University Dining is hosting their big, end-of-the-year dining event, “Aloha Luau”, on Wednesday, March 27, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Top of the CRUC.

Polynesian dancers will perform at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. There will be Hawaiian music, decor, non-alcoholic Pina Coladas, and the first 250 guests will get a welcome lei! The dining room will be closed from 2 to 5 p.m. to set up. Menu details will be posted on the dining website on Friday, March 29.

For further information, contact Dining@UMW.edu.

Margaret Gregory ’21

A colloquium sponsored by the Society of Physics Students and hosted by the Department of Chemistry and Physics, titled “Near-surface transport in and around Cape Cod Bay, its seasonal variability and response to wind,” will take place on Friday, March 29, at 4 p.m. in Jepson 225.

Margaret Gregory ’21 will present the talk.

Motivated by the potential release of radioactive wastewater from the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station (PNPS) into Cape Cod Bay, this talk will discuss near-surface transport in and around Cape Cod Bay. Key questions include: what are the dominant transport pathways, how do they vary in time on seasonal to interannual scales, and what is the role of wind in driving this variability? In order to determine the probable spreading pathways of a hypothetical wastewater plume, a Lagrangian approach is adapted in which large ensembles of simulated trajectories are estimated using velocity fields obtained from a high-resolution numerical model. Statistical methods are then applied to the large ensembles of trajectories in order to characterize the transport.

Contact SPS President Carly Healy at chealy2@mail.umw.edu with questions.

Dining Services presents the 2024 Health Fair on Wednesday, April 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Cedric Rucker University Center’s Chandler Ballroom.

It’s a free Health Fair for the entire Fredericksburg area community, with information, free food and product samples, and door prizes (including a $100 VISA Card).

Chair massages and blood pressure checks will take place throughout the fair.

There is still room for additional vendors, and volunteers are needed to help set up the vendor booths.  Contact Rose Benedict at rbenedic@umw.edu.

For more information, contact University Dining at 540-654-2169 or Dining@UMW.edu.

The following message is from the Division of Students Affairs and Administration and Finance:

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

We’re eager to share with you a planned renovation project for the pool in Goolrick Hall. This project, which started last summer with an evaluation and some mechanical repairs, now continues with additional maintenance and improvements to the pool that will provide a better experience for all its users. This next phase of work requires draining the pool to check the drains and systems, replace tiles, and ensure the pool is code compliant. The pool deck will also be replaced.

The pool in Goolrick Hall will be closed beginning Monday, March 18, for renovations extending through the summer. It is anticipated to re-open in the early part of the fall 2024 semester for the start of fall sports and activities.

We understand that this closure impacts many swimmers and other patrons, and we’ve worked closely with our athletics teams, club sports, and frequent users to minimize disruptions during their seasons and training schedules. Please reach out to Campus Recreation at campusrec@umw.edu if you need alternative pool recommendations for your activities. The Fitness Center, auxiliary gym and main gym, along with primary locker rooms, remain open. Additionally, we encourage patrons to take advantage of a variety of group fitness offerings viewable here.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to maintain our recreation facilities and upgrade the pool. We look forward to welcoming you back to the water in the fall semester and will communicate updates to the plan or schedule changes as we start the fall semester. For more information on this project and other construction and renovation projects on campus, please visit the Facilities Operations website.

Vice President for Student Affairs Juliette Landphair
Vice President for Administration and Finance and CFO Craig Erwin

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Associate Professor of Education Jane Huffman, who was the program director for post-baccalaureate initial licensure, advanced, and non-degree programs in the College of Education.  A faculty member at UMW for 17 years, she brought a wealth of knowledge to the classroom and encouraged students to be innovative in their classrooms.

Throughout her work, Jane kept an open mind about new and engaging teaching methods including the use of hands-on problem-based learning strategies. She integrated the use of Lego bricks in her teaching methods classes, which inspired and led to the Lego wall in the Seacobeck Makerspace. In 2018, she was recognized with the Graduate Faculty Award. The honor showcases an exceptional full-time faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in graduate teaching and professional leadership in a graduate program.

Jane was actively engaged in leadership for many years at the state level with the Association of Colleges of Teacher Education in Virginia, where she served as the executive director and as president, and the Association for Teacher Educators. Locally, she was civically engaged and served on the advisory board at Ferry Farm and gave tours there. She previously was chair and a tenured associate professor at UNC Pembroke, and also had a deep love of Virginia Tech, her alma mater for her Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction. She also earned an M.S. in educational media and a B.S. in history and social studies from Radford University.

She will be deeply missed by the College of Education, the campus community, and the many students and teachers whom she connected with through the years.  A small family service is being planned, and those wishing to send condolences are requested to make a donation to their favorite animal welfare charity in memory of Jane and her love of her cats, in lieu of sending flowers.

The staff members at the Talley Center for Counseling Services are here for any student who may need immediate support. Contact the center at 540-654-1053 for options or visit the Talley Center website for additional resources. UMW students also have on-demand, free access to mental health services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, via TimelyCare, an online service accessed via a web browser or app. Go to timelycare.com/umw to access the service using single sign-on (you’ll access it with your UMW NetID – just using umw.edu at the end).

For faculty and staff, information about the Employee Assistance Program, which is available at no cost with state employee health insurance plans, may be accessed through the Human Resources website.

Timothy M. O’Donnell
Provost
University of Mary Washington

Bonnie’s obituary as published by The Free Lance-Star on March 10, 2024:

Bonnie Sue Sievert, formerly Bonnie Sue Hailey, was born on January 10, 1948, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, to Harold and Audrey Hailey. She passed away on February 15, 2024, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, at the age of 76.

Bonnie dedicated many years of her life to the University of Mary Washington, where she worked diligently until her retirement in 2012. Her commitment and hard work left a lasting impact on all those she encountered.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Bonnie found immense joy in her hobbies. Her greatest love was her family and friends, and her garden was a testament to her passion for cultivating beautiful plants and flowers. Her nurturing spirit and green thumb brought beauty and solace to all who visited her garden.

Bonnie is survived by her loving husband, Rick; son Chris Clore and daughter-in-law Karel; grandchildren Tyler, Patrick, and Aaron; sisters Joyce Moore (Wayne) and Kay Burrell (Rod); nephews Tim Eutsler, Shawn Eutsler, Nick Burrell, and niece Christin Perry, and numerous great -nieces and nephews.

Bonnie will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched with her warmth, kindness, and green-fingered talents. May she rest in peace.