March 29, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Larus Offers Insight on a China+1 Business Strategy

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Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs, claimed in a WION India documentary that Vietnam, the Philippines and India are in a strong position to benefit from a China+1 diversification strategy, and that India’s future as an alternative to China lies in being a hub for next generation technologies. This and more throughout the program.

Larus also spoke with CNBC for a segment titled “Taiwan polls: The pendulum swings back and forth as it does in other democracies, consultancy says.” Larus discusses the Nov. 27 Taiwan local elections. Watch the segment.

#GivingTuesday Donors #MakeItPossible!

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Giving Tuesday logo461 members of the Mary Washington community helped #MakeItPossible for current UMW students to continue to succeed on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29. The support totaled more than $171,000 for students, faculty and programs. Gifts to the University go to work immediately, making the Mary Washington experience possible for thousands of Eagles. Private support is essential to Mary Washington and allows us to provide students with a top-notch liberal arts and sciences education.

It’s not too late to make an impact on the future of UMW students. Give now.

From Holland to Falmouth, Donated Melchers Painting Comes to Belmont

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The Crimson Rambler

The Crimson Rambler

Christmas came early to Gari Melchers Home and Studio this year, in the form of an anonymous donation of a significant painting. Gari Melchers painted The Crimson Rambler at his residence in Holland sometime around 1910 to 1915.

After Melchers sold the painting in 1919, it was owned by several individuals before its acquisition by the anonymous donor. In the coming weeks, the painting will go on exhibit with other examples of Gari Melchers’ work, helping better define and interpret the artist’s own stylistic journey.

The Crimson Rambler is a vivid example of the Impressionist style the artist adopted in the latter stage of his career. The vibrant floral arbor, which gives the work its title, frames a background view that includes a small statue. To Belmont visitors during the Melchers era, or to museumgoers today, the cherubic boy—known as a putto in classical artistic vernacular—might seem familiar. The original figure, carved in wood, was displayed out of doors at the home of Gari and Corinne Melchers in Egmond aan der Hoef, Holland, and later on the lawn of Belmont after the couple purchased the estate in 1916. Generous support from the Garden Club of Virginia allowed a bronze copy of the statue to be outside while the wooden original resides in Belmont’s sunroom. Read a related blog post.

 

Unwind With Free Campus Rec Classes, Dec. 5 to 9

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Join CREC during finals with free fitness classes aimed to destress during the last week of the semester!

Monday, Dec. 5
4 to 4:45 p.m., Unwinding Yoga with Bill, Studio 5
6 to 6:45 p.m., Strength with April, Studio 4

Tuesday, Dec. 6
5 to 5:45 p.m., Stretch with April, Studio 5
6 to 6:45 p.m., Party Songs Power Cycle with Mariana, Cycle Studio

Wednesday, Dec. 7
5 to 5:45 p.m., Barre with April, Studio 5

Thursday, Dec. 8
5 to 5:45 p.m., Power Flow Yoga with Melody, Studio 4
6 to 6:45 p.m., Meditative Yoga with Sofia, Studio 4
6 to 6:45 p.m., Cycle with Allison, Cycle Studio

Friday, Dec. 9
5 to 6 p.m., Fitness Happy Hour With Kevin, Studio 4

Dec. 1 Bonus Pay for Eligible Employees

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As communicated in the 2022 UMW Salary Increase FAQs on July 14, 2022, all eligible full-time employees (classified, A/P and teaching faculty) will receive a one-time bonus payment of $1,000 on Dec. 1, 2022.  Eligible part-time classified employees will receive a pro-rated bonus.  Employees hired as of Aug. 10, 2022, and who remain employed through Dec. 1, 2022, will be eligible.  The bonus payment will appear in the Dec. 1 paycheck.

See below for information regarding options to defer the bonus to your deferred compensation plan, and bonuses for employees on leave.

Q: Can all or part of the Dec. 1, 2022, one-time bonus be deferred into my Deferred Compensation Plan?
A: Yes. The bonus can be deferred.  As such, part or all of the bonus may be deferred, subject to Defined Contribution Plan guidelines and annual limitations.

Q: What is the process for contributing the bonus to the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan?
A: Employees currently enrolled and new  participants may contribute part or all their bonus to the 457 Plan by completing a one-time deferral form and submitting it to Office of Human Resources or Payroll on or before Wednesday, November 9, 2022.

Q: What is the process of contributing the bonus to a 403(b) Pre-tax Annuity Plan?
A: Employees currently enrolled with a tax deferred annuity provider may contribute all or part of their bonus by completing the 403(b) Salary Reduction Agreement (SRA) form on or before Noon on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 to the Office of Human Resources or Payroll.

Participants are responsible for ensuring any additional contribution does not cause their total 2022 403(b) contributions to exceed IRS limits.

Q: What happens to employees on leave?

NOTE: These rules are based on policies that apply to classified employees.
a) Otherwise-qualified employees who are on short-term disability or other paid leave will receive the bonus on their December 1, 2022 pay date.
b) Employees on long-term disability-working will also receive the bonus on December 1, 2022. The adjustments do not apply to individuals who are on long-term disability-not working.
c) Employees on leave without pay are not eligible for the bonus until they return to work or a paid leave status.

Join UMW’s Largest Gratitude Meditation, Dec. 1

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Come join Campus Rec on Thursday, Dec. 1, from 6 to 7 p.m. in Chandler Ballroom for UMW’s Largest Gratitude Meditation event to close out the semester and the year!
Gratitude meditation is simply the practice of reflecting on the things in our lives we’re grateful for. It’s about experiencing that feeling of appreciation, whether for a loving family member or friend, a beautiful sunny day, or the pleasure of a good cup of tea. Join us for some guided meditation and light snacks. No registration required.
If you have any questions, please write us at campusrec@umw.edu  and follow us on Insatgram.
Your friends in Wellness,
The UMW Campus Recreation Team

Business Services eUpdate – Late Fall 2022

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Business Services

Bookstore

Faculty/Staff Appreciation Sale

Employees receive 20% off regular priced merchandise at the UMW Bookstore from December 5-9, in store only. Not valid on textbooks, regalia, or convenience items.

UMW Mug Giveaway

What do you love most about Mary Washington? Tell us your favorite thing about being an Eagle for your chance to win a UMW mug! Entries can only be completed in-store by writing your answer on one of the paper stars, putting it in an ornament (provided by store), and handing it in to a Bookseller.

You must include your UMW email address for your entry to be valid. One entry per person. The winner will be announced during Finals week, and you must be able to claim your prize in person.

Let’s see how many stars we can hang around the Bookstore!!!

Current Promotions

The University Bookstore has several new and upcoming promotions, both in-store and online. Some of these include:

  • Now through December 3, BOGO free on select apparel brands
  • Now through December 26, BOGO 50% off paperback favorites
  • Now through December 31, receive 25% off glassware, 25% off clearance, 25% off select audio, BOGO 50% Skullcandy headphones, and various sale on select Beats products
  • 11/11-11/20 Early Black Friday regular priced general reading: buy 2 get 3rd free
  • 11/20-11/28 40% off Nanobuds
  • 11/24-12/5 25% off Hydroflask (both regular and clearance priced)
  • 11/25-11/28: 20% off sitewide (web only)

Keep an eye out on the website and visit the store for more promos!
Cutter & Buck Quarter Zip 

Winter Break Hours

The Bookstore will have the following hours during Winter Break:

  • December 12-16: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • December 17: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • December 19-22: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • December 23 – January 2: closed
  • January 3-6: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • January 7 & 8: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

UMW Dining

Late Fall 2022 Semester Events & Updates

Faculty & Staff Thanksgiving Lunch on Thursday, November 17

Thanksgiving Cornucopia with various squashes

Lunch will be served 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Chandler Ballroom, CRUC. Cost for faculty & staff: $8.50. Cost for other guests: $13. Tickets are available for purchase now at the cashier stations on the 4th floor of the CRUC using credit card or EagleOne. Tickets purchased on the day at the Ballroom require credit card, but those using EagleOne may pay at the 4th floor cashier stations. The Restaurants at the Top of the CRUC will be closed from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the 17th to set up for the Thanksgiving dinner that will be served to students and other guests from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Taking Applications for Stop Hunger Scholarships

Stop Hunger

 

The Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation sponsors Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger scholarships for students K-grad school (up to age 25) for those who have made meaningful contributions to help stop hunger.  The deadline to apply is December 7, 2022.  For more information, please visit Stop Hunger Scholarships.

Did you miss the October 20 Harvest Festival & Farmers’ Market in Ball Circle?

Become a UMWFoodie to be notified about special events and free food, as well as any changes in dining operational hours due to weather or other emergency situations. Just text the keyword UMWFOODIES to 82257 to opt in. Rose Benedict is the only one who sends you messages. You won’t get junk messages and your phone number will not be shared with other groups or companies.

Chef v. Chef “Chopped” Style Cooking Competition and Free Food!

Tuesday, December 6, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Top of the CRUC. Come watch the competition and enjoy the plant-based culinary creations without charge!
Chef V. Cehf competition details

Thanksgiving Break Schedule

  • All retail dining locations will close at 4 p.m. on November 22 and reopen with their normal schedules on Monday, November 28.
  •  The Restaurants at the Top of the CRUC will close at 8 p.m. on November 22 and reopen for dinner at 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 27.

Winter Break Closing Schedule

  • All Retail Dining Shoppes will close at 4 pm on Friday, December 9.
  • The Restaurants at the Top of the CRUC will close at 7 pm on Friday, December 9.

For details on any dining programs, contact Rose Benedict at rbenedic@umw.edu or call 540-654-2169.

EagleOne

Farmer Vending Machines

With the construction in the James Farmer basement, the Pepsi and CRH snack vending machines have been relocated to the first floor, room 106.

Parking Management

New Employee

Please welcome UMW alumna Ariana Dodge as the new Community Services Officer. She can be reached at adodge@umw.edu.

Lot Reservation Calendar

For a current calendar view of parking lot reservations please visit the Parking Lot Reservations Calendar webpage.

Post Office

Postage Increases

USPS announced temporary 2022 Holiday Season price increases. The price of stamps will also increase permanently effective January 22, 2023. Take advantage of current forever stamp pricing by contacting the UMW Post Office now at 540-654-1049. Please allow three weeks lead time for large departmental orders.

The UMW Post Office has your holiday shipping needs covered! USPS services are in high demand, so visit soon!

Belmont Celebrates Home for the Holidays Through Dec. 30

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Gari Melchers Home and Studio presents Home for the Holidays through December 30. Enjoy the house decorated for the holidays in the spirit and style of American painter Gari Melchers and his talented artist-wife, Corinne. Dialogue-based guided holiday tours are offered daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s signature Christmas tree will feature dolls from around the world.