Author: Brynn Boyer

Allyson is in the fourth class of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Fredericksburg program, and she will graduate this afternoon during a ceremony at the University of Mary Washington’s Stafford campus. The Chamber is now accepting applications for the fifth class this fall. People who are interested can attend a May 19 informational meeting for more information.

Congratulations Allyson!

I wanted to draw your attention to our new summer enrichment program. You can find out more at www.umw.edu/sep . It’s designed for rising 8-12 grades and has a wide variety of courses. I am giving all faculty and staff a discount, so if your kids need to have something fun to do, just send me an email.

Best,

T

Teresa A. Kennedy
Professor of English
Chair, Department of English, Linguistics, and Communication

Did you know…

• If you take no action during Open Enrollment, you will remain in the same health plan, membership, or waived status and will not have a Flexible Reimbursement Account.
• You can save out-of-pocket health care and/or child and elder care costs by enrolling in a Flexible Reimbursement Account.
• You must enroll in a Flexible Reimbursement Account each plan year; Flex Accounts do not automatically roll over.
• You may now cover eligible dependent children through the end of the year in which they turn age 26.
• If your eligible child is on extended coverage, he/she will not automatically be enrolled in your health plan. You must add your child during Open Enrollment.
• Many of the rules related to dependent eligibility no longer apply?

For additional information and to make your benefits elections, please visit the Open Enrollment website (http://www.umw.edu/hr/benefits/open_enrollment1111111.php).  If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Tammy Prailey in the Office of Human Resources at 654-1215 or tprailey@umw.edu.

The James Monroe Museum will be hosting an elegant full afternoon tea in our Memorial Garden on Sunday, June 5, from 2 to 4 p.m., in honor of Elizabeth Monroe, who was born in June. We’ll enjoy lovely harp music from Mary Triola; hear a few words about Mrs. Monroe from Heidi Stello, research associate at the Papers of James Monroe; and enjoy delicious munchies and tea served by costumed members of the Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society. Catering will be generously donated by Sodexo, Inc.

Our space is limited and reservations are required. UMW faculty and staff can purchase tickets for the reduced price of $10/person. For questions or to make reservations, call JMM Membership and Special Events Coordinator Adele Uphaus-Conner at x1123, or send e-mail to auphaus@umw.edu.

The University of Mary Washington presented its top honors during commencement ceremonies Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7.

Teresa A. Kennedy, professor of English and chair of the Department of English, Linguistics, and Communication, was presented the Grellet C. Simpson Award, the institution’s most prestigious annual award for excellence in undergraduate teaching. The recipient is routinely a senior member of the faculty.

Krystyn Moon, associate professor of American Studies, received the UMW Alumni Association Outstanding Young Faculty Member Award, which is presented annually to an exceptional member of the faculty who has served the institution for at least two years but no more than five years.

Charles M. Murphy, assistant professor of political science, received the Mary W. Pinschmidt Award. The winner is selected by the graduating class as the faculty member “whom they will most likely remember as the one who had the greatest impact on their lives.”

Laurie B. Abeel, associate professor of education, was presented with the Graduate Faculty Award, which recognizes an exceptional full-time faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in graduate teaching and professional leadership in a graduate program. The person selected must have served in a full-time position at the university for at least two years.