Region’s Environment to be Discussed in D.C. (The Free Lance-Star)
Building a Personal Domain (Educational IT)
Va. Colleges Garner Good Grades in New Kiplinger Affordability Index (Sun Gazette)
In Remembrance of Newtown Victims
The following is a message from University of Mary Washington President Richard V. Hurley:
As all of you know, on Dec. 14, after most students had departed campus for winter break, Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, experienced an unimaginable tragedy. This event has had a profound impact, not only on those families directly affected, but upon our entire nation.
On the first day of classes for the Spring semester, exactly one month after the Newtown tragedy, the UMW community would like to acknowledge and honor those children and educators who lost their lives. We also extend condolences to our students and faculty and staff who have ties to Connecticut. Accordingly, a Connecticut state flag will be flown from Lee Hall throughout the first week of the semester.
At any point during the first week of classes, I encourage members of our campus to turn their thoughts to the Sandy Hook victims and to pause at Lee Hall for a moment of personal reflection.
Chris Kilmartin Chosen for Air Force Academy Post
Christopher Kilmartin, professor of psychology at the University of Mary Washington, has been chosen to serve as a Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
From July 2013 to June 2014, Kilmartin will teach courses in violence prevention and gender studies. He also will consult with sexual assault prevention personnel at the Air Force Academy to assist in improving the school’s programming.
For more information about Kilmartin’s work, read the full news release from Jan. 10.
Steve Griffin Receives VCA Fellowship
Steve Griffin, professor emeritus of art at the University of Mary Washington, is a recipient of a 2012-2013 Artist Fellowship from the Virginia Commission of the Arts.
Steve Griffin, shown with paintings from his “Strata, Neo-Strata and Core” series, received an Artist Fellowship from the Virginia Commission for the Arts
The Virginia Commission of the Arts awards fellowships annually to artists residing in Virginia in recognition of creative excellence and to support their pursuit of artistic excellence. Griffin is one of five Virginia artists honored in the field of painting. Each artist will receive a fellowship of $5,000.
Griffin, an accomplished photographer, painter and printmaker, was awarded a Virginia Museum of Fine Arts professional fellowship in 2011. His work has appeared in more than 150 local, regional and national exhibitions.
Griffin joined the UMW faculty in 1983 and taught printmaking, photography, drawing and design courses for 25 years. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Dakota and a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin.
Artist Fellowships from the Virginia Commission of the Arts are offered on a rotating basis to Virginia artists in the disciplines of crafts, photography, sculpture, fiction, music composition, choreography, painting, works on paper (prints and drawing), poetry, playwriting and filmmaking. The Virginia Commission for the Arts is the state agency that supports the arts through funding from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. The commission distributes grant awards to artists, arts and other not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, educators and local governments and provides technical assistance in arts management.
English Faculty Present at MLA Conference
Gary Richards
Two professors and one recent alumnus of the Department of English, Linguistics, and Communication presented at the Modern Language Association Conference that met Jan. 3 through 6 in Boston, Mass. Assistant Professor Zach Whalen presented the paper “OCR (Optical Character Recognition) and the Vestigial Aesthetics of Machine Vision” on the panel Reading the Invisible and Unwanted in Old and New Media. Associate Professor Gary Richards presented the paper “Tennessee Williams and the Burden of Southern Sexuality Studies” on the panel The South and Sexuality. Alumnus Tyler Babbie, ’08, presented the paper “Another Term: Richard Aldington and Imagism(e)” on the panel From Imagism to “Amygism” to Vorticism.
Zach Whalen
S.A.C.’s Drive a Success
The S.A.C.’s “Holiday Help for the Homeless” drive went extremely well. The donations were extraordinary – we completely filled the UMW van from floor to ceiling, including every nook and cranny. The donations were turned over to social service staff on Wednesday, Dec.19, and were received with a lot of relief and emotion. I was told repeatedly that these items, which included almost a dozen crockpots and many food and hygiene items, will absolutely benefit our area’s needy. The UMW employees really came through, once again, with the items that the organizations suggested.
I’m again amazed at the unending generosity of our UMW staff.
— Priscilla Sullivan, activities chair of the S.A.C.
Greg Render Named Excellent Eagle Employee
Congratulations to Greg Render of the UMW Post Office who has been selected as the Excellent Eagle Employee for the month of January.
Here is what one of his co-workers said about him:
“Greg is amazing. He is kind, efficient, generous. He has an outstanding attitude, goes the extra mile, and spreads joy. I would love to see him recognized in some substantial way!”
To nominate someone who you believe is an Excellent Eagle Employee, send an email to Priscilla Sullivan (psulliva@umw.edu) with Excellent Eagle Employee in the subject line. In your email, be sure to list the person’s name, department, work location (with the most convenient parking lot), and of course, the reason why you believe they should be recognized. Please spread the word to other employees about this wonderful opportunity to recognize a co-worker(s).