April 26, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Frankel’s Environmental Research Catches Media Attention

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Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences Tyler Frankel

Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences Tyler Frankel

Research led by Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences Tyler Frankel was recently featured in an article titled “Cancer-causing metals leak into water near coal ash landfills,” which was featured in Earth News and Mirage News. Researchers from the University of Mary Washington have discovered alarming levels of cancer-causing metals in both the sediments and fish of a Chesapeake Bay tributary situated near a coal ash landfill. This research, led by Dr. Tyler Frankel, highlights previously overlooked dangers posed by trace metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems. Read more in Earth News and in Mirage News.

Farnsworth Lectures on Political Humor at American University

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Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth

Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a lecture, “Late-Night Comedy Never Tires of Donald Trump” at American University in Washington. The talk was derived from portions of Dr. Farnsworth’s recently published co-authored book,  Late-Night in Washington: Political Humor and the American Presidency.

In addition, recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:

General Assembly opens with bipartisan skepticism of Youngkin’s proposed sales tax increase (Cardinal News)
“I think primarily this session will be about defining Democratic and Republican visions for the elections to come,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. “Youngkin’s proposal to adjust taxes did not get a warm welcome from the Democratic majority, and that early impasse may be a sign of continuing partisan disagreements in 2024.”
Iowa GOP caucuses: The key support level for Trump to hit, and how Haley becoming the nominee looks ‘possible — just not probable’ (MarketWatch; Morningstar)
“There’s an incentive to stay in the race because of the possibility that Trump may be convicted of a criminal offense,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia.
Trump’s Immunity Hearing Concludes (CTV News)
“If you look at the questions, this looks to be a bad, bad ruling for Donald Trump when it comes out,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Prof. Stephen J. Farnsworth as a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar in Spring 2024 (University of Warsaw)
We are delighted to announce that next semester ASC will be hosting Professor Stephen J. Farnsworth as a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar.
https://www.asc.uw.edu.pl/event/prof-stephen-j-farnsworth-as-a-fulbright-distinguished-scholar-in-spring-2024/
3-year anniversary of Jan 6. Capitol riot (CTV News)
“Well, what you see now is a very different perspective on the events of January 6th from many Republicans,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2841468
Biden Campaign Kicks Off for 2024 Election (CP24 Toronto)
“This is very much a keyway for Joe Biden to shape the conversation to his advantage. One, he was born in Pennsylvania. Two, Pennsylvania is a big swing state,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.cp24.com/video?clipId=2840989
Biden to Launch Campaign Today (CTV News Channel)
“The big challenge that Joe Biden faces right now as he is running for re-election is the possibility that a lot of people who were enthusiastic about him four years ago won’t be turning out in a 2024 election,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2841092
Multiple venues on the 2024 presidential campaign trail (Fox News)
“Without evidence, you simply cannot persuade those suburban voters who will sometimes vote Republican and sometimes vote Democratic, that the Republicans are doing the right thing in the House,” said University of Mary Washington political scientist Stephen Farnsworth. “As much as the far-right conservatives in the safe seats are going to want this impeachment inquiry to move forward, the reality is that doing so may very well cost the Republicans their majority.”
https://news.yahoo.com/multiple-venues-2024-presidential-campaign-025430277.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGMJGx5RUfPRWRI5rRMGG1bBCadQZnOmucf2sezUAzkbB7piH3GyyieUr6pBMaLW3yhukPMH12FqovX9giuXmchRXFF8BbnAP797S6K5TAZ8882QyaMOK07I_IOStkh4lrHVvamBVQWzhxQ1VoY3PyEodBEPHRYcGZdC8ogacMtF
Town Talk: UMW’s Dr. Stephen Farnsworth (News Talk WFVA)
Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington looks at the Presidential election and the Virginia General Assembly.
https://www.newstalk1230.net/episode/town-talk-u-m-w-s-dr-stephen-2/
More than three dozen House members not seeking re-election (Fox News)
“The reality in doing so is they may cost the Republicans their majority,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6343979331112
This Year Was A Warning To Republicans Running On Anti-Abortion Platforms In 2024 (The Huffington Post)
“Republicans might have had a more appealing environment for talking about abortion when Roe v. Wade was the law of the land because then the conversation was theoretical,” Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, told HuffPost ahead of the Virginia elections in November.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/a-warning-to-republicans-anti-abortion-platforms-2024_n_656f3fe6e4b0f3e5f44ae8b3
Supreme Court reject to fast-track Trump decision (CP24-TV Toronto)
“Well, of course, the Supreme Court did not decide on the merits of the claim either way. What they did say is that we are not going to expedite the process,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.cp24.com/video?clipId=2834364
Lots of talk, perhaps not much action in 2024 General Assembly (The Daily Progress; Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“I think the session will be about signaling for upcoming elections,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington.
https://dailyprogress.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/lots-of-talk-perhaps-not-much-action-in-2024-general-assembly/article_bc5e3134-4283-52ce-8da1-49d71f6180a6.html
https://richmond.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/lots-of-talk-perhaps-not-much-action-in-2024-general-assembly/article_f3a97682-9f7f-11ee-885e-cb6ad69dedb2.html
Fierce battle looms as parties vie for House majority in upcoming election (Your Alaska Link)
“The reality is that doing so may very well cost the Republicans their majority,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a professor at the University of Mary Washington.
https://www.youralaskalink.com/homepage/fierce-battle-looms-as-parties-vie-for-house-majority-in-upcoming-election/article_a4cbf206-9b32-5f11-b229-8df933e6612f.html
Republicans’ Turbulent Year Comes to an End (Newsweek)
Dr. Stephen J. Farnsworth, professor of political science and international affairs and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, told Newsweek the GOP “did not do itself any favors with all the infighting during 2023” but that policy issues will dominate the 2024 elections.
https://www.newsweek.com/republicans-turbulent-year-comes-end-1855877
From holiday to hustings, Virginia’s election cycle begins anew (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“It’s clear that Virginia needs a new slogan — Virginia is for election junkies,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Media and Leadership Studies at Mary Washington University in Fredericksburg.
https://richmond.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/from-holiday-to-hustings-virginias-election-cycle-begins-anew/article_f4ec16d0-9de5-11ee-92b4-975064211d73.html

Third Parties could decide 2024 elections in the United States (Brazil de Fato)
“It’s not to say that a third-way candidate can’t win an election in the US, but the Electoral College system makes it very unlikely that a third-party presidential candidate will be anything more than a small part of the debate,” said Professor Stephen Farnsworth, from the University of Mary Washington.
https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2023/12/20/terceira-via-pode-decidir-eleicoes-de-2024-nos-estados-unidos

How proposed budget would eliminate ‘most hated tax in Virginia’ (WTOP-FM)Getting rid of the long-standing car tax would likely be popular, but it’s an unoriginal idea, according to Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia.https://wtop.com/virginia/2023/12/how-proposed-budget-would-eliminate-most-hated-tax-in-virginia/

Youngkin budget proposal seeks income tax decrease, sales tax increase (VPM Media)“A governor’s year-three budget is the last major effort to shape the trajectory of Virginia,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “For a governor, the proposal is written with an eye to the future of the governor’s professional trajectory.”https://www.vpm.org/news/2023-12-20/virginia-legacy-budget-taxes-mental-health-glenn-youngkin

Race to Replace Rep. Jennifer Wexton in Northern Virginia Gets Crowded (The Washington Post, The New York Ledger)
“Virginia 10 is a more competitive district than a lot of them, and, as such, it represents an uncommon chance for both celebrations to challenge for a critical home seat in a critical state,” stated Stephen J. Farnsworth, a professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/12/16/wexton-10th-congressional-district-crowded/
https://thenyledger.com/news/race-to-replace-rep-jennifer-wexton-in-northern-virginia-gets-crowded/

‘The Briefing’ With Steve Scully (Sirius XM)
“I think that one of the things we need to recognize is that today’s young people are really not getting the news from the traditional sources,” said UMW Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth. “Now increasingly we find that young people are finding out about politics through political humor, through these late-night shows.”

Larus Comments on Japan’s Military Budget on ‘TVP World’

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Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus spoke to TVP World for a segment titled “Japan’s record military budget.” Elizabeth Larus indicated that Japan’s hefty defense budget increase indicates that Tokyo is seeking a new role as a security partner in the Indo-Pacific. Watch the segment.

Remembering JFMC Founding Director Forrest Parker

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UMW James Farmer Multicultural Center Founding Director Forrest Parker

UMW James Farmer Multicultural Center Founding Director Forrest Parker

Forrest Anthony Parker – founding director of the University of Mary Washington’s James Farmer Multicultural Center (JFMC) and co-creator of its annual Multicultural Fair – passed away on the first day of the new year, Jan. 1, 2024.

Parker will be remembered at Mary Washington, particularly by the many students he inspired, the positive impact he had on colleagues and the campus community, and the welcoming multicultural home he established on campus and in the Fredericksburg region. As chronicled in University of Mary Washington: A Centennial History, 1908-2008, he avowed to establish the fair from his first days on the job, and his work certainly lives on in the history books and through the individuals with whom he connected through the years.

Parker’s work at Mary Washington College began in 1989 as an associate dean for admissions, where he directed Project SOAR (Summer Orientation Adventure Retreat) and led the James Farmer Scholars Program. He became the founding director of the Multicultural Center at Mary Washington when it was established in 1990. As head of the center, he directed the SOAR and Summer Transition programs, as well as coordinated major celebrations, from MLK Jr. Day to annual heritage months. During his tenure, the center was officially named the James Farmer Multicultural Center in 1998. In 1991, he also imagined and implemented the first Multicultural Fair, now a much-anticipated tradition attended by thousands each spring. Read more.

Faculty Staff Appreciation Event: 10% at Bookstore

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Faculty and Staff Appreciation Event

Three Days Only

Tuesday, Dec. 12 to Thursday, Dec. 14

Receive an extra 10% off all school spirit apparel and gifts.

Please enjoy this extra discount as our sincere appreciation for all you do.

From the UMW Bookstore Team

Limited Time Only. Other exclusions may apply. Offer subject to change or end without notice. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotion or offer. See bookseller for details. Offer expires 12/14/23.

 

MyTime Winter Break Approval Deadlines

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MyTime Supervisors and Employees,

Winter Break is rapidly approaching (12/22/23-1/03/24). Due to payroll deadlines imposed by the State for the month December, Payroll has less time for processing timecards.

It is critical for timecards to be complete, accurate, error free and approved by the deadlines stated below. Payroll strongly encourages employees to approve their timecard in advance of the deadline, if they have finished working for the pay period, in order for their supervisors and Payroll to have sufficient time for review and processing.

Bi-weekly Timecard Approval Deadlines for Wage and Students

Pay Period 12/04/23 – 12/17/22, approval is due Monday, 12/18/23 no later than 10am

If the employee has completed working for the pay period and will not work during the holidays, we strongly encourage employees and supervisors to review and approve the timecards for the pay period(s) prior to leaving for break.  Reminder: when approving in advance, select “Current Pay Period”.

Semi-monthly MyTime Approval Deadlines for Classified and A/P faculty
Pay Period 12/10/23-12/24/23, approval is due by Friday, 12/22/23 no later than 10am.  If you are scheduled to work during winter break, deadline is 12/25/23 no later than 10am.

 

Supervisors

  • It is critical that you review timecard exceptions and resolve missing punches prior to the holiday closures. Reviewing timecards in advance, before the pay period ends, allows you time for resolving issues. Red blocks indicate a punch has been missed.

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  • Take care when editing punches as MyTime defaults to “a.m.” Please ensure the timecards reflect all time worked and have the employee’s approval.
  • Incomplete or unapproved timecards prevent the entire Payroll from being processed.  

Manager Delegation

Supervisors that are unavailable to approve timecards or time-off requests may Delegate their approval to another MyTime supervisor. Supervisors receiving the delegation must accept the request in MyTime before they will have access. Please use the MyTime Supervisor Manual to view the instructions.

Time-off Requests

Many employees and supervisors will use leave prior to and/or after break. Please ensure leave requests are processed and approved prior to timecard approval deadlines.

Please contact the Payroll Office at payroll@umw.edu with any questions.HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Cheryl L. Anderson
Assistant Controller – Systems
Finance Office

Schedule Your Visit With Santa at Brompton, Dec. 16

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Santa will be at Brompton on Saturday, December 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. President Troy Paino and Kelly invite you to visit Santa, share your wish list, and take photos. Reserve a time slot online (one time slot per family, please select “1” for quantity).

Each family will have 3-5 minutes with Santa, and time for a quick craft if there’s a wait. Be sure to bring your personal camera to capture family photos.

Brompton is located at 704 Sunken Road, with street parking available on Hanover Street or parking in the Tennis Center or Jepson Alumni Executive Center. Please email Executive Director of Events Susan Worrell, sworrell@umw.edu, with any questions.

UMW Website Enhancements and Ongoing Design Updates

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The UMW website has undergone significant transformations this semester, with the Digital Communications team in University Communications unveiling a refreshed design across more than 700 pages since the end of October. Prominent sites that have adopted the new look and feel include the James Farmer Multicultural Center, the Center for Career & Professional Development, the Office of the President, the Talley Center, and Police & Public Safety.

Alongside migrating individual office websites to the updated design, the Digital Communications team has worked closely with Admissions and Financial Aid to launch all-new landing pages aimed at attracting prospective students to visit campus and apply. Among the newly launched landing pages this semester are a Parents & Families resource page, a page detailing the affordability of a UMW education, an introduction to UMW’s Tuition Promise initiative, and overhauled Visit and Apply pages.

The phased rollout of the of the new website design will continue during Spring semester. Digital Communications will provide advance notice to each office or department before initiating updates to their respective websites.

Jesse Lavery
Director of Digital Strategy

Simpson Library Extended Open Hours Through End of Semester

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Simpson Library is pleased to announce extended open hours the week before and week of exams. Through the end of the semester (Friday 12/15), we’ll be open till midnight Sundays-Thursdays so that students have the space they need to study during the busiest time of the academic semester. Fridays and Saturdays we will close at the normal time (5pm and 6pm). Full hours are below:

12/3-12/15:
Sunday: 1pm-Midnight
Monday-Thursday: 8am-Midnight
Friday: 8am-5pm
Saturday: 12pm-6pm