November 22, 2024

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Every Vote Counts

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Voting is a way of life for most people. Regaining the right to vote poses no easy task for convicted felons who have served time in prison.

Benjamin Hermerding aims to turn that around.

A political science major at the University of Mary Washington, Hermerding interns with the Commonweath’s Restoration of Rights Department  that restores voting rights to convicted felons who have served their prison time. Within the past few years, the Richmond Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office division has granted them more rights than in any other time in Virginia’s history, according to Hermerding.

Students to Celebrate Research and Creativity, April 24

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Do polymers provide a cure for cancer? Should college be free? Is recycling plastic environmentally friendly? Art 15 (2)These quandaries are a sampling of issues that nearly 400 students from the University of Mary Washington will tackle at the Undergraduate Student Research and Creativity Day Symposium on Friday, April 24. The event, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on students’ last day of class, will be located at the Information and Technology Convergence Center (ITCC), with related activities taking place in other academic buildings. The Ridderhof and duPont galleries displaying student artwork will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The symposium, now in its ninth year, represents students from 20 major disciplines, including natural sciences, humanities, modern and ancient languages, social sciences, visual and performing arts, mathematics and computer science. Students will present their works to other UMW students, faculty and the community. According to Grant Woodwell, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and chair of the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department, the symposium gives students the outlet to present their semester-long research in a creative way. “The day helps to highlight the best that we have to offer as an institution of liberal arts and sciences,” said Woodwell. “We are justly proud of the many students who engage in independent learning activities and have had the opportunity to work closely with a faculty mentor.” The Research and Creativity Day Symposium, which began in 2007, has changed locations over the years, most recently taking place at Jepson Hall in 2014. The ITCC will serve as home to the symposium this year, and is projected to be a permanent location for the event in the future. Woodwell, who also organized the event, is excited to bring students’ research to life utilizing the ITCC’s space and resources. “We are looking forward to a spacious display of posters distributed throughout the ITCC,” said Woodwell. “The space will allow better interaction between the student authors and their visitors.”

For more information on the Research and Creativity Day Symposium, visit the event’s website or contact Woodwell at gwoodwel@umw.edu.

UMW Environmental Science Professor Receives Fulbright Scholarship

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Melanie Szulczewski, associate professor of Earth and environmental Sciences at the University of Mary Washington, has been selected to receive a prestigious 2015-2016 Fulbright U.S. Scholar grant. Szulczewski will use the grant to conduct research at the University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland.   Melanie Szulczewski, associate professor of Earth and environmental Sciences Szulczewski is one of two professors at UMW to receive the Fulbright Scholarship this year. Julius Esunge, assistant professor of mathematics, will be traveling to Buea, Cameroon to construct and compare predictive models for healthcare costs and to teach classes at the University of Buea. The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international exchange program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau. The scholarship program gives professors the opportunity to conduct research and network with other professors from around the world. While in Poland, Szulczewski will study ecosystem restoration on former mining sites with Marcin Pietrzykowski, professor and researcher of forest ecology at the University of Agriculture in Krakow. Pietrzykowski previously received a Fulbright Scholarship to work at Virginia Tech in the 2013-2014 academic year. “This opportunity to work with him will enhance my field and analytical skills,” said Szulczewski. “It will benefit both of our research groups and add to the knowledge base for rehabilitating thousands of contaminated mining sites worldwide.” Szulczewski, an environmental scientist who specializes in soil chemistry, came to UMW in 2008. Prior to teaching at UMW, Szulczewski received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and French literature from Cornell University. Szulczewski also received both a master’s degree in soil science and a doctorate in soil science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

UMW to Host Psi Chi Symposium, April 23-24

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The University of Mary Washington’s chapter of Psi Chi, an international honor society for psychology, will hold the 30th annual Psi Chi Research Symposium on Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24.   Amy Van Arsdale, 2015 Psi Chi Symposium Keynote The keynote address , “Questioning, Creativity, and Caring: Impacting Your Community at Every Level”  will be given by Amy Van Arsdale, assistant professor of psychology at Marymount University, at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 24. An award ceremony and reception will follow. More than 130 students will present their research as part of the symposium on Thursday, April 23 from 8:40 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. and on Friday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Lee Hall, Room 411. The symposium and research presentations are free and open to the public. Arsdale teaches classes on abnormal psychology, counseling theories and personality theories at Marymount University.  In her personal research, Arsdale studies the development of delinquent behavior among adolescent girls, which she developed an interest in while working on a research grant for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. Arsdale also is interested in the study of juvenile justice, adolescent sex offenders and perfectionism. Arsdale completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Towson University Counseling Center prior to teaching at Marymount in 2010. In addition, she has conducted couple, group and individual psychotherapy at a domestic violence shelter, community mental health center and university counseling centers. For more information about the symposium, contact Mindy Erchull, associate professor of psychology, at 540-654-1557. To view the program, visit http://cas.umw.edu/psychology/files/2012/02/symposium-final-program_2015.pdf.

Virginia Education Specialist Named UMW Educator-in-Residence

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Robert Fugate ‘02, an assessment specialist for the Virginia Department of Education, has been named the University of Mary Washington’s Educator-in-Residence. He will present the keynote lecture at the College of Education’s Graduate Research Symposium on Saturday, April 25.   Robert Fugate ‘02 The symposium will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the North Building of UMW’s Stafford campus. Following Fugate’s 12:45 p.m. remarks, recognition and celebration of the 2014-2015 College of Education graduates will take place at 1:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Fugate’s talk will focus on his role as an LEP and how his experience at UMW, where he received a post-baccalaureate certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2003, influenced his career. As an assessment specialist in limited English proficiency (LEP), Fugate manages the statewide administration of the English language proficiency assessment testing program and provides technical assistance regarding LEP students’ participation in the Standards of Learning assessments. Fugate played an integral role in representing the Virginia Department of Education as part of the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) Consortium by serving on the WIDA Executive Committee. Fugate currently serves on the Steering Committee for the new online ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 test and as chairperson of a subcommittee for developing the score report for the new ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 test. Before he accepted the position as the LEP assessment specialist in 2007, Fugate received a master’s degree in writing from Bowling Green State University. Fugate also taught middle school in the gifted and talented education program in Berkeley County, W.Va., and English as a second language to elementary school students in Chesterfield County, Va. For more information about the symposium and keynote address, contact the College of Education at (540) 654-1034.

UMW to Ring in 150th Anniversary of Appomattox Surrender

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The University of Mary Washington will join communities across the country in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the surrender at Appomattox by ringing the campanile bells on the Fredericksburg campus, April 9.

UMW's Carmen Culpeper Chappell Centennial Campanile Tower

UMW’s Carmen Culpeper Chappell Centennial Campanile Tower

The ringing of the bells commemorates the surrender that marked the beginning of the end of the Civil War. The Appomattox Courthouse will lead the bell ringing at 3 p.m., followed by UMW and other area organizations ringing their bells at 3:15 p.m. Bells will ring for four minutes, each minute representing a year of the Civil War. The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia also will ring.

The surrender at the Appomattox Court House took place on April 9, 1865. Confederate General Robert E. Lee was surrounded by the Union soldiers, led by Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant. Unable to escape and not wanting to risk unnecessary loss, Lee surrendered to the Union, a historic moment that led to the end of the Civil War.

UMW will ring the Carmen Culpeper Chappell Centennial Campanile, which was dedicated in May 2007 to honor the Carmen Culpeper Chappell, a 1959 alumna and wife of John Chappell who honored her with the iconic 88-foot-tall tower.

Jeff McClurken, professor of history and American studies and special assistant to the provost for teaching, technology and innovation, said the surrender at the Appomattox marked the beginning of emancipation, a milestone that changed the United States.

“Millions of Americans were going to be freed who weren’t free before 1861,” said McClurken, who has written the book Take Care of the Living: Reconstruction of Confederate Veteran Families in Virginia about the aftermath of the Civil War.

The event is organized by the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. For more information, contact Frank_O’Reilly@ns.gov.

UMW to Host 2015 NACC Conference

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The University of Mary Washington will host the 2015 National Association of Communication Centers Conference on April 17-18, giving professionals across the country the opportunity to share in research and discussion about communications centers.   Information and Technology Convergence Center The two-day session will take place at UMW’s  Information and Technology Convergence Center. The NACC conference, now in its 14th year, focuses on management and utilization of communication centers. The conference will feature more than 90 presenters from 25 different colleges and universities. More than 100 are expected to attend, including faculty, staff, and student consultants from communication centers. With the theme “Come Together at the Center,” keynote speaker Lauren Bell will discuss how communication centers can interact with other academic services and give tips on how to improve communication centers for students. Bell is a political science professor and dean of academic affairs at Randolph-Macon College. The conference will be a win-win for UMW and other colleges, according to Anand Rao, associate professor of communication, director of UMW’s Speaking Intensive Program and the Speaking Center, and planner for the 2015 conference. “Hosting the conference is a wonderful opportunity for the UMW Speaking Center consultants to engage and learn from colleagues from across the country,” said Rao. Registration information, directions and hotel reservations can be found on the conference website. For additional questions about the conference, contact Rao at arao@umw.edu.

Journalists to Discuss Middle East Affairs at UMW

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Journalists Jennifer Griffin of Fox News and Greg Myre of National Public Radio will speak at the University of Mary Washington on Thursday, April 9 about current developments and the state of affairs in the Middle East.

Journalists Jennifer Griffin of Fox News and Greg Myre of National Public Radio

Journalists Jennifer Griffin of Fox News and Greg Myre of National Public Radio

The presentation, What’s Coming Next in the Middle East, will be held at 7 p.m. in the Rappahannock Grand Ballroom at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center, 1119 Hanover St. The event is free and open to the public.

The married couple will focus on the effects of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, in addition to discussing Afghanistan, Libya, the Israeli election and how developments in the region could impact the future of the Middle East.

Griffin and Myre met in 1989 while covering a rally staged by Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress at a soccer stadium in Soweto, South Africa. They would later report on Mandela’s release from prison and cover the last years of the apartheid.

The two began to cover Afghanistan in the early ‘90s, and were some of the first people to interview members of the Taliban in Kabul. They had traveled to more than 50 countries and reported on a dozen wars before moving to Washington, D.C. in 2007.

Griffin is currently the national security correspondent for Fox based at the Pentagon. Just last month, Griffin was given the journalism award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society for her distinguished coverage of the military.

Myre is the international editor for NPR.org, covering global affairs and working closely with NPR’s 20 foreign correspondents around the world. Before joining NPR in 2008, he was a foreign correspondent with the New York Times and The Associated Press for 20 years.

Griffin and Myre will be selling and signing copies of their book, “This Burning Land.”

The lecture is sponsored by Ron Rosner, founder of the Rosner Automotive Group. For more information about the lecture, contact the College of Arts and Sciences at (540) 654-1052.

Melchers Museum Staff Receive Preservation Award

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Three members of the staff at the Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont have been honored by the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation for their work in preserving the Fannie Roots House.   Fannie Roots House Director David Berreth, Preservation Manager Beate Jensen and Building and Grounds Assistant David Ludeker received the foundation’s E. Boyd Graves Award for Preservation Excellence. The announcement was made at a recent foundation award ceremony. The historic Fannie Roots House, adjacent to the Gari Melchers museum, belonged to Fannie Roots, an African American civil rights activist and Stafford County citizen. The home was purchased by her family in 1912. The family, including Fannie as a teenager, did occasional work for the Melchers family. Fannie lived in the home until her death in 2004. The restoration project was started in 2009 by UMW students and members of the community and included stabilization and weather proofing. More extensive work including roof replacement and chimney restoration was completed in 2013 with grants from the Duff McDuff Green Jr. Fund of the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock Region, The Marietta M. and Samuel T. Morgan Jr. Foundation, the Dr. H. Stewart Jones Trust and the Fredericksburg Savings Charitable Foundation. The next phase of the restoration will focus on renovating the house’s interior to allow more in-depth historical interpretation for the public. For more information on the Fannie Roots house and restoration project, contact Beate Jensen at (540) 654-1839.