April 8, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

UMW on the Road to Indianapolis

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Image of UMW eagle next to the text UMW Eagles

Get ready to cheer on the Eagles as they head to the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball National Championship!

We’re booking a bus, confirming hotels, securing tickets and ordering t-shirts as plans come together for a historic trip to Indianapolis for the championship game on Sunday, April 5. Details will be shared this Friday, March 27, for those interested in traveling, along with opportunities to join the excitement here on campus.

Watch for updates beginning Friday and throughout the week as the Mary Washington community rallies behind the team!

UMW Economics Students Attend Conference in New York

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A photo of three people standing next to a presentation on a screen. Photo includes Josiah Schlechty, Tressa Ballard and Dr. Dhar at the conference in front of Tressa's presentation.

UMW students Josiah Schlechty and Tressa Ballard pose with Economics Professor Dhar next to Ballard’s presentation at the IPE conference in New York.

University of Mary Washington economics students Josiah Schlechty and Tressa Ballard traveled to New York City in February to attend the 33rd annual Issues in Political Economy (IPE) Conference.

The conference is part of the broader Issues in Political Economy journal, an undergraduate research publication jointly edited by students from Mary Washington and Elon University. In addition to presenting at the conference, UMW students also contribute to the journal as associate editors and reviewers, playing an active role in the academic publication process.

The IPE Conference brings together undergraduate researchers from across the United States to present original economic research on a wide range of topics. The event provides students with the opportunity to engage with peers and faculty, receive constructive feedback, and refine their analytical and presentation skills in a professional academic setting.

Schlechty and Ballard presented research developed in ECON 361: Intro to Econometrics, taught by Economics Professor Amrita Dhar, who also served as the students’ faculty mentor throughout the conference, supporting them as they prepared and delivered their presentations.

Schlechty presented The Impact of School Rankings on Housing Distribution, while Ballard presented The Effectiveness of Prevention Methods on DUI Offenses. Their participation in the conference highlights the strength of the econometrics program and the opportunities available to students to conduct meaningful, data-driven research.

In addition to participating in the conference, Schlechty and Ballard spent time meeting with fellow undergraduate researchers, including an evening connecting with presenters from across the United States. This opportunity allowed them to network and build valuable academic and professional connections. They also explored New York City, visiting notable landmarks such as Wall Street and Times Square, and taking a ferry to Brooklyn. These experiences complemented their academic work, allowing them to engage with both the professional and cultural aspects of the city.

New Acquisition on View at Gari Melchers Home and Studio

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painting of an older white man wearing a suit with grey hair, profile view

Gari Melchers, Portrait of Dr. Lewis A. Stimson, 1909, oil on canvas , gift by museum transfer from Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, bequest of Henry L. Stimson for the Yale Medical School, Bel 2025.1.1

Gari Melchers was a highly regarded portrait painter, and in February another one returned to his estate. Last year, UMW alumna Mary Christ ‘02, Campus Art Collection Registrar at Yale, contacted GMHS about accepting this portrait into our collection. She knew that the two universities share the goal of making art accessible to the public and available for scholarly research.

Dr. Lewis A. Stimson (1844-1917) attended Yale University, and became a leader and educator in the medical field. This painting was given to Yale by his son, Henry L. Stimson, whose portrait was also painted by Melchers. The younger Stimson had an extensive public service career, including Secretary of State and Secretary of War.

Musical Performance: The Call of Kinnaru, March 27

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All are invited to a musical performance by a group that performs ancient Greek music: The Call of Kinnaru on Friday, March 27 at 4 p.m. in Seacobeck Hall (Weatherly Wing). 

The band consists of Prof. John Franklin (University of Vermont, lyre and voice), Abigail Bradford (University of Mary Washington, aulos and percussion), and Rachel Fickes (voice, lyre), as well as artwork by Glynnis Fawkes.

The event is co-sponsored by the UMW Departments of Music and Cultural and Philosophical Inquiry, as well as the UMW Classics Club and the UMW Beta Nu chapter of Eta Sigma Phi, an honors society for Classical Studies. If you have any questions, contact Angela Pitts at apitts2@umw.edu.

Share Feedback With University Dining, Through March 28

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Image of logo for University Dining with the text University of Mary Washington University DiningStudents, Faculty, and Staff:

University Dining wants to hear from you!

Please take a short online survey to let them know your thoughts on the food, customer service, special events, and all facets of campus dining.  Your responses will be reviewed by the dining team and will help guide future enhancements to the dining program.  Let your voice be heard!

Use this link to take the survey: https://tinyurl.com/58pt3ybj

The survey is open online March 16-28. 

The information you provide in the survey will be used for research purposes only and will be kept confidential. It will not be used to sell or market to you in any way, and you will not be contacted as a result of completing this survey.

At the end of the survey, you will have the option of entering a drawing to win a $500 VISA card and other prizes.

Please share your feedback with the dining team!

If you have questions, contact Dining Concierge Rose Benedict, rbenedic@umw.edu.

Walking Tour on German Americans in Fredericksburg, March 28

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Associate Professor of German Marcel Rotter is offering a walking tour on American immigrants in Fredericksburg on Saturday, March 28 at 10 a.m. It is the second part of last week’s talk by Rotter and his students on German influence in the Fredericksburg area. The tour mostly follows William Street, with a short detour to Sunken Road. It also includes Caroline Street and will end at the train station. It should take around 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Interested faculty and students should meet at 10 a.m. in front of Combs Hall (on the campus side) to join the walk.

Gari Melchers Home & Studio to Host Annual Beeping Egg Hunt, March 29

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Since 2011, Gari Melchers Home and Studio has organized an inclusive Beeping Egg Hunt, inspired by the Easter celebrations once hosted at Belmont by Corinne and Gari Melchers. This event welcomes blind, visually impaired, and other children with disabilities, along with their families.

Chirping eggs allow children to locate them using sound and touch, while sighted siblings are invited to wear blindfolds for a shared sensory experience. The event also features a miniature petting zoo, Touch-a-Tractor, snacks, resource tables, and sensory activities — ensuring a fun and accessible experience for everyone.

This year’s event will take place on Sunday, March 29 from 2 – 4 p.m. To attend, please RSVP to Education and Communications Manager Michelle Crow-Dolby.  Thanks to the Fredericksburg Host Lions Club and F.H. Furr Plumbing for their 2026 sponsorship.

Pi Mu Epsilon Hosts Used Book Sale to Support Math Students, March 30

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image of pi mu epsilon seal with purple letteringThe Mathematics honor society Pi Mu Epsilon will host a Used Book Sale on Monday, March 30 (rescheduled from Friday, March 27 due to rain) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in front of James Farmer Hall next to the James Farmer statue, weather permitting. The rain date is Monday, March 30.

The sale will feature a wide variety of items, including serious and light reading, puzzle books, math-related titles, CDs, DVDs, games, jigsaw puzzles, and T-shirts — all priced to sell.

Pi Mu Epsilon receives no University funding and uses proceeds to support outstanding students in mathematics. Faculty and staff are encouraged to stop by, browse and support this student organization.

Staff-Only Conversation With President Paino, April 1

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Logo for the University of Mary Washington with navy blue textYou are invited to a staff-only conversation with President Paino on Wednesday, April 1, from 4 to 5 p.m. in Seacobeck Hall – Weatherly Wing.

This is an opportunity to have honest and candid discussions about UMW’s present and future.

This meeting is an opportunity for President Paino to hear directly from staff and learn from their experiences, but also for him to share his thoughts as we work together to navigate a changing landscape.

The conversation will not be recorded or streamed. Hopefully as many employees and staff as possible can attend as President Paino is looking forward to connecting!