Laurie Abeel, Associate Professor of Education, is the Virginia Affiliate Director for Destination Imagination. On April 13, she ran a state tournament with 162 teams of students from around the state. Teams of up to 7 students, from elementary through university level, presented their solutions to technical, science-based, fine arts, improvisational, structure, or service learning challenges. She will lead the 43 advancing teams to the Global Finals tournament at the University of Tennessee at the end of May.
Laurie Abeel Leads Successful Destination Imagination State Tournament
Administrative Professionals Day
Congratulations to our 25 administrative professionals who were able to attend the 11th annual Administrative Professionals’ Seminar with this year’s theme, “Honoring the Office Professionals Who Make Offices Work.” Some of the topics covered were “Professionalism in the Workplace,” “Fierce Leadership for the Administrative Professional,” “What Leaders Do: Being a leader in all Aspects of your life,” and “Social Media Savvy.” We are happy our colleagues were able to take advantage of this great learning opportunity.
– Submitted by the Office of Human Resources
UMW App Entrepreneurs Win Start-up Challenge
Imagine an app where users could access an interactive map of the University of Mary Washington to determine whether any treadmills are available in the Fitness Center, check the menu at Seacobeck Dining Hall, or find events on campus. This enterprising idea already brewing in the heads of senior Seamus Hooban and recent graduate Andy Leonard may soon become a reality.
In a nod to the popular TV show Shark Tank, UMW students recently pitched their business plans to a panel of judges as part of the Eagle Start-up Challenge. The brainchild of the student-run UMW Entrepreneurs Club, the Center for Economic Development’s EagleWorks, and the Small Business Development Center, the challenge encourages start-up businesses among students.
Hooban, an economics major, and Leonard, an English major, received a cash prize of $350, provided by the Rappahannock Economic Development Corp. They plan to create a mobile app, called Campus Connect, where campus information can be aggregated in one centralized place to maximize students’ time.
The first place winners also earned access to a virtual office through the Small Business Development Center’s latest project EagleWorks, paid admission to a BluePrint business class and free consultations with the Small Business Development Center.
Eventually, Leonard and Hooban hope to expand beyond UMW to other colleges and universities. They believe that this app would save colleges and universities money because it would help them determine how to allocate resources.
The second place prize of $150 went to junior Anthony Seippel for his company Ruiner Wear. An artist, Seippel plans to build an artist brand where he creates commissioned designs and other artwork. He has already sold designs, logos, and T-shirts. Other presentations included a micro-brewing company and a legal services portal.
By Melina Downs
Volunteers Needed for Midnight Breakfast
Eagle Dining will be hosting its traditional free Midnight Breakfast for students on Monday night (April 29th) between 11 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. at Seacobeck Hall. We are in need of additional volunteers to help serve at this fun and very fast paced event! If you would like to volunteer, please contact Rose Benedict at rbenedic@umw.edu by Monday morning.
Daniel Preston Interviewed for Voice of America
Daniel Preston, editor of the Papers of James Monroe, was interviewed by Voice of America for a segment on Elizabeth Monroe, wife of President James Monroe. The interview will be part of program broadcast in South Korea and North Korea on May 8.
Claudia Emerson Receives Waple Award for Professional Achievement
Claudia Emerson, Arrington Distinguished Chair of Poetry and professor of English, is the recipient of the university’s inaugural Waple Award for Professional Achievement. The award was announced during the General Faculty Meeting on April 24.
The award, based on faculty nominations, recognizes Emerson’s scholarly, creative and professional achievements.
Three Faculty Awarded Waple Professorships
Three faculty members have received Waple Professorships to support two years of research and scholarship. In the inaugural year of the professorships, awards went to one faculty member from each of the three colleges: Allyson Poska, professor of history; George Meadows, professor of education; and Dave Henderson, assistant professor of accounting and management information systems.
The professorships are supported by an endowment from the estate of Shirley Van Epps Waple’52. For more information about the professorships, visit http://cas.umw.edu/dean/waple-professorship/.
Ken Tyler Featured on WFVA
Athletic Director Ken Tyler was the featured guest on the WFVA 1230 program “Town Talk” on Tuesday, April 23. The interview is available in four segments: Segment #1; Segment #2; Segment #3; Segment #4.