Virginia Public Service Week is a specific time set aside to recognize and appreciate the great work our employees do each and every day. As part of that recognition, Human Resources will offer employees ice cream on Ball Circle by Lee Hall, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., on Thursday, May 16.
Rao Pens Article on AI in ‘Higher Education Digest’
Professor of Communication and Chair of the Department of Communication and Digital Studies Anand Rao
Professor of Communication and Department Chair Anand Rao co-wrote an article titled “Our Students’ Future in an AI-World is Debatable” in Higher Education Digest. “As fears of undetectable AI-powered cheating sweep through college campuses, many in higher education are sounding the alarm about its disruptive potential,” the article begins. “But while the threat of ChatGPT-assisted term papers may keep academics up at night, the actual problem facing higher education is much more significant: how can we prepare our students for the AI-driven workplace of the future?” Read more.
Thornton Street Parking Lot Reserved Thursday, May 16
The following message is from the Office of Administration and Finance:
On Thursday, May 16, 2024, the Thornton Street lot will be reserved from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. for the Annual Meeting of the Virginia Academy of Science. Guests of the event will also be permitted to use the Pizza Hut lot and Alvey Deck.
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. Please contact Parking Management with any parking related questions: parking@umw.edu, 540/654-1129.
UMW Bestows Emeritus Honors on Administrative Faculty Members
The University of Mary Washington Board of Visitors has bestowed emeritus status on two administrative faculty members for spring 2024. Gari Melchers Home and Studio Assistant Director and Curator Joanna Catron and Simpson Library Head of Special Collections and University Archives Carolyn Parsons were honored for their commitment to the University and to their respective professions. Read more.
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- Joanna Catron
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- Carolyn Parsons
Johnson-Young Talks Birth Trauma on ‘With Good Reason’
Associate Professor of Communication Elizabeth Johnson-Young
Associate Professor of Communication Elizabeth Johnson-Young spoke with the With Good Reason public radio show about her research on birth trauma. As part of an episode regarding care for mothers, Dr. Johnson-Young talked about her qualitative interviews with mothers who experienced what they defined as traumatic or difficult, the results of which were published earlier this year. Listen to the episode.
Gentry Discusses Stafford Rezoning Issues With ‘FLS’
College of Business Professor Lance Gentry
College of Business Professor Lance Gentry spoke to The Free Lance-Star for an article titled “Stafford denies rezoning farmland for senior community.” Genrty noted the continuing need Stafford would have for retirement communities unless the board could “magically stop all growth.” Read more.
Hybrid Retirement Plan Presentation for Participants ONLY, May 20
The quarterly Hybrid Plan Features and Benefits virtual presentation will be held on Monday, May 20.
Your Retirement 101: Virtual Meetings for Your Hybrid Retirement Plan
We invite you to attend a virtual meeting to review the Hybrid Retirement Plan including features, benefits and investment options. Defined Contribution Plans Retirement Specialists from MissionSquare Retirement, the record keeper for the VRS Defined Contribution Plans, and Hybrid Retirement Plan Counselors from VRS, will conduct the program. Defined Contribution Plans Retirement Specialists will be available for virtual one-on-one appointments.
Date: May 20th, 2024
Presenter: Ashley Lucas | alucas@missionsq.org
Join Us to Learn More About Your Retirement Options
Hybrid Retirement Plan: Features and Benefits
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
What is the hybrid plan? What’s the difference between the defined benefit and defined contribution components? Join us as we review all components of the Hybrid Retirement Plan; we’ll discuss the different types of contributions, distributions and managing the plans. Register.
Select How Your Savings Are Invested
VRS Defined Contribution Plans Investment Options
10:45 – 11:45 a.m.
Do you find investing confusing? Learn about asset classes, diversification and the investment paths available to you. This session relates to the Defined Contribution Component of the Hybrid Retirement Plan and all other VRS Defined Contribution Plans. Register.
Individual Appointments
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Need assistance? Sign-up for a 30-minute virtual one-on-one with a Defined Contribution Plans Retirement Specialist. Hybrid Retirement Plan members as well as participants in other VRS Defined Contribution Plans are welcome to reserve an individual appointment. Register.
Defined Contribution Plans Retirement Specialists cannot provide financial, tax or investment advice.
University of Mary Washington Class of 2024 Senior Spotlights
Top row, from left: Jenna Diehl, Logan Kurtz, Sasha Poletes. Bottom row, from left: Luisa Restrepo, Conrad Tan, Norah Walsh. Read about these stellar seniors and so many more!
The University of Mary Washington is proud of every student graduating this year. UMW is committed to providing a college experience that focuses on what matters most to each individual. As this year’s seniors spread their wings to explore life after Mary Washington, read about some of UMW’s 2024 Superstars, their accomplishments and the people who make this place. Read more.
Moon Shares Expertise on Racially Restrictive Covenants
Professor of History and American Studies Krystyn Moon
Professor of History and American Studies Krystyn Moon spoke with ARL Now for an article titled “New study documents location of discriminatory deed covenants in Arlington and N. Va.” In the article, Moon, a lead researcher on the study, said, “The demographic makeup of our region is very different today in comparison to the period that we are analyzing, in part because of major inroads made by civil rights and immigration policies after World War II. “That being said, the residue of the practice of using racially restrictive covenants remains with us today, and inequities persist.” Read more.
Farnsworth Lectures on Entertainment Media and Politics
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Stephen Farnsworth
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a lecture, “Entertainment Media and Politics: Late-Night Political Humor and the American Presidency,” at the American Studies Center of the University of Warsaw in Poland. The talk 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 in Poland as a Spring 2024 Fulbright Distinguished Scholar.
In addition, recent media mentions for Dr. Farnsworth include:
After Spanberger: 7th District Dems run local race in national spotlight (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“It’s very clear the Republicans don’t want to run against Vindman,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg.
In 7th District primary, Republicans debate party’s future (Richmond Times Dispatch; The Daily Progress)
“Six months ago, I might have expected Anderson to be nominated in a walk,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. “Increasingly, the Republican primary is showing up as a referendum on what the future of the Republican Party should be. Should it be Speaker Mike Johnson or Bob Good or Rand Paul?”
Campaign contributions reveal Fauquier’s north-south divide (Fauquier Times)
“Increasingly, it may make sense to think of Fauquier as a county with a much redder south and a more purple north,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington.
New poll shows tight presidential race in Virginia (Potomac Local)
“The main thing to gather from this survey is that Virginia remains a far more purple state than many national political observers seem to think. The fact that this poll is well within the margin of error demonstrates that both political parties would be wise to focus on Virginia in 2024, as they did in several previous election cycles – but not in 2020,” said Professor of Political Science and International Affairs & Director, Center for Leadership and Media Studies Dr. Stephen J. Farnsworth.
Late Night Goes Soft on Biden (Politico)
According to Stephen Farnsworth, the director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington and co-author of Late Night with Trump: Political Humor and the American Presidency, there was another reason for the shift in attitude: ratings.
Trump Back In New York Court (CTV News)
“Judging from the judge’s comments this morning, it does seem as if there is going to be another rounds of sanctions,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
State Sen. Hashmi of Chesterfield enters 2025 lieutenant governor’s race (Virginia Dogwood)
“Sen. Hashmi enters the race as a serious candidate for LG,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “She has an effective track record as a legislator in Richmond. Her focus on health concerns provides a specific appeal to the many Democratic primary voters concerned about the affordability and availability of health care.”