Maya Mathur, associate professor of English and Associate Chair of the Department of English, Linguistics and Communication, presented the paper “Family Dynamics in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Omkara” at the conference “Shakespeare and Our Times,” which was held at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., on April 14-16. Her paper examined representations of gender in Omkara, an Indian adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello.
Larus Presents Paper on U.S. Naval Diplomacy at World Society Foundation (Zurich)
Elizabeth Freund Larus, professor of Political Science and International Affairs, presented her research paper, “Alliances and U.S. Sea Power in the Asia-Pacific,” at the annual meeting of the World Society Foundation (Zurich) at the University of Arizona in Tucson in April 2016.
Welcome New Employees
Please join us in extending a warm UMW welcome to our newest employees:
Nigel Haarstad – Online Learning and Learning Management System Specialist.
Michele Whiteside – Public Relations and Marketing Specialist.
Tanasha Whittaker – Trades Utility Worker.
Shawn Young – Art and Art History Office Manager.
Ronald Chapman – Desk Attendant.
Carla Sehbani – Bookstore Clerk.
Once again, welcome to the University of Mary Washington!
Staff Advisory News
Did you know? Anyone can come to the SAC meetings to hear what is discussed and listen to the guest speakers!
Retirement Income Planning Workshop April 20
MetLife will be conducting a Retirement Income Planning workshop on Wednesday, April 20, at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. in Lee Hall 412. You will learn how to turn assets into income and about retirement risks, retirement goals and the retirement planning process. You may register at www.metlifeplansmart.com/login.asp There is a prompt to enter your company name; please enter University of Mary Washington.
Bonds Publishes Article on Think Tanks and Climate Change
Assistant Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds recently published an article in the journal Sociology Compass on elite think tank approaches to climate change. While sociologists have paid a great deal of attention to think-tank driven climate denialism — or efforts to mislead the American public about the realities and costs associated with global warming — Bonds shows that most top think tanks acknowledge the scientific consensus on this issue. Bonds offers a typology of think tank responses to climate change, moving beyond denialism to include climate mitigation, adaptation and opportunism.
Share Inspiring Senior Stories
The Office of Media and Public Relations is sharing graduating senior story ideas with local and regional news media to promote the success of our graduates. The stories will also be considered for future features on the UMW website.
Harris Wins Verville Fellowship at National Air and Space Museum
Steven E. Harris, Associate Professor of History, was recently awarded an A. Verville Fellowship at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The 12-month fellowship will allow Harris to work full-time on his second book project, “Wings of the Motherland: Soviet and Russian Cultures of Aviation from Khrushchev to Putin” while in residence at the Museum. Harris will also use the fellowship to conduct research in archives in Moscow.
Admissions Hosts Admitted Students on April 16
The Admissions Office will host Destination UMW on Saturday, April 16, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. with the goal of yielding admitted students for the 2016-2017 academic year. We are expecting more than 450 students and their families, with a total guest count of approximately 1,100 people.
Students will attend a sample lecture with a professor and a student engagement activity with current student leaders. Two tracks will offer an opportunity to message differently to students who have already committed to attend UMW in the fall and those who are still deciding among their college options.
Nearly one half of the students registered have already paid an enrollment fee and will receive their First-Year Seminar (FSEM) and residence hall assignments during the event.
A sample agenda is posted here: http://www.umw.edu/admissions/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/01/Tentative-Agenda.pdf
Visitor parking has been reserved in the George Washington (GW) lot and along Double Drive with overflow parking in the Parking Deck. Primary event locations are Dodd Auditorium, Lee Hall, Monroe Hall, Woodard Hall, the University Center and campus/residence hall tours. Expect to see increased foot traffic on campus and curious newcomers at the Top of the University Center (fourth floor), especially between noon and 2 p.m.
While the Office of Admissions sponsors these events, the entire campus assumes the role of host. Our guests frequently comment on how “friendly, helpful, and engaging” our UMW community is! Guests shared the following about what they enjoyed the most during their recent visits to campus:
• “People were genuinely enthused by the school and the environment around.”
• “The campus and the people there were inviting and organized.”
• “The excitement that the leaders showed and also President Hurley.”
• “My tour guide was incredible and made me feel at home on the campus.”
Their impression and decision to attend UMW depends on how they feel while they are here, so thank you for going the extra mile on these important recruitment days!
One way to show your support is to tweet to @UMWAdmissions and/or post to Instagram and tag @UMWAdmissions. We would like to see #DestinationUMW trending throughout the day.
The Office of Admissions appreciates your involvement in and support of these signature programs that shape the Class of 2020.
Farnsworth Presents Research Paper on the Obama Presidency
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently delivered a research paper titled, “The Barack Obama Presidency and the Rise of the Diffident Presidential Style,” in Chicago at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association. The paper includes findings from Dr. Farnsworth’s latest co-authored book, “The Global President.”