Author: Brynn Boyer

The University has formed a new Web Advisory Committee, comprising representative students, faculty, and staff from all areas of the University.  The committee is co-chaired by George Farrar, Associate VP of University Relations, and myself, Cathy Finn-Derecki, University Webmaster.

The first meeting of the committee was held today, September 17. The committee discussed how the web site is being used now, with the goal in mind of developing “a compelling, unforgettable public Web presence that acts as a primary recruiting tool and helps position UMW as the top public liberal arts and sciences institution in the country.”

With that objective in mind, we took a look at the road ahead. This will be the first major overhaul of the site since 2006, and, as such, is a broad-reaching project. Needless to say, feedback from all areas of the University, via the members of this committee, will be sought as we move forward. If you’d like more information, read my blog about the committee’s progress as we move along, and maybe answer a poll there while you are at it!

In the interim, look for a fresher face on our home page in the coming weeks!

The James Monroe Museum and the Welsh Society of Fredericksburg will host the annual Fredericksburg Welsh Festival this year on Saturday, September 25, 2010, from noon to 5 p.m. Come join us in the 900 block of Charles Street (in front of the museum) in downtown Fredericksburg to honor the Welsh ancestry of James Monroe – whose mother, Elizabeth Jones, was from Wales – with live Celtic music, crafts vendors, dancing, story-telling, poetry and infamous Welsh cookies! 

This year, festival-goers will enjoy traditional food of the British Isles catered by downtown’s Blarney Stone Irish Pub and will be treated to the lovely sounds of the Choir of the British School of Washington, D.C.

Joining the British School Choir on the main stage will be perennial fair favorites IONA, the Washington area’s premiere Pan-Celtic ensemble; songstress Jodee James; and local group Moch Pryderi.  

Entertainment in the Masonic Cemetery adjoining the museum will include the Dragon Lady, Jeanette Episcopo; professional story-teller Cindy Roser; amazing Welsh Speaker Bob Roser; and James Monroe himself! 

A donation of $4 for adults and $1 for children will be requested to defray the cost of entertainment. For more information, visit the festival website at www.welshfred.com, or call the museum at (540) 654-1043. 

The Welsh Festival is part of the University of Mary Washington’s Family Weekend and is partially supported by funding from the Virginia Commission for the Arts. 

Join us as we celebrate Wales and the heritage of James Monroe!

Gary Stanton, associate professor of historic preservation, is participating in “Taming the Wilderness” on Sunday, September 26. This living history event will take place at Ellwood Manor at the Wilderness Battlefield. Gary speaks at 1 and 3 p.m. on the architecture of the period. More information is at http://www.fowb.org/tamingthewilderness

The University of Mary Washington Cap and Gown chapter of Mortar Board was recently recognized as outstanding at the 2010 Mortar Board National Conference.

Marcia K. Thompson, a veteran mediator and attorney, will share her insights into leadership at the 17th annual Leadership Colloquium for Professional Women on Thursday, November 4 at the University of Mary Washington (UMW) Stafford campus.
This year, the perennially popular colloquium will feature ten seminars about a range of topics, including creative problem-solving, communication, employee recognition, office aesthetics and the importance of passions.