Gary Richards, Associate Professor of English and Chair of the Department of English, Linguistics, and Communication, was one of three invited members on a panel titled “Celebrating Allan Gurganus” at The North Carolina Writers Conference held in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, July 28-29. The conference honored Gurganus, the author of Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All, White People, Plays Well with Others, The Practical Heart, and Local Souls, among other books. Richards has published on Gurganus’ Plays Well with Others, reviewed his Local Souls, and routinely taught his works in Southern literature and contemporary U.S. fiction courses.
Buster-Williams Gives Keynote
Kimberley Buster-Williams, vice president for enrollment management, gave the keynote address at Paskill, Stapleton and Lord’s summer conference. The conference was titled “The Making of a Super Recruiter: Making Good Recruiters Great.”
The conference, held July 20-21, 2017, in downtown Philadelphia, was designed to provide top Admission talent “next level training.” Led by PS&L consultants, participants were challenged to develop better internal communication skills, become more articulate representatives of their institution, hone their sales skills, and to move beyond the basics of Admissions 101. Participants were led through a series of workshops, utilizing small group breakout sessions.
The title of Buster-Williams’ address was “No Mud, No Lotus: Becoming a Super Recruiter.”
Schultz Hits the Water, Lands in National Geographic
During the week, Maria Schultz is assistant director for design services in UMW’s University Relations department. When she’s not working, though, her favorite place to be is on the water, with her dogs.
Schultz lists paddle-camping and stand-up paddle-boarding with her two dogs, Kona and Riley, among her passions. “It’s really the perfect weekend,” she said.
Schultz maintains an Instagram account dedicated to this pastime and to her sporty canines, sponsored in part by Zuke’s, a Durango, Colorado-based company that makes dog treats. She posts accounts of her water adventures on a regular basis.
Schultz published a book last year titled Paddle Tails: Reflections on people and dogs who find balance on the water, along with UMW’s Lisa Chinn Marvashti. And in 2013, Schultz published How to SUP with your PUP: A guide to stand-up paddle-boarding with your dog.
Jen Sotolongo, a National Geographic writer, knew of Schultz from her work with Zuke’s, and decided to include her in a feature that showcases nine other athletes with their animal compadres. The National Geographic story shows Schultz on the Shenandoah River, one of her favorite spots. “The western bank is state park, so you can camp anywhere.”
“I’m known as the girl who paddles with her dogs,” she said. “Paddle-boarding is our thing.”
Visit http://on.natgeo.com/2u177vW to read more about Schultz’s adventures. And to follow her (and Kona and Riley) on Instagram, go to http://bit.ly/2uXdOlP
Paying It Forward in 2017
Annual Eagle Club Golf Tournament Slated for Family Weekend, Sept. 15
UMW Athletics is excited to announce the 3rd Annual Eagle Club Golf Tournament will return for Family Weekend 2017. The event will be held at Augustine Golf Club, home of UMW Golf!
The Eagle Club is the fundraising arm of UMW Athletics and its mission is to maximize opportunities and strengthen support services for Mary Washington’s student-athletes in their pursuit of academic and athletic excellence. Included in the $150 cost to play is a $50 “Flight Level” donation to the Eagle Club. The tournament will also provide range balls, free drinks on the course, a pre-tournament lunch and post-tournament dinner, great prizes and more! Golfers may sign up individually, with a pair, or an entire foursome.
Registration is now open and will stay open until September 8, 2017 or until the event sells out.
Click here for more details and to register today!
Contact Eagle Club Director Philip Pierce (540)654-1153 or ppierce@umw.edu with any questions or with interest to register with cash/check.
A message from the Director of Athletics, Ken Tyler:
The Eagle Club Golf Tournament is an opportunity to celebrate and support the University of Mary Washington’s tradition of athletic excellence. Whether you’re a scratch golfer, a weekend hacker, or you’ve never picked up a club, your support of this event will make an immediate impact on the success of our student athletes and the quality of our athletic programs. Our goal is to have all athletic programs across all eras represented. The event is more than just an opportunity to get together. We want you to reconnect with old teammates, visit old friends and make new ones, and meet the staff. But we do this with purpose: the golfing will be great, but we gather to support UMW student athletes.
We have a great tradition and great pride because of many present and past who have supported those who wear the navy and gray. Let’s keep it going. I look forward to seeing you show your commitment at the 3rd Annual Eagle Club Golf Tournament. Thank you!
Event Schedule
1:00 p.m. Check-In and Open Range (Lunch Provided)
1:45 p.m. Welcome and Introduction
2:00 p.m. Shot Gun Start
6:00 p.m. Dinner, Awards, Prizes
Limited to 120 Golfers. Reservations on a first come first serve basis.
All-University Assembly Aug. 17
Please mark your calendars: All faculty and staff are invited to President Troy Paino’s annual Opening Assembly. It will be on Thursday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. until 11:45 a.m., in Dodd Auditorium.
SAC News
All University Assembly – All faculty and staff are invited to President Troy Paino’s annual Opening Assembly. It will be on Thursday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. until 11:45 a.m., in Dodd Auditorium.
Free Tickets to see The Flying Squirrels! UMW is one of the title sponsors for the Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Portland Sea Dogs baseball game on Wednesday, August 9. Human Resources will have 75 free tickets first come, first serve that can be picked up in GW 209. (Four tickets per person.) Game time is 6:35 p.m. and gates open at 5:30 p.m.
Test of UMW Emergency Alert System – The University will conduct testing of the Emergency Alert System, which includes UMW Alerts, desktop alerts, and the digital screens across campus. For more information, contact Christopher D. Cash, emergency systems integrator, at ccash@umw.edu or 540-654-1579.
Move-In Crew Volunteers Needed! Residence Life and Housing invites you to participate in one of the most exciting and memorable days of the year: Move-In Day! Move-In Day for first year and transfer students is Wednesday August 23, 2017. Move-In Day for returning students is Saturday, August 26, 2017. As Move-In Volunteers, you will welcome our new and returning students and their families, help unload cars, carry suitcases and boxes, and enjoy the energy that comes with the first day of students for the academic year. For more information, go to http://umweagleeye.wpengine.com/2017/07/20/move-in-crew-volunteers-needed/
Update on Summer Construction Projects – Find out all the latest information on campus construction projects by going to http://umweagleeye.wpengine.com/2017/07/19/update-on-summer-construction-projects/
Excellent Eagle Employee Program: Nominate your co-workers, supervisor or employees for the Excellent Eagle Employee award. It’s easy! Just complete the Excellent Eagle Employee nomination form on our website. Take some time to nominate someone today! Winners get reserved parking on campus for the month.
#1 F.A.N. (Fantastic Action Noticed) In addition to the Excellent Eagle program, you can also recognize a colleague using HR’s #1 F.A.N. program. Did you experience exceptional customer service or awesome collaboration? If so, nominate the person or people involved in that experience. Complete the #1 F.A.N. form on the HR website, and your colleague will be able to choose a UMW spirit item as a token of appreciation.
Pierce Named as Leadership Fredericksburg Fellow
Philip Pierce, director of athletic development with UMW’s Athletics department, has been chosen by the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce as one of the 29 fellows in its Leadership Fredericksburg program’s 2018 Class.
The fellows will take part in sessions from September through May that will include in-depth leadership skills development and meetings with various industry and community leaders. Each fellow will be paired with a trained mentor from the business community who will support his or her progress through the program. The participants will divide into teams to partner with an area nonprofit on an action learning project. Each team will present concrete results to the nonprofits next May.
Upon graduating in May, members of the 2018 class may join the Leadership Fredericksburg Alumni Association and have opportunities to serve on the Leadership Advisory Board, mentor future participants, take a leadership role in the Alumni, and help implement future programs. The Chamber will partner with David Corderman with Academy Leadership Associates and J.R. Flatter with Flatter and Associates to plan and implement the program.
Philip has been with UMW for four years. In addition to overseeing UMW Athletics’ Eagle Club and Corporate Partner Program, he works closely with University Advancement and Alumni Relations to provide and strengthen engagement opportunities with alumni, community members, parents and UMW athletic programs. Philip spearheads campus events like Eagle Nation Day, Eagle Madness and the UMW Athletics Gala. For consecutive years Philip has also led the UMW Athletics Leadership Academy, a three-day immersion in leadership development activities and discussion sessions for 30-40 student-athletes.
Fall Employee Luncheon is Oct. 17
Mark your calendars for the Fall Employee Luncheon! It will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 17, in the Chandler Ballroom. More details to come.
Safe Zone Workshops
The Safe Zone program offers workshops that are designed to educate members of the University community about lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ+) issues to increase the safety and inclusion of all its members.
Safe Zone consists of people who will:
- Be understanding, supportive, and trustworthy if LGBTQ+ individuals need help, advice or just someone to talk to.
- Not tolerate homophobic and heterosexist comments and actions and will address them in an educational and informative manner.
- Have received training and can provide information regarding on- or off-campus resources.
We offer two types of Safe Zone workshops for faculty and staff. The Basic training focuses on terminology, issues related to privilege, increasing awareness and sensitivity, and how to support the LGBTQ+ population on campus. The Advanced training is for faculty and staff who have already completed the Basic training and covers more advanced topics, including bystander intervention.
We are currently accepting enrollment for a Basic training session for any interested faculty or staff member on Friday, Aug. 18, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. We are offering an Advanced training on Thursday, Aug. 24 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Registration is required and space is limited. Please email Laura Wilson at lwilson5@umw.edu to register for the training or if you have questions.

