December 13, 2025

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Athletics Alumni Reception with President Paino, Oct. 23

by

Athletics alumni, a Homecoming reception with President Paino is coming October 23.

A Homecoming reception for athletics alumni with President Paino is coming October 23 in Seacobeck Hall.

Athletics alumni, a Homecoming reception with President Paino is coming October 23. As part of Homecoming week, Mary Washington athletics alumni are cordially invited to a special reception featuring an exclusive update from UMW President Troy Paino on the current state of Division III athletics.

The event will be held in Seacobeck Hall on Thursday, October 23 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. and includes an evening of networking, nostalgia and forward-looking conversation about the future of collegiate sports.

Dr. Paino brings unique expertise to this discussion as a former member of the NCAA Division III President’s Council, the highest governing body in NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletics. In this role, Dr. Paino established and oversaw Division III policies, led divisional strategic planning, sponsored key legislation, and advocated to the NCAA Board of Governors on behalf of all DIII institutions.

This event will be an exceptional opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni athletes while gaining insider insights into the evolving landscape of Division III athletics. Register here.

Mellinger, Kelly and Tabak Discuss What’s New at UMW on WFVA Town Talk

by

Three academic deans — Keith Mellinger (College of Arts and Sciences), Pete Kelly (College of Education), and Filiz Tabak (College of Business)

Academic Deans Keith Mellinger (College of Arts and Sciences), Pete Kelly (College of Education), and Filiz Tabak (College of Business) at WFVA

Three academic deans — Keith Mellinger (College of Arts and Sciences), Pete Kelly (College of Education), and Filiz Tabak (College of Business) — appeared on News Talk 1230 WFVA’s Town Talk to discuss new majors, academic programs, and strategic initiatives taking shape across campus.

The conversation also highlights standout faculty, growing community and industry partnerships, and how each college is preparing students for a rapidly changing world. Together, the deans offer insight into the evolving academic landscape at UMW and the priorities driving innovation within their schools. Listen to the episode.

 

Paino Named to 50 Most Influential People List by Northern Virginia Magazine

by

President Troy Paino

President Troy D. Paino

President Troy D. Paino was listed as one of Northern Virginia’s 50 Most Influential People of 2025 by Northern Virginia Magazine. The list includes leaders in business and development, education, government, health care, philanthropy, and more that have made an impact in the last year on where Northern Virginians live and work, where they go for entertainment, and how they spend their time.

The editorial team evaluated criteria including achievements, cultural significance, peer recommendations and community involvement. Paino was named among other impactful leaders, including U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin, George Mason University President Gregory Washington, Marymount President Irma Becerra, Philanthropists Dwight and Martha Shar, and even Washington Commanders Quarterback Jayden Daniels.

President Paino’s nearly decade-long tenure was noted, along with UMW’s increase in retention rates. The feature also noted UMW’s top 20 national ranking for internships and making an impact in The Princeton Review and its top 10 national ranking of public liberal arts and sciences colleges in U.S. News and World Report. Read the full article.

Kuykendall Pursues Gilbert & Sullivan From a Musicological Angle

by

Music Professor and Chair Brooks Kuykendall

Music Professor and Chair Brooks Kuykendall

Music Professor Brooks Kuykendall, currently in the second year of a Waple Professorship, has seen some of the fruits of his research emerging in the last few weeks: his article on fandom in the 1920s and 30s in the Gilbert & Sullivan Society (a preliminary version of which was presented for UMW’s Social Research Colloquium) has appeared in Transformative Works and Cultures; and, together with Benedict Taylor of the University of Edinburgh, he curated the “Gilbert and Sullivan” module for the Victorian Literature unit of Oxford Bibliographies.

His larger, ongoing Waple project involves a new assessment of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas in generic terms, not operetta or proto-musical, but more rooted in continental operatic traditions. He will heads to London and Bristol in November for further research.

Front page of the “Gilbert & Sullivan” Oxford Bibliography

Farnsworth Comments on Virginia Governor’s Race for The Washington Post

by

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

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

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth was quoted in a Washington Post article titled “Virginia governor’s race hits high gear as referendum on Trump.”

“The dynamics of the campaign are so different for each candidate that it makes sense they’d pursue very different themes,” said Farnsworth in the article. Read more in The Washington Post.

Other media mentions for Farnsworth include:

UMW hosts Oct. 2 debate between Cole, Steinway (The Free Lance-Star)
The University of Mary Washington will host a political debate between the two candidates for the 65th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2. As he’s done in years past, moderator Stephen Farnsworth will do his utmost to maintain a civil and cordial atmosphere. He’s a professor of political science and serves as director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. Read more in The Free Lance-Star.

Ahead of November elections, Democrats stress-test affordability message (National Journal)
“The deeper into the weeds you get in an energy conversation, the more you’re going to lose voters,” University of Mary Washington political scientist Stephen Farnsworth said. “The key issue is affordability right now. Long-term energy plans are not likely to be a pivotal question to voters.” Read more in the National Journal.

ELECTION 2025: Balance of power in Va. House could be decided in Prince William (Prince William Times)
This year, polls suggest Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for governor, has the political winds in her sails, powered by discontent over President Donald Trump’s federal job cuts and other economic challenges, said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington and director of its Center for Leadership and Media Studies. Read more in the Prince William Times.

Dem. James Walkinshaw wins US House special election in Virginia, Associated Press projects (WUSA 9)
“This outcome demonstrates that, at least for the 11th congressional district of Virginia, all politics are national,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Read more in WUSA 9.

Bellwether Virginia governor race enters post-Labor Day stretch (MSN; Washington Examiner)
Part of the problem Earle-Sears is facing is “the challenge of running as a Republican in a state that has been significantly impacted by President Trump’s federal cutbacks,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. Read more in MSN; Washington Examiner.

Voters choose new Virginia congressman Tuesday in special election (WTOP; Network Today)
“There’s an old saying that all politics is local, but I really think that what you’re considering in the 11th district of Virginia is all politics is national,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. Read more in WTOP; Network Today.

Special election on Tuesday to determine who replaces Rep. Gerry Connolly’s seat (WUSA 9)
“Special elections are known for a low turnout,” said Dr. Stephen Farnsworth of the University of Mary Washington. “One thing you can look for in this is to what extent does northern Virginia’s anger over Trump’s policies generate higher turnout.” Read more in WUSA 9.

Virginia nursing homes challenge Youngkin veto in court (Richmond Free Press)
Political analyst Stephen Farnsworth predicted at the time of the veto back-and-forth in the spring that the dispute “could end up in the courts like just about everything else these days.” Read more in the Richmond Free Press.

Nursing homes, health care associations sue Youngkin over vetoed nursing home bill (Virginia Mercury)
Political analyst Stephen Farnsworth predicted at the time of the veto back-and-forth this spring that the dispute “could end up in the courts like just about everything else these days.” Read more in Virginia Mercury.

Majid Shares Credit Expertise With WalletHub

by

Associate Professor of Marketing Kashef Majid

Associate Professor of Marketing Kashef Majid

Associate Professor of Business Kashef Majid was featured by WalletHub in a feature titled “Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.”

“When comparing a no-annual-fee card like the Capital One SavorOne with a fee-based option like the Capital One Savor, I always look at it through a cost–benefit lens,” said Professor Majid. Read more.

 

Larus Speaks at Congressional Retreat

by

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Senior Fellow at Pacific Forum Elizabeth Freund Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Senior Fellow at Pacific Forum Elizabeth Freund Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Senior Fellow at Pacific Forum Elizabeth Freund Larus was an invited speaker at the 2025 Asia Retreat for Senior Congressional Staff in Charlottesville, VA August 6-8, 2025.

Professor Larus offered her insight on the Chinese government’s decision making process, as well as on current economic and social issues affecting China’s foreign policy, to chiefs of staff of a dozen members of congress and senators. The program was organized and hosted by the Congressional Study Group on Japan, a program of the Former Members of Congress (FMC), and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA.

Other media mentions for Larus include:

China gathers allies to shape global security vision (Deutsche Welle)
“Xi will highlight unity with Russia, North Korea, and possibly Iran to try to convey a sense that there is a united front able to counter US global influence,” Elizabeth Freund Larus, an adjunct senior fellow at the Pacific Council, told DW. Read more in Deutsche Welle.

 

 

 

UMW Organizational Updates

by

With approval from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), organizational updates within UMW colleges include:

  • A School of Science and a School of the Arts within the College of Arts and Sciences have been established.
  • Within the College of Arts and Sciences, the departments of Anthropology, Art History, Classics, and Philosophy and Religion have merged into a newly named Department of Cultural and Philosophical Inquiry.
  • Computer Science, Economics, and Mathematics departments have moved to the College of Business. That College now houses four departments: Accounting, Finance and Economics; Computer Science; Management and Marketing; and Mathematics.
  • Athletics, Health and Physical Education, and Nursing departments have moved to the College of Education. That College now includes three departments: Athletics, Health, and Physical Education; Education; and Nursing. It is expected to be a space for future program growth in human development. For example, faculty worked this summer to develop a proposed master’s program in Counseling, and a Master of Science in Nursing has been submitted to SCHEV for review.

Looking ahead, organizational efforts and conversations are expected to continue, including efforts to organize the Humanities and Social Sciences, the creation of a Center for Humanities, and to consider names for colleges and departments. To learn more, see the full organizational chart.