A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff
Director of Graduate Admissions Christy Pack
Director of Graduate Admissions Christy Pack graduated from the 15th class of the Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Fredericksburg program on May 20. The ceremony was held at UMW’s Stafford campus. The graduates were included in a Business Notes article in The Free Lance-Star. Read more.
Professor of Geography Stephen Hanna
Professor of Geography Stephen P. Hanna was quoted in several high-profile media outlets about his research on Southern plantations. On May 17, 2022, after weeks of negative stories on Montpelier in the national press, the foundation that operates the Virginia plantation home of James Madison finally made good on its promise to share authority with descendants of people enslaved by the man known as “the father” of the U.S. Constitution. The article, “Modern-day struggle at James Madison’s plantation Montpelier to include the descendants’ voices of the enslaved,” was published by the following sources:
The Virginia Department of Human Resource Management has announced that starting June 1, 2022, Public Health Emergency Leave (PHEL) will no longer be available to employees of state agencies or institutions. This emergency leave type was activated by the Commonwealth in 2020 during the state of emergency, and is now being deactivated.
Beginning tomorrow, employees who test positive for COVID-19 may use their available sick leave, family/personal, annual, recognition, compensatory or overtime leave. PHEL will no longer be available for acquiring a COVID-19 vaccination or booster
Please continue to follow recommended practices:
· Wash hands frequently;
· Safely social distance,
· Do not report to the workplace if you are sick, have been exposed to a positive COVID-19 case, or if you’ve tested positive for COVID-19. Get tested if exposed or experiencing COVID-like symptoms – free at-home tests are available to order from: https://special.usps.com/testkits.
Dear UMW Family,
Over the past weeks our hearts have been flooded with grief as we process the senseless loss of life from gun violence targeted toward communities of color. We send our deepest condolences to all people and communities that have been impacted by these unthinkable nationwide incidents.
We unequivocally condemn these acts of violence and hatred as they are in stark contrast to our community values. We know the trauma that these events have caused, particularly for those from BIPOC communities.
We are also saddened when violence comes to educational settings, as they appear to with striking regularity. Teaching and learning cannot happen in environments where fear, anxiety, and uncertainty occur. As a university founded as a teachers college, for over a century Mary Washington has placed teachers in K-12 schools. We stand in solidarity with educators across the commonwealth and our nation.
As you cope in the days ahead, we hope you will find solace and comfort in time spent with those closest to you. For students on or off campus, the Talley Center and James Farmer Multicultural Center are here to serve you.
The Talley Center for Counseling Services, in Lee Hall Room 106, is open until 5 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also call (540) 654-1053 to make an appointment or for support. For more information please visit the Talley Center website here: https://students.umw.edu/counseling/
The James Farmer Multicultural Center (JFMC), in the University Center Room 319, is ready and able to provide social support. The JFMC is open until 5 p.m. today and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information about the JFMC please visit https://students.umw.edu/multicultural/
For employees, grief counseling can be arranged through the Employee Assistance Program. More information about the program can be found here: https://adminfinance.umw.edu/hr/employee-relations/employee-assistance-program/
For the entire campus community, please also know that Associate Provost for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Shavonne Shorter is here for you and can be emailed at sshorter@umw.edu.
Wishing you peace,
Troy D. Paino, President
Juliette Landphair, Vice President for Student AffairsJeffrey McClurken, Chief of Staff Paul Messplay, Vice President for Administration and Finance & CFOTimothy O’Donnell, Interim ProvostShavonne Shorter, Associate Provost for Equity and Inclusion & CDO Susan Worrell, Interim Vice President for Advancement
Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth
Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth commented on the state of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s first budget in The Washington Post. “The governor and the legislature have demonstrated how effectively they can generate gridlock on most issues so far, and now the challenge is how to demonstrate that you can govern,” Farnsworth said in the piece, “Virginia budget negotiators signal they are close to a deal.” Read more.
Dr. Farnsworth was also quoted in other media.
Join fellow faculty and staff members in celebrating longtime Dean of Students Cedric Rucker, who retires this month, at the “Cedric Rucker University Center Naming Celebration” on Sunday, June 5, at 11 a.m., on the front steps of the University Center at the Ball Circle entrance. Cedric Bernard Rucker has made immeasurable positive impacts on thousands of students, alumni, parents, faculty, staff and the local community during his 33-year career working at Mary Washington, serving 23 years as Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Student Life and 10 years as Associate Dean of Student Activities, as well as in numerous other roles. Read more.
The University of Mary Washington’s New Student Orientation welcomes all incoming first-year and transfer students and their families to campus. The Division of Student Affairs and the Orientation Staff are committed to making students and their families feel welcomed, involved and connected to the University. At Orientation, students meet other incoming and current students, register for academic courses and learn more about the UMW campus, policies and traditions.
First-Year Orientation Dates for 2022 are as follows:
Session 1: June 13-14
Session 2: June 16-17
Session 3: June 21-22
Session 4: June 23-24
Session 5: June 27-28
Protect yourself and your family! Find out more about our Legal Services Plan and Identity Theft Plans. Learn more.
UMW STAFF: It’s time to elect the next group of University Staff Council members. This year 12 UMW staff members have been nominated for seven three-year positions (six classified and one wage). You can review the nominees, including their statements about what they would like to accomplish during their term, on the USC website. This information is also available in the ballot. After reviewing, please take a moment to vote.* The 2022 election will close at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2022.
Thank you for your time, support and thoughtful consideration of nominees for the USC.
*Voting is limited to UMW Staff members.
Maureen Aylward
Associate Director of Advancement Services
Office of Advancement
University of Mary Washington
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson has been appointed a nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s New American Engagement Initiative in the Scowcroft Center. The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security works to develop sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges facing the United States and its allies and partners.
Dr. Davidson also recently spoke with Voice of America. In the episode, “FLASHPOINT UKRAINE: Kyiv reports military gains as Blinken wraps up trip,” Davidson says, “The first thing to note is that it looks like the process of bringing Finland and Sweden into NATO is moving forward. There was a bit of a glitch with Turkey but it looks like that’s going to be something they’ll be able to iron over.” Hear more. (Davidson’s interview begins at about 5:30 into the segment.)