Tip your hat to Museums Executive Director Scott Harris at an Open House celebration of his many years in museum leadership. Join UMW Museums staff on June 12, 2026 from 4 – 6 p.m. in Dodd Foyer in George Washington Hall.
Frankel Quoted in Chesapeake Bay Journal
Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences Tyler Frankel
Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences Tyler Frankel was quoted by the Chesapeake Bay Journal in an article titled “Virginia, Maryland craft stricter coal ash rules as EPA pulls back.” Frankel discussed contaminants leaching beyond intended areas. Learn more in the Chesapeake Bay Journal.
Di Lauro Presents French Cuisine on WFVA’s Town Talk/Cultural Quilt Series
Professor of French Brooke Di Lauro
Professor of French Brooke Di Lauro was featured recently on NewsTalk 1230 WFVA’s Town Talk discussing French cuisine. The program, focused on France, was part of the Fredericksburg Sister City Association’s Cultural Quilt Series. It also explored how French philosophical thought inspired America’s founding fathers. LISTEN to the Town Talk/Cultural Quilt Series on News Talk 1230.
Kahn Discusses DIII Championship, Roster Retention with NABC
Men’s Basketball Head Coach Marcus Kahn
Men’s Basketball Head Coach Marcus Kahn joined Andy Katz for a discussion about his championship experience and roster management at the DIII level. See the interview from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).
Bauschard Featured on NewsNation for AI Expertise
Adjunct Professor and AI Education Policy Consultant Stefan Bauschard
AI Education Policy Consultant and UMW Adjunct Professor Stefan Bauschard recently appeared as a featured guest on NewsNation to address the accelerating footprint of data centers across the United States and the complex challenges they present to local communities.
The segment, titled “Developing Story: Will America Embrace New Data Tech,” examined the rapid growth of data centers and their impact on local communities. During the interview, Bauschard addressed the challenges of balancing technological infrastructure needs with community concerns, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful planning, environmental oversight, corporate accountability and public engagement as AI-driven development continues across the country. Bauschard concluded by noting that because the country is only at the absolute beginning of the AI revolution, open, empathetic, and serious public debates regarding how this technology impacts people’s homes, lives, and local economies are urgently needed.
Adjunct Professor and AI Education Policy Consultant Stefan Bauschard appears on NewsNation.
LaRochelle, Chichester and Mackintosh Highlighted in Free Press Article Featuring UMW Graduate Del. Joshua Cole
Photo of Professor Jeremy LaRochelle
Professor of Spanish and BLS Director Ana Chichester
Associate Professor of History and American Studies Will Mackintosh
A trio of UMW faculty were highlighted in an article by The Fredericksburg Free Press titled, “More than a decade after flunking out, Del. Cole earns a degree of redemption.” In the article, Professor of Spanish Jeremy G. Larochelle, retiring Professor of Spanish and BLS Director Ana Chichester, and Professor of History and American Studies Will Mackintosh commented on Virginia Del. Joshua Cole and the Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) he completed this year at UMW, graduating on Saturday, May 9.
“The mission of my program is we want Mary Washington to be the last university that our students attend,” Chichester said “He’s a total ringer,” Mackintosh said about Cole with a laugh. “He just knew a lot, had a lot of contextual knowledge for understanding what we were talking about.” Read the article in the Fredericksburg Free Press.
Farnsworth Featured by The Guardian, ABC, MSN & More
Professor Emeritus of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth
Professor Emeritus of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth was featured by The Guardian, ABC News, Spectrum News and other outlets in features about late night programming. Farnsworth is a co-author of Late Night With Trump: Political Humor and the American Presidency and other books on politics. He was quoted by Spectrum News, saying, “One of the rules of life is not to mess with success, but this is exactly what CBS is doing with late night.” Learn more from Spectrum News.
In an article from The Guardian, titled “‘He had a unique ability to be human’: late-night TV says goodbye to Stephen Colbert,” Farnsworth said: “If late-night comedy wanted to build a foil, it would look just like Donald Trump. You’re talking about someone who is an extraordinarily target-rich environment for late-night humour: his bluster, his demeanor, his inconsistency, his aggressiveness – all of these things create a very rich environment for mockery.” Learn more from The Guardian.
Other recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:
The end of the golden era of late-night shows: between Trump’s hatred, network interests, and falling ratings (MSN)
“The format is far from dead. It remains so relevant in American politics that The New York Times publishes a daily column about late-night programming. But the programs that existed before the internet boom are not coming back because the huge audiences that Leno and Johnny Carson had no longer exist, mainly due to the various platforms we have today, where many more people can make themselves heard,” says Stephen Farnsworth, a professor at the University of Mary Washington and co-author of the book Late Night With Trump: Political Humor and the American Presidency. Learn more from MSN.
‘Both sides want a deal’: analyst on latest U.S.-Iran negotiations (CTV News)
“We don’t know. That’s the same story that we consistently have here because there isn’t an agreement until there is an agreement,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Learn more from CTV News.
A Star Is Born (Columbia Journalism Review)
Stephen Farnsworth, the director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, immediately recognized the DNA of Politico in NOTUS, which he described as “a vehicle for younger, scrappier reporters combined with more experienced talent that has gotten laid off or bought out from other news organizations.” Learn more from Columbia Journalism Review.
Curtains close on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (ABC Australia)
“There’s no doubt about it late night programming has been a touchstone of American politics and culture for years and decades going back into the 1960’s. People would often turn to these late-night programs for a joke or two and maybe an interview of a guest before bed,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Learn more from ABC Australia.
Trump ‘wants to declare victory as soon as possible’ in Iran: analyst – CTVNews
“The truth of the matter is we don’t know the details yet,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Learn more from CTVNews.
Segelken Completes Leadership Fredericksburg Program
Director of Continuing and Professional Studies Teresa Segelken
Director of Continuing and Professional Studies Teresa Segelken graduated from the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Fredericksburg program during a May 15 ceremony at the Fredericksburg Country Club.
Over nine months, Segelken and the 2026 class met in different business locations throughout the region. They learned key leadership content, took assessments, and met with community, business, nonprofit and educational leaders, who offered the fellows insights about their personal leadership journey. UMW Associate Provost of Career & Workforce Kimberly Young was part of the team of faculty leading the Chamber’s program, helping teach and mentor the class, supporting their progress throughout the program. Read more in the The Free Lance-Star.
Rao Featured in Article on ATI-UMW AI Chatbot Showcase
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 was featured by the FXBG Advance in an article titled, “In a Chatbot Showdown, Learning Wins.” The piece highlights Rao and the Academy of Innovation & Technology at UMW’s first chatbot competition. The contest was a capstone project for a course – designed by Rao – to introduce students to AI and its uses.
Originally created for UMW students, Rao modified the course for the 9th and 10th graders at the lab school and challenged the high schoolers to create and build an AI chatbot using PlayLab, a tool designed specifically for educators and students that allows them to build chatbots specific to the educational environment. Read the article from the FXBG Advance.
UMW Reunion Weekend, May 29 – 31
Reunion Weekend 2026 will celebrate Friday, May 29 through Sunday, May 31, especially class years ending in 1 and 6… but as always, ALL alumni, family, and friends are invited and encouraged to join in this memorable weekend.
Visit old stomping grounds on a campus tour… get back into the classroom for an Alumni College class taught by a UMW professor… join President Troy Paino on the lawn at Brompton… reconnect with classmates at a favorite downtown haunt… and join signature events like the Reunion Picnic on Ball Circle, the Virginia Wine, Beer & Cider Tasting, and the All-Class Party. Learn more about the weekend full of events, activities and memories.