May 24, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Deck the Halls, Dec. 6

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Photo of Christmas floral centerpiece.Join celebrated floral consultant Jan Williams for an inspiring holiday decoration demonstration using local evergreens and flora, a highlight of Fredericksburg’s holiday celebrations. This event, sponsored by The James Monroe Museum, will be held at the Hurley Convergence Center, Digital Auditorium and is a ticketed event. Learn more and purchase tickets for this event. See more details on the event’s Facebook page.

After years of dazzling audiences and transforming holiday traditions, this will be the FINAL installment of Fredericksburg’s beloved Deck the Halls event with Ms. Williams.
In this heartfelt farewell presentation, she will once again share her signature creativity and charm, demonstrating how to craft exquisite holiday decorations using local evergreens and natural flora. With her inspiring ideas, she has helped countless homes shine brighter during the holidays, and this final show promises to be her most memorable yet.
This annual event has long been a treasured part of the season in Fredericksburg, and while we will miss the magic of these gatherings, we are sending Deck the Halls off in style. As always, lucky audience members will be chosen at random to take home one of Jan’s stunning handcrafted creations, living pieces of holiday cheer and perfect mementos from this final celebration.

Fredericksburg Christmas Parade, Dec. 6

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Picture of Fredericksburg Christmas parade.Our University’s hometown of Fredericksburg will play host to a favorite holiday tradition, the Christmas Parade, this weekend, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Guests can border the sidewalks of downtown Fredericksburg to enjoy watching over-75 groups who are participating. Parking restrictions and road closures begin at 2 p.m.

Women’s Leadership Colloquium Coffee Talk on Empowerment, Dec. 9

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Sometimes just being the last one standing is all the magic you need to succeed. But how do you keep going when self-doubt holds you back. Let’s talk about the forms that self-doubt takes and some of the ways you can overcome those little voices that tell you you can’t…and make room for the voices that know you can. Share, learn and grow from other professionals in the Fredericksburg area at December’s Coffee Talk, led by Joy Crump, Owner, Foode & 718 Venue.

Coffee Talk: Empowerment by Outlasting Your Self-Doubt
December 9
8 – 9 a.m.
718 Venue in Fredericksburg

Learn more, and register for the December Coffee Talk.

Photo of women talking with text that includes Women's Leadership Colloquium, Coffee Talk, Dec. 9, Topic: Empowerment by Outlasting Your Self-Doubt

 

Employee Holiday Gathering, Dec. 12

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Picture of holiday card with holiday gathering details that are also included in the body of this post. UMW Faculty and Staff,

President Troy Paino and Kelly Paino invite you and a guest to the annual Holiday Gathering, in celebration of UMW employees. Join us Friday, December 12, at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center from 5 to 7 p.m.

Please respond by December 9 via the online form if you will attend.

This year, we also invite you to bring a donation for the Gwen Hale Resource Center on campus, as we help restock some everyday essentials. Please bring a new toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc., and we’ll keep the smiles going long after the event.

In addition, your family is invited on Saturday, December 13, to share a holiday moment and kids’ wish lists with Santa at Brompton from 4-6 p.m. Each family will have 3-5 minutes with Santa. Be sure to bring your personal camera to capture family photos.

Sign up for a Santa Visit using this link by Thursday, December 11.

The Jepson Alumni Executive Center is located on Hanover Street. 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 at sworrell@umw.edu with any questions.

 

Santa Visits at Brompton, Dec. 13

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Photo of Santa Claus.

Register for a visit with Santa at Brompton!

Santa Claus has a few spots still available for a festive visit at Brompton on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Each family will have up to 5 minutes to share holiday wishes and snap photos, so be sure to bring your personal camera to capture the moment!

Advanced registration is required. Please sign up for a visit with Santa by Thursday, Dec. 11.

Learn more and register for a Santa Visit!

Wells Publishes Article on Liszt’s Rhythms and Premieres Piano Piece

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Photo of Music Professor Robert Wells

Music Professor Robert Wells

Associate Professor of Music and Associate Director of the Honors Program Robert Wells recently published an article in the open access journal College Music Symposium: Journal of the College Music Society.

The article, titled “Diabolical Dances and Rhythmic Poetry: Interpreting and Performing Franz Liszt’s Metric Conflicts,” investigates rhythmically/metrically complex writing in Franz Liszt’s piano music and develops a series of specialized performance strategies for such music.

This research stemmed from a 2023–24 Jepson Fellowship that allowed Wells to present Liszt-focused lecture-recitals and performances at UMW, Randolph-Macon College, Furman University and the College of William and Mary. Audio excerpts from the performances at UMW and Furman appear in the article. Read the full article in the College Music Symposium journal.

Screenshot of College Music Symposium article referenced in first paragraph

Excerpt from College Music Symposium article

Additionally, at the recent 2025 Society for Music Theory/American Musicological Society Joint Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, Wells was invited to premiere Nigerian composer Ayọ̀ Olúrántí’s solo piano work Eré Ayò: A Study in African Pianism (2025).

This performance was part of an African Pianism session featuring works by composers from across the continent of Africa. Eré Ayò was one of two pieces commissioned by the American Musicological Society for this year’s conference.

Wynn and UMW LaunchPad Program Featured by Inside Higher Ed

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Photo of Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and Director of the First-Year Experience April Wynn

Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and Director of the First-Year Experience April Wynn

Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and Director of the First-Year Experience April Wynn was quoted by Inside Higher Ed in an article titled “First-Year Program Teaches Students Executive Functioning Skills.” The article features the UMW program LaunchPad, which aims to help ease students’ transition into higher education, providing them with life-management skills and connect them with peers and supportive staff.

The article highlights UMW’s four-week program that helps incoming students hone their planning and social skills, with details from Wynn, including  “many students struggle with organization, time management and involvement, especially post-pandemic,” said April Wynn, director of the first-year experience. “LaunchPad provides structured support in these areas.” Read the full article from Inside Higher Ed.

Foss Participates in Book Event

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Picture of Professor of English Chris Foss

Professor of English Chris Foss

Professor of English Chris Foss participated in a Book Party event at a conference reception for the annual meeting of the North American Victorian Studies Association (NAVSA), held this year on Friday, Nov. 14 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The event celebrated the publication of books by NAVSA members in 2024/2025. Foss’s book, The Importance of Being Different: Disability in Oscar Wilde’s Fairy Tales, was also featured at the University of Virginia Press’s book exhibit table during the conference.

Cooperman Authors Article on Policy and Electoral Implications of Democratic Women Candidates

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Photo of Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Department of Political Science and International Affairs Rosalyn Cooperman

Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Department of Political Science and International Affairs Rosalyn Cooperman

Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Department of Political Science and International Affairs Rosalyn Cooperman authored an article titled “Policy and Electoral Implications of Democratic Women Candidates’ Wins in Virginia 2025 Elections” for the Center for American Women and Politics.

Cooperman’s piece highlights major gains by Democratic women in Virginia’s 2025 elections, where they captured most of the flipped House seats and helped secure a Democratic trifecta led by Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger and Lieutenant Governor-elect Ghazala Hashmi. These victories position Democratic women to drive substantial policy changes in the 2026 legislative session, including a likely constitutional amendment protecting reproductive rights, and may signal increased female candidacies heading into the 2026 midterms. Read the full article by Cooperman for the Center for American Women and Politics.

Rao Appears on WFVA Town Talk to Talk AI

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Photo of Professor of Communication and Chair of the Department of Communication and Digital Studies Anand Rao

Professor of Communication and Chair of the Department of Communication and Digital Studies Anand Rao

Professor of Communication and Director of the Center for AI and the Liberal Arts Anand Rao appeared on News Talk 1230 WFVA’s Town Talk last month to discuss why the Center was created and why this kind of work is so important right now.

The program digs into how UMW students are using AI, how the technology is already shaping everyday life in the Fredericksburg region, and Rao’s practical tips for anyone who wants to get started with AI. Listen to the full episode from WFVA.