A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff
UMW Associate Professor of Biological Sciences April Wynn talks with Richard Groover of George Mason University during the annual meeting of the Virginia Academy of Science, held at Mary Washington.
Associate Professor of Biological Sciences April Wynn was installed as the treasurer of the Virginia Academy of Science during the VAS meeting, held earlier this month at the University of Mary Washington.
UMW President Troy Paino
UMW President Troy Paino was interviewed recently by local media outlet FXBG Advance. Whether it’s the university and the surrounding community, or the liberal arts and artificial intelligence, UMW’s president is building connections for the future. Read more.
June Coffee Talk
Tuesday, June 11, 2024, 8 to 9 a.m., 718 Venue, 718 Caroline St., Fredericksburg. Parking is available at Riverfront Park, George STreet Lot and Sophia Street Parking Deck, as well as along Caroline Street.
Attendees will receive a 10% discount on coffee from Italian Station when they mention they are there for the Coffee Talk session.
Join us at June’s Coffee Talk as we discuss the topic of Health & Wellness.
In this session, learn how living a healthy lifestyle can build resilience. Discuss important habits that can help you build a strong foundation for navigating the adversities and challenges of life.
June’s Coffee Talk will be led by Season Plato, Certified Health & Wellness Coach.
Season Plato is a Certified Health & Wellness Coach, whose passion is to guide others in creating a healthy life. She provides a comprehensive program that offers one on one coaching, accountability, education and customized nutrition plans. You don’t have to do it alone. Become part of a community of supportive clients and coaches choosing to pursue health and wellness together. You too can create a healthy lifestyle, one habit at a time.
Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a lecture, “Late-Night in Washington: Political Humor in U.S. Presidential Elections,” at Europa University Viadrina, in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany. The talk, sponsored jointly by Fulbright Poland and Fulbright Germany, was derived from portions of Dr. Farnsworth’s recently published co-authored book, Late-Night in Washington: Political Humor and the American Presidency. Dr. Farnsworth is serving at the University of Warsaw in Poland as a Spring 2024 Fulbright Distinguished Scholar.
In addition, recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:
The Kennedy Who Wants to Dynamite the Presidential Campaign (The Sunday Tribune, Paris)
Hogan makes abortion-rights stand in Senate race (WTOP)
“Gov. Hogan had to make an ad like this. In pro-choice Maryland, being a Republican in a time when Roe vs. Wade has been overturned is very difficult in a statewide election,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political-science professor at the University of Mary Washington.
https://wtop.com/maryland-election/2024/05/hogan-makes-pro-choice-stand-in-senate-race/
Doug Gately, senior lecturer in the Department of Music
Department of Music Senior Lecturer Doug Gately performed with the National Symphony Orchestra at the televised U.S. Capital Memorial Day Concert, hosted by Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise on May 26. Guest artists and celebrities with the orchestra included Bryan Cranston, Jena Malone, Mary McCormack, Cynthia Erivo, Pitino Miller, Ruthie Ann Miles, Gary Le Vox, and BD Wong.
Gately also adjudicated performances throughout the month of May for Music In The Parks and Kings Dominion. This educational opportunity offers high school and middle school bands and orchestras a chance to perform. Groups throughout the Northeast and Southcentral United States come for assessment and compete for awards. They cap off their experience with a fun-filled day at the park.
The University of Mary Washington’s Fredericksburg Campus hosted the annual meeting of the Virginia Academy of Science on May 16. More than 200 scientists including faculty, as well as graduate and undergraduate students from across the state, attended, presenting their work in both oral and poster presentations. The meeting took place across campus, including classrooms in the Jepson Science Center and the Hurley Convergence Center Digital Auditorium, where nearly 90 posters were displayed.
UMW Adjunct Instructor of Earth and Environmental Sciences John Tippett delivered the keynote speech – Bridging Science and Policy: The Story of stormwater bioremediation in Virginia – in Dodd Auditorium. Assistant Professor of Physics Desmond Villalba also spoke.
UMW Professors Debra O’Dell, Parrish Waters, April Wynn, Swati Agrawal, Ginny Morriss and Laura Sipe had students who presented at the meeting.
Also during the meeting, Waters was installed as VAS president, and Wynn was installed as treasurer.
UMW staff, including Susan Worrell, Susan Lafayette, Leslie Jacobs, Doug Noble, and Ryan Imrie, along with Kyle Kouri with Sodexo, helped make the event possible.
Associate Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds
Associate Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds co-wrote an opinion piece for the FXBG Advance titled “Fredericksburg’s Climate Commitment Is Too Important to Miss.” The article begins: In 2019, the City of Fredericksburg made a pledge to its residents that it would power all municipal operations—city works, parks and recreation, schools, and (where possible) police and emergency response—with 100% renewable energy by 2035. Read more.
Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus
Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus spoke to WION News and Asharq News for a segment titled “U.S. Imposes 100% tariff on Chinese EVs.” “This is a continuing trade war,” Larus said. Watch the segment.
The UMW website has undergone significant transformation during the Spring Semester. The Digital Communications team in University Communications has relaunched over 900 pages since January 1st, showcasing a refreshed design, improved accessibility, and enhanced user experience. Sites updated this semester include Academics, Information Technology, Student Accounts, the CRUC, Dodd Auditorium and CIE. Commencement was also a major focus, as the website plays a crucial role in the success of that day.
Throughout this semester, the team has conducted extensive work in support of Admissions and Financial Aid, particularly in promoting visits, attracting prospective students to apply, and assisting families with navigating FAFSA-related issues.
The phased rollout of the new website design will continue during the summer. Digital Communications will provide advance notice to each office or department before initiating updates to their respective websites.
If you have questions about your site, please contact webmaster@umw.edu.
Nicole Crowder and Miriam Liss
At the end of each spring semester, UMW faculty gather to approve the graduates and recognize colleagues who are retiring from their dedicated service. Departmental tributes chronicle their time in the classrooms and labs, with committees and their communities, as leaders in undergraduate research, and in their areas of study. In spring 2024, UMW recognized seven faculty emeriti.
Faculty members who have served the University of Mary Washington for at least 15 years and who have attained the rank of professor or associate professor are eligible to be considered for emeritus status, which is bestowed by the Board of Visitors.
In addition, at an April 24 meeting, the University announced two annual awards. Professor of Chemistry Nicole Crowder was recognized with the Faculty Leadership Award, and Professor and Chair of Psychological Science Miriam Liss was honored with the 2024 Anderson Distinguished Professor Award. Read more.
