A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff
UMW President Troy Paino speaks on WFVA’s Town Talk
President Paino appeared on News Talk 1230 WFVA’s Town Talk to talk about the value of a liberal arts education, the benefits of a smaller student body and class sizes, and the challenges of AI. Listen to the episode.
College of Business Senior Lecturer Kimberly Kinsley
College of Business Senior Lecturer Kimberly Kinsley spoke to the With Good Reason public radio show for an episode titled “Corporate Greenwashing.” She discussed how Volkswagen cheated on emissions tests from 2009-2015 to convince customers to buy 11 million VW cars they thought burned clean diesel. Kinsley said “Dieselgate” was the largest ever case of corporate greenwashing. Listen to the episode.
The Charlottesville Carter Mountain Sunset Series is a chance to listen to great live music and connect with Mary Wash alum.
Alumni events aren’t just for alumni! Unless otherwise noted for a specific event, parents, friends, and faculty/staff are welcome to attend any events hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement.
August 7: Charlottesville Sunset Series at Carter Mountain Orchard is a favorite annual event. On Thursday, August 7 from 6-9 p.m., we’ll gather at the orchard to hear The Rock Shakerz playing favorites from Van Morrison, the Beatles and more. The Alumni Association provides vouchers for food and non-alcoholic drinks from a food truck on site. Entrance tickets to the orchard are $10 each (children under 12 free) and should be purchased in advance on the orchard’s website. Register on the alumni site so we’ll know to expect you, then reserve your entrance tickets at the Carter Mountain website.
August 12: UMW Alumni Night at the Flying Squirrels (Richmond) 6:00-9:00 p.m. More details coming soon.
October 25: Homecoming Day 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. More details coming soon.
Professor of Political Science 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 WVTF article titled “Some Democratic candidates may not receive as much donor support as others this election cycle.”
In the article, Farnsworth said “Donors have to figure out where their money can be best spent, and that means very viable candidates may not be as appealing to a donor as somebody else is. It’s a painful reality of politics that donors engage in triage, figuring out campaigns that are most effective users of donations versus those that may be good users but not at the top of the list.” Read the article from WVTF.
Paucity of details on immigration arrests highlights Youngkin’s pattern of misstatements
“I think there’s an increasing temptation, particularly for Republican officeholders, to make claims first and provide the evidence later … if ever,” Stephen Farnsworth, University of Mary Washington political science professor, told me. “In the era of Donald Trump, strict adherence to the facts can be an inconvenience.” See articles in Virginia Mercury and WV News.
Will the State Department’s loss of seasoned diplomats diminish America’s global sway?
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, echoes Williams’ perspective. “President Trump has long had his doubts about the federal bureaucracy, where there are rules and procedures that limit what Trump wants to do,” he told TRT World. See article in TRT Global.
Spanberger outraises Earle-Sears 2-to-1 in Virginia governor’s race
Political scientist Stephen Farnsworth of the University of Mary Washington said the new fundraising and polling numbers paint a clear picture of where each party is focusing its energy — and where the GOP may be shifting its bets. See articles in Virginia Mercury, Yahoo, and WTOP.
Endorsements Are the New Front in Partisan Local Politics
“We’ve come a long way from the tradition of nonpartisan local contests,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “As everything has gotten more partisan in American and Virginia politics, they’ve gotten more partisan in local elections.” See article in FXBG Advance.
Associate Professor of Religious Studies Jennifer Barry
Associate Professor of Religious Studies Jennifer Barry has signed a contract for her fourth book, titled Terrifying Women of the Ancient World.
Barry’s new work will be published with Basic Books and is a public-facing history that provides a re-narration of the Roman Empire through the stories of the formidable women who helped shape it.
Featured speakers and panelists at the Chamber’s AI in the Workplace workshop, including UMW’s Anand Rao
Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication and Digital Studies Anand Rao was a recently a panelist at the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Congress’s workshop titled “AI in the Workplace,” which explored both the promise and practical applications of this evolving technology. Key topics included skills workers should develop to stay relevant, how small businesses can get started with AI and how they can empower their workforce to use it. Read more.
The Richmond Jazz and Music Festival Returns to Maymont Park, August 8 – 10
The Virginia State Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) is pleased to announce that the Richmond Jazz and Music Festival (RJMF) and the Commonwealth of Virginia have partnered to extend a $10 per ticket discount to any state employee interested in attending the event this year on August 8–10 at Maymont Park, in Richmond, Virginia. This is considered one of the East Coast’s most anticipated cultural events and is powered by Dominion Energy as the festival’s Presenting Sponsor. The 2025 edition promises a weekend of unforgettable music, bold flavors, and a vibe you can only find in RVA. Longtime supporters including Altria, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Richmond Region Tourism, and more continue to help make this experience possible.
This year’s lineup features a powerful mix of icons, innovators, and rising stars across jazz, soul, and R&B. Artists scheduled to perform include: T.I., Jodeci, Muni Long, Masego, Ceelo Green, Aloe Blacc, Marsha Ambrosius, October London, Dru Hill, Raheen DeVaughn, Kirk Whalum & Mindi Abair, Norman Brown, Hot Like Mars, Charles Owens, Alexander Mack, and many more.
Please use the state employee promo code upon checking out: jazz4va
Gari Melchers Home and Studio Assistant Director/Curator Susan Martis
Gari Melchers Home and Studio Assistant Director/Curator Susan Martis recently managed the loan of a large number of Gari Melchers’ paintings for an exhibition at a Dutch museum. Martis attended the exhibit opening in the Netherlands, courtesy of the host museum. The exhibit is titled “Longing for Egmond: From inspiration to artists’ village.”
Gari Melchers settled in Egmond in the 19th century and his paintings, focusing on the village and its inhabitants, achieved worldwide success. His work, along with other renowned artists, is now on display at the Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar in the Netherlands until November 2, 2025. Read more.
College of Business Lecturer John Burrow
Before retiring this year, College of Business Senior Lecturer John Burrow left a lasting legacy — through his leadership, mentorship and genuine care for our community. His impact lives on in the lives of the students, colleagues and alumni he supported. Burrow appears this week on the PS: I Love U(MW) social media series. See the episode!
See all the PS: I Love U(MW) episodes on @marywash Instagram.
August’s Coffee Talk will be led by Lisa Henry, Vice President, Advocacy and Member Communications, at American Hospital Association, on the topic of “Empowering Your Voice.”
Join Lisa to discuss ways to engage in grassroots activities in your community, state, and nationally. Learn how to assess your personal goals, level of engagement, and identify causes. Discuss with other participants the pros and cons of engaging in grassroots, the benefits of networking, and engaging your contacts in causes important to you.
Share, learn and grow from other professionals in the Fredericksburg area. Register now!