stated. “By your own example, you have shown how a lifelong commitment to learning can foster professional success and civic responsibility.”
In addition, this diehard Baltimore Orioles fan has been a celebrated softball player in the Lawyer’s League. In 2006 and 2007, she was named one of the best attorneys in America. In 2007, White was selected as a Maryland Super Lawyer, an honor that involves recognition of extraordinary professional powers and “the ability to leap tall courthouses in a single bound.”
For the institutions from which she earned degrees, she has been a tireless alumna and dedicated leader. In addition to leading UMW’s Board of Visitors, she served on the Board of Trustees at W&L and as president of the W&L Law Council. White continues to be an advocate for access, diversity, integrity and quality in higher education.
White’s award was presented at W&L’s commencement exercises on May 23.
Fire & Police Training Exercises in Chandler Hall Vicinity, May 28-30 and June 2
The following message is from the UMW Office of Emergency Management and Safety:
UMW is assisting the City of Fredericksburg’s fire and police departments with training exercises in and around the vicinity of Chandler Hall (near the intersection of College Avenue and Parcell Street) during the periods of May 28-30 and June 2, 2013. On these dates, you may observe fire/police vehicles as well as emergency personnel (including K-9s) conducting training for their regular and specialized units. You should not be alarmed by the presence of these agencies on campus, and you should not contact local emergency phone lines. This will be well-prepared and safely executed training under highly controlled and supervised conditions.
Hyatt Place Fredericksburg Names General Manager
The University of Mary Washington Foundation and Interstate Hotels & Resorts have appointed James A. Fournier as general manager for the 93-room Hyatt Place Fredericksburg hotel currently under construction. Located in the Eagle Village mixed-use development complex between Mary Washington Hospital and the University of Mary Washington, the Hyatt Place broke ground last August and plans to open in the fall of 2013. The hotel is owned by the University of Mary Washington Foundation and will be operated by Interstate Hotels & Resorts.
As general manager for the hotel, Fournier will cultivate and lead the hotel’s executive team and manage the hotel through the pre-opening phase into opening and full operations, with responsibility for day-to-day operations upon opening.
Fournier brings 23 years of experience to his role, including 12 years in operations leadership as a general manager with Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn by Marriott properties. Most recently, he was general manager at the Residence Inn in Alexandria, where he successfully managed the hotel through the construction phase to opening.
During his tenure with Marriott, Fournier received numerous accolades, including the Top Operations Excellence Award in 2010 based on high quality assurance and guest service satisfaction scores.
“Jim is a top performer in the hotel business and brings the level of service and experience to our hotel that both we as owners, and Hyatt as a global brand, will expect from a general manager,” said Jeff Rountree, CEO of the UMW Foundation. “Our goal is to run a hotel with the customer service and friendliness of a Ritz Carlton, but within the body of a select-service hotel product. We believe this can be done and we believe Jim is the right man for the job.”
Fournier has a degree from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass.
The premium select-service Hyatt Place Fredericksburg hotel is located at 1241 Jefferson David Highway. Upon completion, the hotel will have 93 spacious guestrooms featuring the Hyatt Grand Bed™ and Cozy Corner sofa-sleeper; 2,000 square feet of meeting space; an indoor pool and fitness center; Gallery Menu, Fresh 24/7 and Gallery Market for a la carte items; a coffee and spirits bar; a complimentary hot breakfast; and complimentary Wi-Fi in guestrooms and throughout the hotel.
Orientation Overview
Please save the date of Wednesday, May 29, at 11 a.m. in Dodd Auditorium for the opportunity to learn more about New Student Orientation. The Orientation Planning Committee will take this opportunity to review the schedule and answer any questions you may have as we work to welcome about 1,000 incoming students and their guests to campus. Please review the the list of sessions below.
Summer 2013 Orientation Dates– Sessions are two days long and begin early on day one and last through mid-day on the second day. Sessions will overlap. Please note the session dates below:
- Session #1 June 17-18
- Session #2 June 18-19
- Session #3 June 19-20
- Session #4 June 24-25
- Session #5 June 25-26
- Session #6 June 26-27
- Session #7 August 22 (one day)
- Transfer Session #1 June 14 (one day)
- Transfer Session #2 June 21 (one day)
UMW Community Donates More Than 10,000 Pounds to Goodwill
University of Mary Washington students, faculty and staff donated more than 10,000 pounds of clothing and household items during the “Drop N’ Go!” donation drive in April and May. The drive was a collaborative effort with Rappahannock Goodwill Industries (RGI).
According to Bill Raynore, coordinator of corporate donations for RGI, UMW’s per student amount of donations exceeded that of some large universities. This was the first year for the partnership between RGI and UMW.
Rappahannock Goodwill Industries (RGI) operates 10 stores, one outlet, a commercial laundry, contract custodial and administrative services, three job help centers, and numerous attended donation centers in the city of Fredericksburg and a 12-county region in Virginia. RGI’s mission is to provide to people with barriers to employment – particularly those with disabilities – an array of quality vocational and educational services so that they can work most independently.
Mary Beth Mathews Presents at Yale
Mary Beth Mathews, associate professor of religion, presented “‘What is the Matter with White Baptists?’ : African Americans’ Initial Encounters with Fundamentalism” at the International Fundamentals: Early Fundamentalism and the American Century Conference at Yale University.
Stephen Farnsworth Featured in Regional Media
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the university’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, appeared on NewsChannel 8’s “NewsTalk,” on May 21 to discuss the latest issues in Virginia Politics.
In addition, Farnsworth’s analysis of the upcoming Virginia governor’s race has been part of reports appearing in Reuters, the Chicago Tribune, and WAMU.
Two UMW-Affiliated Museums Welcome Military This Summer
This summer, Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont and the James Monroe Memorial Museum and Library will offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families as part of a nationwide initiative. Blue Star Museums, which runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, is a collaborative effort between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and the Department of Defense. Since its start in 2010, the initiative has grown to include more than 2,000 museums and historic sites across the country.
“Like others of his generation, James Monroe not only served his country, he helped create it,” said Scott Harris, director of the James Monroe Museum. “He fought with courage and distinction in the Revolutionary War and suffered a near-fatal wound at the Battle of Trenton. For the rest of his life he had nothing but praise and respect for veterans. It is therefore especially appropriate for the museum that bears his name to be one of the Blue Star Museums.”
The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card, or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active duty U.S. military – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps – and up to five family members. Leadership support has been provided by MetLife Foundation through Blue Star Families.
“Gari Melchers Home and Studio is delighted to participate in the Blue Star Museum program to honor and thank those who serve us so well both here and abroad,” said David Berreth, director of Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont. “We hope that our quiet corner of the world will offer respite and inspiration to service members and their families throughout the summer.”
For a complete list of participating museums, visit www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.
Blue Star Families is a national, nonprofit network of military families from all ranks and services, dedicated to supporting, connecting and empowering military families. The organization hosts numerous morale and empowerment programs, including Books on Bases, Blue Star Museums, Operation Honor Corp, Blue Star Careers and Operation Appreciation. Blue Star Families also works directly with the Department of Defense and senior members of local, state and federal government to bring the most important military family issues to light. For more information, visit http://www.bluestarfam.org.
The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies and the philanthropic sector. For more information, visit www.arts.gov.
Gari Melchers Home and Studio is a 28-acre estate and former residence of the artist Gari Melchers and his wife Corinne. The property, which is operated by the University of Mary Washington, is both a Virginia Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark. Located at 224 Washington St. in Falmouth, Va., a quarter mile west of the intersection of U.S. 1 and U.S. 17, it is open daily with an admission charge. The museum also serves as the official Stafford County Visitor Center. For directions and other information, call (540) 654-1015 or visit the museum website at www.GariMelchers.org.
The James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library is a National Historic Landmark owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia and administered by the University of Mary Washington. Founded in 1927, it is the nation’s largest repository of artifacts and documents related to the fifth President of the United States. For hours of operation, directions, and other information, call (540) 654-1043, or visit www.jamesmonroemuseum.org.