April 23, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Faculty Staff Orientation Volunteers Needed, Through June 26

by

We’re still searching for volunteers for our upcoming First-Year and Transfer Orientation sessions this summer. Whether you have previous experience with orientation programs or want to lend a hand for the first time, we welcome you! Your willingness will make a huge impact on our incoming students and help provide support to the New Student Programs (NSP) team.
Orientation serves as a mid-summer touch point for incoming students, offering them a warm welcome and providing essential information to help ease their transition into life at UMW. Your involvement as a volunteer plays an important role in creating a supportive and inclusive environment for our new students.
Here’s where we need your help:
Below, you’ll see the dates of orientation for both First-Year and Transfer students. We are asking that you’ll volunteer your time as you’re able to be on campus greeting and offering directions in the mornings as students and supporters are checking in.
Orientation Dates
Volunteer Placements/Stations
First-Year (FY) Dates:
  • June 6-7
  • June 10-11
  • June 13-14
  • June 17-18
  • June 20-21
  • June 24-25
*2-day, overnight experience
·                     Day 1: Bell Tower –> James Farmer Hall –> Lee Hall –> Fountain
    • 2 shifts: 7:30-8:30a.m., and 8:30-9:15a.m.
    • Supporters and students will park/drop off at the Bell Tower and walk to check in at Willard Hall
·                     Day 2: Thornton St. Parking Lot –> duPont Hall –> Seacobeck Hall (along College Ave.)
o        1 shift: 7:30-8:15a.m.
o        Supporters will park in Thornton Lot and walk to Seacobeck for the start of Day 2
Transfer Dates:
  • June 5
  • June 26
*single day session
  • Day 1: College Ave near Double Drive –> College Ave near Fairfax House –> College Ave @ CRUC 1st floor
    • 2 shifts: 7:30-8:30a.m., and 8:30-9:30a.m.
    • Students and supporters will park in GW Lot and head to the CRUC for the day
If you are interested in volunteering for First-Year and/or Transfer Orientation, please complete the volunteer sign-up form linked below ASAP, as Orientation begins early June. Someone will follow up with additional details as the orientation dates approach. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084CA9A82BA5FAC52-49417893-2024
The more the merrier, so share with your team if they’re interested.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to support our new students. If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I look forward to working together to make this year’s orientation a welcoming experience for all!
Carson Berrier (she/her)
Admissions Counselor
(540) 654-5817 (office)

(540) 501-6174 (text)

cberrier@umw.edu

WMWC Opens Applications to Staff!

by

The day is here! Applications are finally open for all faculty and staff who are interested in applying!

 

The application is linked below, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to wmwccampusradio@gmail.com with any questions!

 

https://forms.gle/4RnmCN1WdSFGkqgq5

Waters Installed as VAS President

by

Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Parrish Waters

Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Parrish Waters

Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Parrish Waters was installed as president of the Virginia Academy of Science during the VAS annual meeting, hosted earlier this month at the University of Mary Washington.

UMW’s Spring 2024 President’s and Dean’s Lists

by

UMW celebrates the students who made the President's and Dean's Lists for the spring 2024 semester.

UMW celebrates the students who made the President’s and Dean’s Lists for the spring 2024 semester.

The University of Mary Washington announces its spring 2024 President’s List and Dean’s List.

To be recognized on these lists a student must carry at least 12 graded credits of new coursework. Students who earn a grade-point average of 4.00 on all work taken for graded credit in a semester receive a spot on the President’s List. Students who earn a grade-point average of 3.50 to 3.99 on all work taken for graded credit in a semester are placed on the Dean’s List.

Decisions regarding inclusion on the lists are based on a student’s record as it stands at the official close-of-the-semester grading period. A temporary grade (I or G) postpones consideration; however, once this grade is converted to a permanent letter grade, the student’s GPA is calculated and, if appropriate, a list notation will be made on the student’s permanent record.

We congratulate the students earning these honors this semester and hope you will share in recognizing their academic achievements @MaryWash. Read more.

The String Queens Return to UMW, May 31

by

The String Queens album cover

Don’t miss the opportunity to join Continuing and Professional Studies for The String Queens Master Class for Educators. This session offers a unique opportunity to grow as educators in four essential areas of today’s classroom; social-emotional learning in the music classroom, a trauma-informed centered music classroom, creating a culturally inclusive classroom and finding your balance as an educator and performer. This session will be held on May 31st from 9 am-1 pm at the Stafford Campus in University Hall.

This course is free to all UMW Staff and Faculty. Please register here and use code UMWTSQ at checkout for a 100% discount.

The String Queens, TSQ, visited UMW in December as both guest speakers for students studying music and as performers to a full house in UMW’s Dodd Auditorium! We welcome them back for another awesome learning opportunity geared to all educators! TSQ are a dynamic trio that creates stimulating musical experiences, inspiring diverse audiences to love, hope, feel, and imagine. With a repertoire spanning from the Baroque era to the Jazz Age to today’s Billboard Hot 100 Chart, TSQ performs versatile programs that take listeners on a rousing musical journey through time and various genres.

Wynn Installed as VAS Treasurer

by

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.

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.

June Coffee Talk, June 11

by

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.

Register for the June Coffe Talk

Farnsworth Lectures on Political Humor in Germany

by

Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth

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:

Jury begins deliberations in Trump Trial (CTV News)
“Well, there is really no way of knowing how long this could go,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2931002

The Kennedy Who Wants to Dynamite the Presidential Campaign (The Sunday Tribune, Paris)

“Almost all of the voters fear the other camp enough they will avoid voting for a third party candidate to make sure that the major party candidate that they like the least does not win,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientists at the University of Mary Washington.
Closing arguments begin today in Trump’s trial (CTV News)
“This is a time when the two sides really have to take weeks of evidence and figure our a way to distill it in a way that the jury can appreciate and focus on the things that that side wants,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2930898

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/

Both sides rest in Donald Trump hush money trial (CTV News)
Well, this really wasn’t a surprise to anyone. Donald Trump always says he is going to do something,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Prince William board signals support for 400-unit housing development in mid-county environmental zone (Inside NOVA)
“Virginia has rapidly returned to its purple state status,” said Stephen J. Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington and the Center’s director.
Youngkin Vetoes Measures to Remove Tax Breaks for Confederate Heritage Group (The New York Times)
The governor has consistently worked in a direction that would endear him to the Republican base,” Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, said in April, after the assembly passed the bills. He added that because of political and cultural shifts in Virginia in recent years, he expected the tax exemptions to be revoked the next time a Democrat becomes governor.
Young vetoes measures to eliminate tax incentives for Confederate heritage group (The nor’wester)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, said after the Assembly passed the bills in April, “the governor continues to work toward getting him to the Republican base. Because of the political and cultural changes that have occurred in Virginia in recent years, the next time a Democrat becomes governor, the tax breaks will be repealed.” He expected it to be done.

Gately Hits High Notes in May With NSO and ‘Music in the Parks’

by

Doug Gately, senior lecturer in the Department of Music

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.