Author: Brynn Boyer

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

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

Eagle Dining will be hosting its traditional free Midnight Breakfast for students on Monday night (April 29^th) 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, 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, 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.