August 17, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Kahn Featured in Article by City of Basketball Love

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men's basketball head coach Marcus Kahn in suit and tie

Men’s Basketball Head Coach Marcus Kahn

Men’s Basketball Head Coach Marcus Kahn was featured in an article titled “Marcus Kahn credits his six-year stay at Cabrini for capturing a national championship,” by City of Basketball Love, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused around the coverage of high school and college basketball in and around Philadelphia.

The piece describes how about an hour after he climbed down from the pinnacle of NCAA Division III men’s basketball, holding loft the championship netting as national champions for the University of Mary Washington, Eagles’ coach Marcus Kahn did the perfunctory chore of checking his exploding cell phone. It brought him back to his old days, when he coached at now-defunct Cabrini University for six years. Read the article from City of Basketball Love.

Richmond Ivy Soccer Game, June 23

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Richmond Ivy soccer player with the ballRichmond-area alumni, families, and friends… you’re invited to an evening with the Richmond Ivy Soccer Club!

Join us at City Stadium on Tuesday, June 23 from 7 – 9 p.m. We will cheer on the Ivy, a pre-professional women’s soccer team affiliated with the Richmond Kickers. This year, the Ivy roster includes Naomi Knight and Maci Landel, two members of the UMW Women’s Soccer team, so we can support the home team and UMW players at the same time. And your first drink is on us!

We will have a ledge box reserved in addition to General Admission seating. Come by the ledge box to check in and get your drink ticket. From there, you are welcome to hang out in the box, but you also may move to the seating area.

Note: Each registrant may also register up to three guests, for four tickets total. If you need more than that, please email Phillip Duggins to inquire about availability.

We hope you will join us to cheer on the Ivy. Wear your Mary Washington gear!

Orientation Reminders, through June 29

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Students sit in chairs on Ball Circle

During the month of June, UMW will welcome incoming students and their families to campus for Orientation.

During the month of June, UMW will welcome incoming students and their families to campus for Orientation. For more information and schedules, visit the New Student Programs website.

Orientation is a vital experience designed to help students and their families feel welcomed, involved and connected to the University. Your support in this mission is greatly appreciated, and you are invited to volunteer to welcome our newest students to campus. It’s a great month to sport your UMW gear and nametag, and “ask me anything” buttons are available for volunteers.

As a reminder, parking lots will be reserved for Orientation as follows:

  • June 10, 15, 17, 23, & 25: George Washington, Double Drive, Jefferson Square, and the Randolph/Mason lots.
  • June 11, 16, 18, 24, & 26: George Washington, Double Drive, Jefferson Square, Randolph/Mason, Thornton and Pizza Hut lots. While guest vehicles will remain in George Washington until the conclusion of Orientation, spaces that remain open on these dates after 10 a.m. may be used by UMW faculty and staff.
  • June 12 & 29: George Washington lot. While guest vehicles will remain in George Washington until the conclusion of Orientation, spaces that remain open after 10 a.m. may be used by UMW faculty and staff.

Parking for faculty and staff will remain available in all other designated and unreserved faculty and staff lots.

 As a reminder:

  • Accessible parking spaces are available in all open lots to any vehicles with DMV-issued accessible placards or license plates.
  • The UMW Police Department provides escorts when needed and may be reached at ext. 1025. Please visit the Safety Escort webpage for more information.

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

Farnsworth Featured in Column by Fredericksburg Free Press

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Photo of Professor Emeritus of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth

Professor Emeritus of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth

Professor Emeritus of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth was featured by the Fredericksburg Free Press in a column titled, “Thank you to the professor who has been taking my calls for almost 30 years.”

Columnist Jonathan Hunley begins the article by writing, “No more faculty meetings, and no more papers to grade. But we’ll still get to hear his thoughts on politics on TV and radio, and read his comments on this website. That’s my two-sentence upbeat conclusion about the retirement of Stephen J. Farnsworth from the University of Mary Washington after three decades in higher education.” Read the column in the Fredericksburg Free Press. 

Other media mentions for Farnsworth include:

  • Early voting begins this week for congressional primaries (Richmond Times-Dispatch; Roanoke Times; The Virginian-Pilot)
    “It’s good news for incumbents that the lines went back to where they were because it puts challengers off balance,” said Steve Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg.
  • Spanberger defends wave of vetoes as frustrated Democrats push back (Virginia Mercury)
    “Virginia Democrats are continuing to struggle with a question of identity,” Steven Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, said. “How conservative or how moderate do you have to be to win a statewide election is a question that has bedeviled Virginia lawmakers since the days of (former Governor) Chuck Robb.”
  • Political scientists: Va. budget impasse really about power, direction of Democratic Party (World News; Richmond Times-Dispatch; Roanoke Times)
    Resolving budget issues is normally relatively straightforward, said Stephen Farnsworth, a University of Mary Washington political scientist. “You could just split the difference and then resume the fight in Year 2 or Year 3,” he said. “How is there not a compromise here?”
  • Democratic governors chafe as calls grow louder to reject data centers (E&E News by Politico)
    Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, noted the project pipeline is expanding. The pressure to be “less pro-data center, particularly for a Democratic politician, is only going to grow,” he said.

Pardon the Dirt and Dust: Summer Facilities Reminders

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An area of campus steps that are under construction

Work on several projects across campus will take place this summer. Please pardon the dirt and dust!

Facilities Operations continues work on several projects across campus this summer, including major construction, renovation, signage, and campus improvement initiatives.

New Theatre Project
With demolition of Marshall and Russell Halls nearly complete, the site at the corner of William St. and Sunken Road is ready for construction of the new theatre.

George Washington Hall Roof and Chiller Replacements
The roof on GW Hall will be replaced later this summer following orientation sessions, July 1 through August 19. Offices in the building may be open during this time, but events will be limited in Dodd Auditorium.  If upper floor closures are needed during specific dates, those will be shared with the building as needed.

Accessibility Improvement Project
New ramps are in progress for Ball Hall and Madison Hall and the interior renovations for Ball Hall will be completed this summer to bring the building back online for residents in the fall. Accessibility improvements include the addition of an elevator (to be completed in 2027) and room updates to the first floor to make several suites accessible. The Fairfax Lot is open temporarily for move-out and Commencement and will continue to be fenced and offline through the end of the project, as it’s used for equipment and materials for the renovations in Ball Hall. Bushnell Hall will be offline in 2026-27 for accessibility improvements.

UMW Apartments
Building meters will be installed this summer for the gas lines servicing the UMW Apartments. This project includes boring underground from the parking lot to each building. The parking lot at the UMW Apartments may be periodically closed during the summer project.

Campus Walk Upgrades
Small improvements and repairs to brickwork along Campus Walk have been made throughout the year, and recently added new benches were added as part of ongoing campus improvements. The new benches maintain a classic look while offering significantly greater durability and far less ongoing maintenance than the teak benches they are replacing.

Parking Lot Repaving and Painting Striping
Repaving and repainting striping will take place later this summer in several parking lots, including the William St. parking lot, UMW Apartments, Combs Loop, Fairfax Lot, Monroe Lot, Woodard Lot and Sunken Road Lot near the Alvey Deck. Look for parking announcements as each area is temporarily closed.

Double Drive and College Avenue Projects
Roadway improvements will begin later this summer, including repainting pedestrians walkways and improving signage and reminders for both pedestrians and drivers about the intersection with College Avenue. Additional parking signage for College Avenue will be installed in partnership with the City of Fredericksburg. Look for updates from Parking Management as the new school year begins.

Wayfinding Signage Updates
New signs and additional updates will continue throughout the summer, with August 3-7 reserved for any corrections to previous work or new signs. If you have any questions about signage, please email Associate Director of Design Services Liz Kuvinka at ekuvinka@umw.edu and include info about the building or current signage content.

Please pardon the dirt and dust this summer as the Facilities Operations team prepares campus for the new school year. For any questions, contact AVP for Facilities Operations and Capital Outlay Brian Gorham at bgorham@umw.edu. To learn more or for additional information, visit the Facilities Operations website.

Rotter, Di Lauro & Mellinger Join WFVA’s Town Talk to Highlight ‘World on a Plate’ Course

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Marcel Rotter, Brooke Di Lauro, and Keith Mellinger sit together at a table to record the episode at WFVA

Marcel Rotter, Brooke Di Lauro, and Keith Mellinger preview a UMW course, “World on a Plate: A Journey Through Global Cuisines”

Associate Professor of German Marcel Rotter, Professor of French Brooke Di Lauro, and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Keith Mellinger got together to talk with NewsTalk 1230 WFVA’s Town Talk. The trio previewed “World on a Plate: A Journey Through Global Cuisines,” a free five-week virtual course hosted by UMW beginning the week of June 22.

Held via Zoom and open to the community, the series will explore the history, culture, traditions and stories behind cuisines from around the world. Listen to the episode. Registration information is available through the UMW’s alumni program at alumni.umw.edu.

Orientation Sessions Begin June 10; Volunteers Welcome

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This volunteer opportunity gives employees a chance to welcome new students and introduce the celebrated UMW culture of hospitality and care.

Welcome new students to UMW at Orientation this summer! Beginning, June 10 through June 26, future Eagles will be on campus for First-Year and Transfer  Orientation sessions and volunteers are still needed. Whether you’ve volunteered in the past or not, we welcome your help! The volunteer role involves greeting and offering directions to students and their as they arrive and check in and your involvement will help support the New Student Programs (NSP) team.

First-Year Dates (2-day, overnight experience):

  • June 10-11
  • June 15-16
  • June 17-18
  • June 23-24
  • June 25-26 

If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the volunteer sign-up form link: Orientation 2026 Volunteers Sign up Sheet

Thank you for considering this opportunity to support our new students. These efforts help ensure a welcoming and successful orientation experience for incoming students and their families. For questions or more information, please contact Lillian at llester@umw.edu.

Al-Tikriti Presented at Maritime History Conference and was Featured by Gulan Media

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Professor of Middle East History Nabil Al-Tikriti

Professor of Middle East History Nabil Al-Tikriti

Professor of Middle East History Nabil Al-Tikriti presented a paper last month entitled “The John Elphinstone Papers and the 1770 Battle of Çeşme” to the 7th International Conference of the Mediterranean Maritime History Network, in Zadar, Croatia. This conference hosted approximately 30 papers covering topics as wide-ranging as 19th century smuggling, maritime conflict, archival documents in Croatia, and many others. In the course of this conference, Al-Tikriti discovered the existence of a surprising number of Ottoman documents held regionally, discussed Fulbright possibilities with colleagues in attendance, and explored publication potential of this project originally driven by UMW student research. Al-Tikriti was grateful to the conference organizers for this outstanding scholarly exchange.

Professor Al-Tikriti stands in a classroom in front of of a presentation slide

Professor Al-Tikriti Presents on the Elphinstone Papers

The paper abstract was as follows:

“In July 1770, the Russian Baltic Sea fleet defeated an Ottoman fleet in the Aegean Sea between the coast of Çeşme and the island of Chios. The Russian maritime intervention was supported by Greek fighters who might be classified as proto-nationalist leaders, and was partially commanded by an English mercenary named John Elphinstone. The Ottoman side, meanwhile, was commanded by an eccentric Georgian admiral named Cezayırlı Hasan Paşa who won some fame for his love of domesticated lions.

This battle took place as part of the 1768-1774 Russo-Ottoman war, a decisive Russian victory which transferred parts of the Northern Caucasus, Crimea, and Southern Ukraine from Ottoman to Romanov control. The war ended with the 1774 Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca, which scholars have long considered a turning point in Ottoman diplomatic history, largely because the two signatory empires traded protector status, with the Russians claiming that status over Ottoman Orthodox Christians and the Ottomans claiming the same status over Russia’s Muslim populations.

In my presentation, I intend to examine the role that Captain John Elphinstone played in these events by summarizing and analyzing his memoirs and related documents. His papers provide an eyewitness perspective of the diplomatic, military, and political intrigues surrounding the war in general, and the Battle of Çeşme in particular. More broadly, I intend to explore some of the larger legacies of this war on Russian-Ottoman relations, the progressive expansion of Russian sovereignty southwards in the 18th-19th centuries, the emergence of an independent Greece, and the contemporary relevance of these events to the international relations of Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region. This presentation is part of my broader research agenda to assemble a scholarly analysis of his memoirs and what they tell us about his role in the 1770 Russian expedition.”

In addition, Al-Tikriti was interviewed last month by Gulan Media on regional affairs. In this wide-ranging interview, Al-Tikriti discussed the historical basis of regional sectarian conflict, Middle Eastern developments related to the current US-Israel-Iran conflict, longer term legacies in Iraqi politics of the 2003 Anglo-American invasion, and potential future effects of the current conflict with Iran on the U.S. and global economies. Lean more in the full interview from Gulan Media.

 

Men’s Tennis Finishes Season Ranked 14th in Nation; Four Eagles Gain Doubles All-America

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Tennis players hold a trophyThe University of Mary Washington men’s tennis team finished the season ranked 14th in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, announced Wednesday evening.
Junior Asher Willenborg finished the year ranked 26th nationally in singles, while WIllenborg and junior Trevor Rein finished the year ranked seventh in the nation.

Willenborg ranked fifth in the Atlantic South in singles, with Willenborg and Rein placing second in doubles, with the team ranking fifth.

With their final placement in the ranking as well as their advancement to the NCAA Tournament semifinal, WIllenborg and Rein gain All-America doubles honors. In addition, freshmen Ryan Battaglia and Ryan Gipner also gained All-America accolades for advancing to the second round of the Fall ITA Cup tournament. 2025-26 marks the first time in program history that the Eagles have seen two doubles teams gain All-America honors in the same season. Learn more from Eagles Athletics.

Dunn and Russell to Present VTOP Webinar on Career Readiness

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Assistant Professor of Management Alexandra Dunn

Associate Professor of Management Alexandra Dunn

Center for Teaching Director and Associate Professor of Education Victoria Russell

Center for Teaching Director and Associate Professor of Education Victoria Russell

Associate Professor of Management Alexandra Dunn and Center for Teaching Director and Associate Professor of Education Victoria Russell will serve as presenters for a Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (VTOP) Virtual Lunch & Learn on June 10.

Their session, “From Syllabus to Skillset: Connecting Coursework to Career Readiness Across Disciplines,” will explore strategies for helping students connect course content to career readiness, identify transferable skills, and communicate the value of their academic experiences. The webinar will feature practical examples of how faculty can integrate career readiness concepts across disciplines.