The College of Education will host 40 to 45 students from the Teachers for Tomorrow program during a campus visit on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Get Tickets to No. 1 UMW Men’s Soccer Team’s Oct. 30 Game Against UVA, Through Oct. 20
The following message is from UMW Athletics:
UMW Students, Faculty and Staff,
UMW men’s soccer team has been ranked No. 1 for several weeks this season, and this month, we’ll visit Division I University of Virginia in Charlottesville for a 3 PM game on Wednesday, Oct. 30! UMW Athletics is pleased to purchase tickets for all UMW faculty, staff, and students interested in attending the game.
To reserve your ticket, please complete this form with the email to which we can send your electronic ticket. This offer will last until Oct. 20. Any interested parties will need to purchase tickets themselves after that date.
For questions, please contact Assistant Athletic Director for Communications Clint Often at coften@umw.edu
Farnsworth Makes Heaps of Headlines Ahead of Elections
Professor of Political Science and Center for Leadership and Media Studies Director Stephen Farnsworth
As the presidential election approaches in November and other political races pick up, Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth is making ripples of headlines in local, regional and national outlets. The most recent media mentions come from a debate between candidates Eugene Vindman (D) and Derrick Anderson (R) for a seat in Virginia’s Seventh Congressional District. Farnsworth moderated the debate, held Oct. 2 in the University of Mary Washington’s Dodd Auditorium, with Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Department Chair Rosalyn Cooperman serving as one of three questioners. The debate was presented by UMW’s Student Government Association.
The following articles capture coverage of the debate, as well as other recent media mentions for Farnsworth:
Crowd Unruly as Anderson, Vindman Clash in UMW Debate
UMW Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth moderated the debate, and he thanked the candidates at the end for not only participating in the event, but also for simply being willing to run for office. Farnsworth, who also serves as director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, was joined by fellow UMW Professor of Political Science Rosalyn Cooperman, who chairs the department; WFVA Radio News Director Ted Schubel; and Jake Womer, The Free Lance-Star’s managing editor, in asking questions of the candidates.
Fredericksburg Free Press
The Free Lance-Star
The Washington Post
VPM
FXBG Advance
WVTF
AP News
CSPAN
ABC 17 News
My Northwest
Fox 28 Spokane
UK News
Newsday
8 News Now
US News
Las Vegas Sun
The Seattle Times
The Sun Chronicle
Inside Nova
Trump rises in Virginia poll as election nears, still lags Harris
Concluded days before the vice presidential debate and released shortly after a University of Mary Washington poll with Trump trailing Harris by just one point, the latest VCU Commonwealth Poll showed Trump performing better than in its previous poll.
Inside Nova
The Center Square
Inside Nova
The Center Square
Tim Kaine and Hung Cao clash in lone Virginia Senate debate
A University of Mary Washington poll last month found Kaine with a smaller, six-point edge.
Spanberger and Earle-Sears tied in first 2025 gubernatorial poll
Stephen J. Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington and director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “The big challenge for these potential candidates is becoming better known across the Commonwealth.”
Richmond Free Press
Prince William Times
Fauquier Times
The Bull Elephant
STATE NEWS Spanberger and Earle-Sears Tied in First 2025 Gubernatorial Poll
“Virginia elections are often close, and the look ahead to next year suggests more of the same in the campaign for governor,” said Stephen J. Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington and director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “The big challenge for these potential candidates is becoming better known across the commonwealth.”
Royal Examiner
Augusta Free Press
Loudoun Times
The Northern Virginia Daily
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Real Radio
Royal Examiner
Augusta Free Press
Loudoun Times
The Northern Virginia Daily
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Real Radio
Virginia poll shows tied gubernatorial race, nearly tied presidential race
“The big challenge for these potential candidates is becoming better known across the commonwealth,” said Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the university and the center’s director.
The Center Square
The Center Square
Trump, Youngkin urge early voting during tele-rally
“Both campaigns are really talking about the election in apocalyptic terms, and this is really motivating voters,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “Early voting absolutely works for campaigns; you don’t have to worry about getting voters to the polls on Election Day. If the ballot is locked in at election time, it gets a lot easier, and election officials can focus on voters who haven’t made it to the polls,” Farnsworth said.
A poll on Spanberger v. Sears and Spanberger v. Miyares
“Virginia elections are often close, and the look ahead to next year suggests more of the same in the campaign for governor,” said Stephen J. Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington and director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “The big challenge for these potential candidates is becoming better known across the commonwealth.”
Gov nominee Mark Robinson
“Republicanism is really great for debate but it is not helpful for swing voters who decide an election in America, said Stephen Farnsworth. Read more.
Trump, Youngkin urge early voting during tele-rally
“Both campaigns are really talking about the election in apocalyptic terms, and this is really motivating voters,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington.
Virginia Mercury
Virginia Mercury
Americans Living Abroad Could Swing Key States
Dr. Stephen J. Farnsworth, a professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia, said the data shows how much “every vote counts.” “When presidential elections come down to several thousand votes in a handful of key swing states, every vote really does count,” he told Newsweek. “While Americans abroad are not a huge voting bloc, these narrow-margin elections of recent years mean that they could be a decisive voting group in a few closely contested states.” Read more.
UMW Center for Leadership and Media Studies Survey Zooms in on Presidential Election in Virginia
Vice President Kamala Harris (D) and former President Donald Trump (R) are locked in a tight presidential contest in Virginia, according to a new statewide survey from the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington.
Virginia kicks off early voting Friday with presidential stakes high: Here’s what to know
Vice President Kamala Harris has a bit of an advantage, using several election offices that were started up last year by the Biden-Harris ticket. Back then, a University of Mary Washington survey found that 40% of those asked wanted to see the Democrats in control of Virginia’s House of Delegates and Senate, while 37% favored Republican control. But a year since that survey so much has changed with the landscape of this election.
Republican dodges questions over abortion rights in key Virginia race
“Republicans around the country have been talking less about abortion, in part because Republicans have faced a significant voter backlash in the wake of the Supreme Court decision to reverse Roe v. Wade,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “It’s in the nature of politics not to get too far from your constituents if you can, and to avoid talking about issues that hurt your side.”
Virginia race for Spanberger’s open seat in Congress is heating up
“Because this is the closest congressional race in Virginia and one of the marquee national congressional races, neither side wants to leave anything unsaid,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. Read more.
America’s allies and enemies pick Harris as world weighs in on U.S. election
“America is by far the world’s most powerful nation, and so many nations want to shape the outcome of presidential elections to their liking. There’s nothing new about that, but recent elections have seen far more brazen and aggressive efforts by international leaders to try to influence the outcome,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia.
Washington Times
Washington Times
Invitation to Faculty and Staff Athletics Fans
The following email is from UMW’s NCAA Faculty Representative:
Are you interested in meeting more staff and faculty across campus? Do you enjoy watching athletic events? Consider joining the new Faculty and Staff Fans of Athletics group. Our goals are to support our student-athletes as they compete and to build even more community on campus. We have created a Facebook group for UMW Faculty and Staff to share announcements of home competitions each week, with a pick of one we might attend together
We believe there are more people here on campus like us who enjoy watching sports and also want to meet others from different departments on campus. This is a fun group and there is no pressure to come to specific games. Come when you feel like it and stay for as long (or short) as you would like. And don’t worry if you don’t know anything about sports. All are welcome! The first competition we are focusing on is the Men’s Soccer match this Saturday, September 28th at 1pm.
If you are interested, click on this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/umwfacultyandstaffathleticsfans/ and follow to be added to the group. This group is only open to UMW Faculty and Staff so to confirm that you work at UMW we will ask what department you work in and for your UMW email address. You may also be added to an Outlook group for emails, and you can find more info about upcoming events on Instagram accounts: umw_saac or umwathletics.
Please let us know if you have any questions. Get Dirty, Go Wash!
Sarah Lindberg
Director of First-Year Admission
Dave Kolar
Associate Professor of Psychological Science
NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative
Cooperman Comments on Possible Harris Cabinet in ‘Newsweek’
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Department Chair Rosalyn Cooperman
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, and Department Chair, Rosalyn Cooperman contributed to an article titled “What a Kamala Harris Cabinet Could Look Like” that ran in Newsweek. “As Cabinet positions are executive appointments that must be confirmed by the Senate, nominees will also have to be confirmable,” she said in the article. “The calculus of who is confirmable will change slightly depending on whether Democrats maintain party majority of the Senate or if Harris administration nominees will be considered by a Republican-majority Senate.” Read more.
EAGLEfunding: Supporting Student Passions
Did you know there are over 150 student-led clubs on campus? Embodying the spirit of UMW, these diverse groups ignite passion, cultivate leadership, and foster a strong sense of community.
Throughout the month of October, 42 of these clubs signed up to participate in EAGLEfunding to raise funds that make their projects and programs possible. From service and civic engagement to academics, arts, sports, identity groups, and hobbies – there is something for everyone at Mary Washington.
Will you help power students’ passions by making a gift to one or more of the clubs participating in EAGLEfunding this year? Visit fund.umw.edu/g/eaglefunding to see who’s participating this year.
The club with the highest number of unique donors will receive $1,000 from an anonymous alumna! The club with the second-highest unique donor count will receive $500, and the third-highest will receive $250.
McDonald Offers Solution on How to Get Gen Z to the Polls
Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jared McDonald
“Young people need something else. They need to feel like they’re expressing their opinion about something that matters,” shared Jared McDonald, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington. “Specifically, you know, ‘If you want my vote, you have to show me that you can kind of identify with me.’ That’s a huge driver.’” Read more.
Datapalooza 2024 Power Points
Hello everyone!
Again, thanks to you for making Datapalooza 2024 such a success. My apologies to all about the SNAFU on the food service. I think in the end almost everyone got something to eat, but we have identified the problem and will make a correction for next year!
If you missed the event, we have updated the webpage dedicated to the 2024 data at https://in.umw.edu/datapalooza/. You should log in with your UMW net id and password to see the Power Points from the day archived there.
All of those who presented are happy to answer questions about Datapalooza if you ask them.
As always, let me know if you have questions or need data.
Debra Schleef
Associate Provost for Institutional Analysis and Effectiveness
Professor of Sociology
Moon to Present at ‘Exploring Civil Rights’ Forum in Alexandria
Professor of History and American Studies Krystyn Moon
Professor of History and American Studies Krystyn Moon will deliver the keynote address, “Housing Activism in Mid-Twentieth Century Alexandria,” a critical examination of local housing activism efforts that shaped the city’s landscape, during the Alexandria Forum on Oct. 18. This day-long symposium focuses on the interpretation of civil rights history and its relevance today. Taking place at the Virginia Theological Seminary’s Lettie Pate Whitehead Room (3737 Seminary Road in Historic Alexandria), this year’s event will explore how to better engage audiences in truth-telling and racial reconciliation. Read more.
Al-Tikriti Offers Lecture on Imperial Legacies and Ethnic Cleansing
Professor of Middle Eastern History Nabil Al-Tikriti
On 23 September 2024, Professor of Middle East History Dr. Nabil Al-Tikriti provided a lecture entitled “Imperial Legacies, Ethnic Cleansing, and Today’s Balkans and Caucasus,” to the Global Learning Center, affiliated with Wichita State University, and taking place on their campus.
The lecture description:
“What drives sectarian politics from the Balkans to the Caucasus? What has caused such widespread ongoing ethnic and religious disputes, debates, and conflicts? In this talk, Prof. Nabil Al-Tikriti will analyze how yesterday’s imperial dissolutions led to today’s sectarian conflict.”
In the course of this lecture, Prof. Al-Tikriti summarized theses about national homogeneity in the 19th-21st centuries by Eric Weitz and Yuri Slezkine, and the construction of the modern international law regime following European Great Power interventions in the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century by Davide Rodogno, before analyzing the role that ethnic mapping has played in international diplomacy geared towards encouraging, implementing, and consolidating ethnic cleansing on multiple fronts — all for the elusive goal of nation-state homogeneity.
Prof. Al-Tikriti thanks UMW Visitors Virginia “Ginny” Gentles, Tim Pohanka, and Terris E. Todd for their particularly staunch support of UMW faculty research, creativity, and educational pursuits. This was an invited lecture.