Julia Davis, Author at EagleEye

UMW Represented on National Advisory Board

March 30, 2015 by Julia Davis

Kimberley Buster-Williams, associate provost for enrollment management, was invited to serve on the first National Advisory Board for the newly combined company Ruffalo-Noel-Levitz. The meeting took place on March 11 in Cedar Rapid, Iowa.

In early fall, RuffaloCODY and Noel-Levitz came together in hopes of providing an unparalleled level of research, consulting, strategy and services. A number of new approaches and services were discussed during the meeting.

This summer Buster-Williams will be attending Ruffalo-Noel-Levitz’s National Conference on Student Recruitment, Marketing and Retention with other National Advisory Board members.

Fundraiser for Faculty Member Gary Carper

March 25, 2015 by Julia Davis

Gary Carper, long-time adjunct faculty member to the music department, lost his home to a terrible fire on Sunday, March 22.

According to his eldest daughter, Gary and his wife Charleen lost everything, including decades of music and memorabilia from Gary’s long career as a professional musician.

A fundraiser has been set up at http://www.youcaring.com/emergency-fundraiser/carper-family-fire-fund/325842#. Funds will go towards providing the essentials of living, and later towards the clean-up, and either demolition or rebuilding of their home.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Here’s hoping we can pull together as a community and support Gary and his family during this difficult time.

Upcoming Cultural Events

March 25, 2015 by Julia Davis

Cultural Events for the Week of Monday, March 30 to Friday, April 3:

Monday, March 30: Islamic Cultural Celebration Kick-Off, 4 p.m., Ball Circle (Rain Location: The Underground)
Monday March 30: CADL Discussion- ‘Beyond Marriage Equality: The GSM movement Today,’ 6 p.m., Monroe 112
Tuesday, March 31: Islamic Art/Calligraphy with Arjuman Rizvi, 7:30 p.m., Melchers Hall Room 102
Wednesday, April 1: Film & Discussion- “Allah Made Me Funny,“ 6 p.m., Monroe 346
Thursday, April 2: Islamic Cultural Celebration Banquet Keynote Speaker: Noor Tagouri, 6 p.m., Faculty/Staff Dining Room, Seacobeck Hall
Friday, April 3: UMW HOLI- Indian Festival of Colors, 5 p.m., Ball Circle

UMW to Host 25th Annual Multicultural Fair, April 11

March 23, 2015 by Julia Davis

Every April the University of Mary Washington comes alive with a celebration of culture, diversity and spring at the Annual Multicultural Fair.

At the center of the outdoor fair is UMW’s own Eagle Bhangra, a student dance group that promotes diversity on campus by sharing folk Punjabi dances native to the Punjab region of Pakistan and India. They’ve become an iconic sight as they move barefoot down the bricks of Campus Walk in their brightly colored costumes, spreading energy and smiles as they go.

“We hope to inspire our viewers to dance and to give them joy,” said Eagle Bhangra Captain Maria Joranko, a senior double studio art and art history major.

Eagle Bhangra performs at a previous Multicultural Fair

Eagle Bhangra is one of more than 30 music and dance groups participating in 25th annual fair on Saturday, April 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event draws thousands to the Fredericksburg campus annually.

The fair, organized by the James Farmer Multicultural Center, is dedicated to showcasing as many cultures and cultural expressions as possible through a variety ethic performances, international foods and craft vendors. The fair also features kid-friendly crafts, activities and performances.

“We want the spirit of the Multicultural Fair to be very positive,” said Greta Franklin, associate director of the James Farmer Multicultural Center. “It’s a fun, celebratory atmosphere. Anybody can come to the fair and have a great time.”

The fair’s theme of “differences enrich us all” demonstrates UMW’s commitment to multicultural awareness, and offers the chance to learn about new cultures and experiences, including Bhangra.

“We hope that people take away a sense of excitement and a desire to learn a little more about Indian culture,” said Joranko. “We are glad to expose them to this dance form that they may never have heard of.”

In addition, more than 50 vendors will sell an array of jewelry, pottery, instruments and traditional clothing representing various cultures and food trucks from different cuisines.

The fair has grown tremendously since its premier in 1990. With more than 4,000 attendees each year, the fair is one of the largest events on UMW’s campus.

The Multicultural Fair will be held rain or shine and is free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://umw.edu/multicultural/fair or contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at (540) 654-1044.

Roxann Rowley Interviewed by Ngoma Reader Magazine

March 18, 2015 by Julia Davis

Adjunct Dance Professor Roxann Rowley was interviewed for an article in Ngoma Reader Magazine, a dance journal for dance artists in the Washington, D.C. area.

Rowley was featured in “Dance Steps, Life and Visions,” a spotlight that showcases local Washington, D.C. artists.

Aminrazavi Presents at Library of Congress

March 18, 2015 by Julia Davis

Mehdi Aminrazavi, professor of philosophy and religion, presented the opening lecture at “The Persian Book Lecture Series” at the Library of Congress on Tuesday, March 17.

The lecture and book signing celebrated the completion of the five volume “Anthology of Philosophy in Persia,” which is co-edited by Aminrazavi.

President Hurley Is Taking the Two Dollar Challenge, Will You?

March 12, 2015 by Julia Davis

That’s right – our own president is taking the Two Dollar Challenge April 6-10 to raise awareness of global poverty. The question is – will you?

Now a national educational movement, the Two Dollar Challenge was founded at UMW in 2006 and is run by eight UMW students and Professor of Economics Shawn Humphrey – all on $50 and volunteer support.

The 5-day awareness program challenges college and high school students across the United States to live on just two dollars a day. Participants buy food, hygiene products and other necessities out of two dollars a day while following other rules designed to simulate obstacles faced by people living in poverty.

At UMW, students will spend the week living and sleeping in make-shift shelters built from cardboard boxes and tarps as part of an experiential learning experience.

So I have to sleep in a tent on Ball Circle?

Not at all. Start small with the beginner level – 3 days and 2 nights with $6 total to spend and you can sleep in your own bed and take hot showers in your own home.

Want to sign up or learn more?

Visit the challenge’s website at twodollarchallenge.org.
Come to an information session Thursday, March 19 at 5 p.m. in the ITCC’s Digital Auditorium.
Use #2DollarsADay to join the conversation on social media.

Willy-Nilly Chili Cook-Off Results

March 12, 2015 by Julia Davis

Thank you to everyone that supported the “Willy Nilly Chili Cook-off” and the Resource Fair held at the Underground on March 3rd. We had over 150 people pass through, visiting with our vendors and business resources for the University, plus the treat of tasting and voting for the Best Over-all Chili brought in by fellow employees.

A special “Thank you” to Sodexo for allowing the Staff Advisory Council to use the Underground, and to PepsiCo for sponsoring the EagleOne money prizes for the Chili cook-off winners.

Chili Cook-Off Winners:

First Place: Pam Verbeck, President’s Office with “The Big Bang Chili”
Second Place: Jill Ellington, Enterprise Applications Services with “One Chili to Rule Them All”
Third Place: Amy O’Reilly, Provost’s Office with “Guinness Chili”

Vendor Fair EagleOne and Bookstore drawing winners:

William Barnett –$25.00 EagleOne money

Debra Wander – Electronic picture frame

Elisabeth Burick – 2 golf towels

Watch for us next year around the same time. Practice up on your chili recipes.

-SAC Activities Committee

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