Islamic History and Heritage Celebration Banquet with speaker Dr. Daoud Nassimi will be held Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m. in the Cedric Rucker University Center Chandler Ballroom.
Kemp and Team Receive Historic Fredericksburg Foundation Special Recognition Award
Simpson Library’s Head of Special Collections and Digital Scholarship Angie Kemp (middle in green) and team accepting HFFI award
Angie Kemp, Head of Special Collections and Digital Scholarship at Simpson Library, has been awarded the 2026 Special Recognition Award from the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. (HFFI). The award honors individuals, groups or organizations that demonstrate notable leadership and initiative in support of preservation education in the Fredericksburg area and beyond.
Kemp and her Special Collections team received this award for their efforts to digitize, index, transcribe, and make available online a large collection of 18th and 19th century property records, in the form of insurance policies from Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia, the oldest insurance company in the state. Mutual Assurance shared in the HFFI award.
These property records include names of homeowners, the location and size of each property, and the monetary value of each structure. Many of the policies have detailed structural drawings of homes and other buildings, indicating what they were made of and how many rooms they had. For genealogists, historic preservationists, and others who care about the history and evolution of towns and cities in Virginia, these records reveal a great deal of valuable information that was previously inaccessible for most.
Kemp’s innovative approach uses XML and other tools to batch-process index data that was previously compiled and published by UMW’s Center for Historic Preservation to create a searchable transcription of each policy with much of the custom, handwritten information automatically added. More information about the project and the complete list of students who have worked on the team are available in the project summary.
The award was presented at HFFI’s Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
Rose Featured in The Washington Post and MSN on Kennedy Center Renovation
Adjunct Instructor of Historic Preservation Michelle Arcari Rose
Adjunct Instructor of Historic Preservation Michelle Arcari Rose was featured by The Washington Post and MSN in an article titled “Trump shared renderings of the new Kennedy Center. It looks like the old one.” In the piece, Rose provides insight on the proposed design changes to the Kennedy Center.
She notes that the updated design maintains a similar overall feel, describing it as a “modern prairie-style upgrade,” while raising concerns about the process behind the renovation and whether officials are following preservation laws governing such changes. Read more in The Washington Post.
More media mentions for Rose include:
Biz Beat Roundup: Local organization names new executive director (Fredericksburg Free Press; The Free Lance-Star)
Fredericksburg-based Washington Heritage Museums (WHM) has selected its next leader. Rose was previously associate general counsel for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and she also serves as an adjunct professor for the Department of Historic Preservation at the University of Mary Washington. Learn more from The Free Lance-Star or Fredericksburg Free Press.
Washington Heritage Museums Names New Executive Director (FXBG Advance)
Rose previously worked for the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States, and currently works as an adjunct instructor at the University of Mary Washington where she teaches historic preservation law. Read more in the FXBG Advance.
Thaden and Orlando Join WFVA’s Town Talk to Preview Mary Wash Day
Associate Vice President for Alumni and Donor Engagement Mark Thaden and Executive Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando appear on WFVA’s Town Talk.
Associate Vice President for Alumni and Donor Engagement Mark Thaden and Executive Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando appeared on News Talk 1230 WFVA’s Town Talk recently to preview Mary Wash Day, a high-energy 24-hour giving event running from March 25 at noon to March 26 at noon.
The event highlights the power of participation, with challenges and matching gifts designed to multiply donations and unlock even more support for the University of Mary Washington. They also look ahead to Reunion Weekend (May 29–31) and the 100th anniversary of the beloved Devil-Goat Day celebration. Listen to the episode on WFVA.
Other media mentions for Thaden and Orlando include:
LISTEN: UMW prepares for 24-Hour giving event Wed & Thursday (Fredericksburg Free Press)
UMW’s Shelby Orlando and Mark Thaden say during the day, donors can support more than 80 areas across the university, including scholarships, academics, athletics, and student life. Last year, contributions totaled about $1.3 million, and organizers say they hope to surpass that figure this year. Learn more in the Fredericksburg Free Press.
Kahn Discusses Home-Court Advantage in The Free Lance-Star
Men’s Basketball Head Coach Marcus Kahn
Men’s Basketball Head Coach Marcus Kahn was featured by The Free Lance-Star in an article titled “UMW men’s basketball looks for second-ever Elite Eight appearance.” In the piece, Kahn reflects on the significance of hosting an NCAA Sweet 16 game for the first time in his coaching career.
He highlights the advantage of playing at home, noting the rare opportunity for the Eagles to compete in front of a Fredericksburg crowd at Ron Rosner Arena as they pursue a spot in the Elite Eight. Read more in The Free Lance-Star.
Other media mentions for Kahn include:
University of Mary Washington men’s basketball to compete for national title (WRIC)
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The University of Mary Washington Eagles men’s basketball team is set to compete in its first national championship in program history. Read more in WRIC.
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The University of Mary Washington Eagles men’s basketball team is set to compete in its first national championship in program history. Read more in WRIC.
BREAKING: UMW men’s basketball advances to DIII national title game (The Free Lance-Star)
The University of Mary Washington men’s basketball team will be competing for a Division III national title for the first time in school history after a 64-61 win over Trinity (CT) in the national semifinals on Saturday night. Read more in The Free Lance-Star.
Mary Washington finishes off defending champs (D3 Hoops)
FORT WAYNE – Mary Washington is still dancing. The Eagles defeated defending champion Trinity 64-61 in the second semifinal at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum and advance to play Emory in Indianapolis on April 5 for the NCAA Division III men’s basketball tournament championship. Read more from D3 Hoops.
SPORTS NEWS: And Then There Were Two (FXBG Advance)
Saturday’s national semifinal contest in Fort Wayne, Indiana, was a game of runs. At the end, the University of Mary Washington men’s basketball team had one more run than the defending national champion, Trinity (Connecticut). Read more in the FXBG Advance.
Emory clinches first Division III finals appearance, Mary Washington topples defending champs (The Journal Gazette)
Emory will meet Mary Washington, which upended defending champion Trinity, 64-61, on April 5 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis in the first national title game for both programs. Read more in The Journal Gazette.
UMW men’s basketball beats UChicago, advances to Final Four (The Free Lance-Star)
For the first time ever, the University of Mary Washington men’s basketball program will be playing in the Final Four. The Eagles took down UChicago in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III men’s basketball tournament, 81-73, on Thursday night in Fort Wayne, Indiana, clinching their first NCAA sectional title in the process. Read more in The Free Lance-Star.
‘Fast’ break: Hammad helps fuel UMW’s Elite Eight run while observing Ramadan (Fredericksburg Free Press)
With a little under 12 minutes remaining in the University of Mary Washington men’s basketball team’s Sweet 16 contest against Wisconsin-La Crosse, junior Hasan Hammad made his way to the bench. Read more in the Fredericksburg Free Press.
UMW men’s basketball looks to continue historic run in Elite Eight (The Free Lance-Star)
No team in the history of the University of Mary Washington men’s basketball program has ever won 27 games in a season … until this winter. Read more in The Free Lance-Star.
UMW men’s basketball reaches 2nd Elite Eight in school history (The Free Lance-Star; Fredericksburg Free Press; FXBG Advance)
What a scene it was inside of Ron Rosner Arena on Saturday night. Fredericksburg turned out to see their local college team, the University of Mary Washington, play in the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball tournament for the third time ever and first time at home in 12 years. Read more in the FXBG Advance.
Chicago on their mind: Perplexed by snub, Robinson propels Eagles to Elite 8 appearance (Fredericksburg Free Press)
Robinson scored 35 points, pulled down 11 rebounds and made some clutch shots in the contest’s final minutes to will the Eagles to a 73-68 victory over UWL in front of a packed Ron Rosner Arena. Read more in the Fredericksburg Free Press.
Mirror image: Eagles facing tall task to go from Sweet to Elite (Fredericksburg Free Press)
When Marcus Kahn watches the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse men’s basketball team, it’s almost as if he’s looking in a mirror. Read more in the Fredericksburg Free Press.
Hansen-Glucklich Awarded Fellowship at Mandel Center
Associate Professor Jennifer Hansen-Glucklich in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Associate Professor Jennifer Hansen-Glucklich in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures has been awarded a research fellowship at the Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. for the spring semester of 2027.
While in residence at the Center, she will be conducting research for her current book project, titled “Inscribed for Life: Memory, Personal Names, and Naming Rituals in Jewish Memorial Culture.”
Spencer Receives Preservation Education Award From Historic Fredericksburg Foundation
Professor of Historic Preservation Michael Spencer
Professor of Historic Preservation Michael Spencer was recognized by the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. with the 2026 Dr. Edward D. Alvey, Jr., Education Award, as reported by Potomac Local News. The award honors excellence in preservation education and leadership in the Fredericksburg region.
Spencer was recognized for his professional expertise and ongoing support of regional organizations, including Washington Heritage Museums, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, the George Washington Foundation, and HFFI, contributing to the preservation of some of the area’s most significant historic structures. Read more in Potomac Local News.
Other media mentions for Spencer include:
Biz Beat Roundup (Fredericksburg Free Press)
University of Mary Washington (UMW) Professor Michael Spencer for his dedication to professional excellence in the field of Historic Preservation. Read more in the Fredericksburg Free Press.
Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc., Announces 2026 Preservation Awards (FXBG Advance)
The Edward D. Alvey Jr. Education Award went to Michael Spencer, professor of historic preservation at the University of Mary Washington, for excellence in the field. Read more in the FXBG Advance.
Barry Publishes New Article in the Journal of Church History
Associate Professor of Religious Studies Jennifer Barry
has published a new open-access article in Church History: Studies in Christianity and Culture (Cambridge University Press), now available online in FirstView and scheduled to appear in print later this month. The article, “Scandal and the Late Ancient Christian Historian,” develops research from her current book project, Scandalous Christian Histories.
The book, supported by a National Endowment for the Humanities summer fellowship and under advanced contract with the University of Edinburgh Press, examines how late ancient Christian historians used scandal, bodily disruption, and narrative spectacle to shape claims about authority, orthodoxy, and divine action. This publication marks an important milestone in the completion of the project.
Hinkle Featured in Fredericksburg Free Press on Creative Work and Teaching
Artisan Larry Hinkle’s workshop Wednesday March 4, 2026. Photo by Jeff Kearney. From the Fredericksburg Free Press.
Adjunct Instructor of Studio Art Larry Hinkle was featured by Fredericksburg Free Press in an article titled “From wood to rock(steady), Larry Hinkle is building a creative life.” In the piece, Hinkle discusses his work as an artist and educator, including his role at UMW as an adjunct instructor and studio technician.
He highlights his involvement in teaching studio art courses and collaborating with faculty on special topics, as well as his recent work creating sculptural stands for a bronze exhibition in the UMW Galleries. Read more in Fredericksburg Free Press.
Farnsworth Quoted on Virginia Redistricting in MSN
Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth
Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth was quoted by MSN in an article, titled “Democrats zero in on Virginia redistricting as early voting begins.”
In the piece, Farnsworth describes the ballot measure as “an opportunity for Virginia voters to offer yet another referendum on how they feel about President Trump,” noting its broader political implications in a state the former president has lost in all three of his elections. Read more on MSN.
Other media mentions for Farnsworth include:
Israel Launches New Attacks on Tehran (Bell Media)
“Well, I think it is important to recognize the longer this goes on the worse it is politically for the president and the United States,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Read more from Bell Media
“Well, I think it is important to recognize the longer this goes on the worse it is politically for the president and the United States,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Read more from Bell Media
Important Spring Elections are Flying Under the Radar. Let’s Change That NOW (Daily KOS)
The ballot measure is “an opportunity for Virginia voters to offer yet another referendum on how they feel about President Trump” in a state he lost in all three of his elections, said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia. Learn more in Daily KOS.
Virginia Senators split on vote for Trump’s NSA and cyber security head (WVTF)
Support for Trump nominees may dog some candidates this fall, but University of Mary Washington political science professor Stephen Farnsworth said Warner’s vote aligns with the incumbent’s long-running centrist-bonafides. The decision to vote for a Trump nominee may help persuade some centrist supporters to back Warner in November,” Farnsworth told Radio IQ. Learn more from WVTF.
Trump Compares Surprise Attack on Iran to Pearl Harbor (Bell Media)
“Well, I think it means that President Trump is going to be making decisions. I think one of the things that distinguishes the Trump presidency from other precedencies is that Trump really relies primarily on his own judgement,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Learn more from Bell Media.
True Blue (Richmond Magazine)
“I think so far the governor has been able to lean into her background in law enforcement to have a layer of credibility for her actions that isn’t always present with a governor,” says Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington. “The traditional Republican argument that Democrats are weak in this area simply doesn’t apply to someone with her career experience.” Read more in Richmond Magazine.
The 10 most important things that happened in Virginia’s 2026 legislative session – Mountain Media, LLC (The Enterprise)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, said that when all the leaders in the executive and legislative branches belong to the same party, “that’s when the fights get interesting.” Although Democrats now control the legislature and governor’s office, Farnsworth said, “there are still big decisions to be hammered out regarding the budget and the regulation of data centers, to name two things.” Read more in The Enterprise.
The 10 most important things that happened in Virginia’s 2026 legislative session (Virginia Mercury; Yahoo News)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, said that when all the leaders in the executive and legislative branches belong to the same party, “that’s when the fights get interesting.” Read more in Yahoo News.
General Assembly gavels out 2026 session without budget agreement (VPM News)
The legislation going to Spanberger has already gone through a number of filters, said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “When you have a big Democratic majority, you do not need to keep every member happy all the time,” he said, referring to the House’s 64-seat majority. “That Democratic majority in the House gives the speaker, and the governor, the means of keeping things away from the governor that the governor doesn’t want to see.” Read more in VPM News.
The 10 most important things that happened in Virginia’s 2026 legislative session (Henrico Citizen; Maryland Matters)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, said that when all the leaders in the executive and legislative branches belong to the same party, “that’s when the fights get interesting.” Although Democrats now control the legislature and governor’s office, Farnsworth said, “there are still big decisions to be hammered out regarding the budget and the regulation of data centers, to name two things.” Read more in Henrico Citizen.