Dear UMW Community,

With final exams, end-of-year projects, research papers, and most grading behind us, it’s time to reflect on our many accomplishments over the past year.

We recently celebrated this year’s Eagle Awards, recognizing primarily students and student organizations who have provided leadership and contributed outstanding service through involvement in activities and organizations. Congratulations to you all!  In addition, we’ve shared news of departmental honors, national honor societies, and individual awards, including our second Goldwater Scholar, the top honors student in the Virginias, and a Newman Civic Fellow. We’ve also learned of Fulbright awards given to our students, alumni, and faculty, and look forward to celebrating your achievements and sharing your adventures around the world.

At the last faculty meeting of the year, we celebrated our faculty, honoring colleagues who have served this University for decades, bringing their expertise to our classrooms and our community and defining our approach to the liberal arts and sciences.  We also reaffirmed our ASPIRE community values during a weeklong celebration.  I encourage you to carry these values of accountability, scholarship, personal and institutional integrity, inclusive excellence, respect and civility, and engagement in both your personal and professional life whether on campus or beyond.

Congratulations to our graduating seniors – the Class of 2023!  There is much to be proud of, including your perseverance and dedication needed to earn your degree despite many challenges and obstacles along the way.  You did it!  I look forward to celebrating your great achievements with your family and friends at UMW’s 112^th Commencement on Saturday, May 6^th.

And, to all of the grounds crew, Facilities Services crew, Events team, faculty, staff, students and many, many volunteers – thank you for your hard work, countless hours and sheer resolve in preparing for commencement.  Whether you assisted with setting up chairs, laying mulch, preparing parking spaces, finalizing the program, providing regalia, coordinating logistics, or anything in between – thank you for ensuring our campus is beautiful and welcoming.

Continuing students, I wish you great success in your summer endeavors which may include classes, study abroad trips, internships, jobs, etc.  I also encourage you to immerse yourself in special interests, hobbies, outdoor activities, service projects, and more – those positive, rewarding experiences that encourage personal growth and satisfaction, as well as professional exploration.

On campus, we’ll welcome another season of the Summer Science Institute, now in its 24^th year, and showcase the second Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Summer Institute. I extend a heartfelt thank you to all of you who work throughout the summer on important projects and programs.  Your leadership, energy, and dedication are invaluable to providing strong and impactful summer courses, programs like the Student Transition Program, the Summer Enrichment Program, and Orientation and New Student Programs, beloved events such as Reunion Weekend planned for June 1 thru June 4, and services including Admissions Office campus tours, varied sports camps, etc.

Thanks to each of you, our faculty, staff, and students, who have worked so hard to make this a successful year, and to those who continue to work to provide robust summer enrichment opportunities.  Have a great summer!

Sincerely,

Troy Paino