January 19, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Wilson Comments on Teens Using Tik Tok to Protest School Shootings

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Laura Wilson, associate professor of psychology

Laura Wilson, associate professor of psychology

Associate Professor of Psychological Science Laura Wilson, an expert in the psychological effects of mass shootings, commented on the phenomenon of teens turning to social media app Tik Tok to protest school shootings.

“People have really different reactions to humor as a coping strategy, but humor can be a really healthy form of coping,” Wilson said to the upstate New York FOX affiliate. “After trauma, what a lot of people struggle with is vulnerability, and by making a joke or video about it, they think, ‘I’m taking control of this.'” Read more. 

Spencer Presents Lecture for Washington Heritage Museums’ Speaker Series

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Michael Spencer, associate professor and director for the Center for Historic Preservation

Michael Spencer, associate professor and director for the Center for Historic Preservation

Michael Spencer, associate professor and chair of the Department of Historic Preservation, was the October speaker for Washington Heritage Museums’ speaker series. Spencer, who is the board chair of the Washington Heritage Museums, presented a free, public lecture entitled “Dendrochronology: Using Tree Rings to Date the Mary Washington House,” on the morning of Thursday, Oct. 3. Read more. 

Campus Dining Survey

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From UMW Dining:

Hello Eagles!

Campus Dining is inviting everyone here at UMW to take their online Customer Satisfaction survey.  We want your input on all facets of our dining programs so that they may get a clear picture of your dining preferences and learn how they may better serve you. The survey is anonymous; your e-mail information will not be shared with any other entity; and you will not be contacted in response to you taking the survey.

When taking the survey you’ll be asked to indicate where you usually dine on campus: The Top of the UC or the Eagle’s Nest (Vocelli, Hissho Sushi, Bodacious Burgers and the Market).  Please answer the survey questions based on your experiences at the location you chose.

Thank you for your participation!  Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Link to the survey: https://sodexo.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0xsLYlZpIsdSmP3?mainNumber=97498

 

About the survey:

Thank you for your interest in completing the following survey. It will take approximately seven minutes to complete.   The information you provide will be used for research purposes only and will be kept confidential.   It will not be used to sell or market to you in any way, and you will not be contacted as a result of completing this survey. The information collected will assist us in enhancing the dining experience based on your feedback.  

 

Wellness Sector Explained: Physical

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The UMW President’s Council on Wellness would like to introduce one of the six dimensions on our Wellness Wheel: Physical. Being physically active is one of the more frequently thought of dimensions on wellness.  Physical Wellness is defined as “taking care of your body by partaking in healthy practices such as exercise, a nutritious diet, and getting adequate sleep. Acknowledging the importance of your physical surroundings and taking an active role in sustaining it.” Whether you are going for a walk or bike ride, playing a game of soccer with your kids, or doing yoga in the park, participating in any form of physical activity each day is a great way to stay active and healthy. Being physically active reduces the risk of various chronic diseases, helps you function better, and leads to higher quality of sleep. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, adults require around 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity a week. What can you today to increase your “physical wellness”? Check out the Campus Recreation website at https://campusrec.umw.edu/ for some great ideas.

Betsy Lewis Appointed Assistant Dean of Arts and Sciences

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Modern Languages and Literatures Professor and Chair Betsy Lewis was appointed Assistant Dean of Arts and Sciences.

Modern Languages and Literatures Professor and Chair Betsy Lewis was appointed Assistant Dean of Arts and Sciences.

A Message from the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. 

Dear colleagues,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Betsy Lewis as the Assistant Dean of Arts and Sciences.

In her new role, Dr. Lewis will take over much of the work associated with support of our undergraduate research programs, including management of URES 197, the undergraduate research grant budget, and the annual Research & Creativity Day event. In addition, Dr. Lewis will support the college on more enhanced assessment of our activities in these areas, and will focus on better communication and promotion of student accomplishments by building a healthy relationship with University Relations and the Advancement offices.

Author of two books and more than 20 articles, Dr. Lewis earned her Ph.D. in Spanish literature from the University of Virginia and has spoken at dozens of conferences and universities around the world on topics ranging from gender in 18th-century literature to digital pedagogy. At UMW, she has been active in a variety of leadership and service roles, establishing important relationships with offices around campus. She is currently serving her sixth year as chair of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures.

I would like to thank the search committee of Brooks Kuykendall, Lynn Lewis, and Margaret Ray, chaired by Associate Dean Grant Woodwell, for their valuable recommendations and insights during this process.

I personally look forward with eager anticipation to having Betsy as a colleague and partner in the work of the Dean’s office. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Betsy Lewis into her new position as Assistant Dean of CAS. She will formally assume this role in January 2020.

Sincerely,

Dr. Keith E. Mellinger, Dean
College of Arts and Sciences

 

 

Download Great Colleges to Work For Logo for Your Email Signature

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UMW has earned the 2019 ‘Great Colleges to Work For’ distinction. The recognition was announced today in a special insert in ‘The Chronicle of Higher Education.’

Mary Washington has been nationally recognized as a 2019 Great College to Work For. Let’s show our UMW pride! You may use the links below to download the UMW logo or the Great Colleges to work for logo. Then apply either to your email signature as shown in these samples.

 

 

 

UMW – http://advancement.umw.edu/universityrelations/files/2019/09/UMWlogo.email_.jpg

Great Colleges – http://advancement.umw.edu/universityrelations/files/2019/09/2019-Recognized-Logo.jpg

 

 

How to download the logos:

 

On a PC:

  1. Right-click the image.
  2. Choose the command “Save Picture As.”
  3. Use the “Save Picture” dialog box to find a location to save the image.
  4. Click the “Save” button.

On a Mac:

  1. Right-click (or control + click) on the image.
  2. Choose the command “Save Image As.”
  3. Use the “Save Image” dialog box to find a location to save the image.
  4. Click the “Save” button.

Employee Walking Challenge

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Mary Wash Moves

UMW Employee Walking Challenge
Brought to you by the President’s Council on Wellness, Campus Recreation and UMW Human Resources

Let’s show off how much Mary Wash Moves! Grab your walking shoes and get ready to rack up the steps this year with your UMW colleagues.

How It Works:

  • Dates: October 1-31, 2019 | April 1-30, 2020 | July 1-31, 2020
  • Teams: There are six teams and up to 25 people per team. You may sign up for your team by writing your name on the team color tab you choose on the official tracking document.
  • How to win: Log your total steps walked each day in the official tracking document. The team color with the highest step average between all active team mates (anyone who logged any steps on any day during the challenge) by the end of the challenge wins!
  • How to track your steps: Use a FitBit, Apple Watch, iPhone, or other step tracking device!
  • Prize: A free lunch sponsored by Human Resources and a free fitness/wellness experience sponsored by Campus Recreation!

If you have further questions, please email wellness@umw.edu.

Barnes & Noble Bookstore Grand Opening

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Barnes & Noble and University of Mary Washington invite you to celebrate the grand opening of the campus bookstore! On October 3, 2019, from 12-2 PM, join us in a variety of activities and chances to win prizes, and welcome bookstore manager Cameisha Chin. There will be:

  • A scavenger hunt
  • Prize drawings every half hour
  • Learning stations for textbook ordering through Faculty Enlight

Ms. Chin can be reached at cchin2@umw.edu.

 

Faculty Photos Scheduled for Oct. 8-9

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A message from the Office of Media and Public Relations. 

To All Full-Time Teaching and Administrative Faculty:

The Office of Media and Public Relations has arranged for a professional photographer to take head-and-shoulders photos of full-time teaching and administrative faculty members for use in university publications, websites and the news media, and for faculty use. The photo sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, October 8 and Wednesday, October 9 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Foyer.

All new faculty members and any faculty with no professional photo on file are encouraged to sit for a photo. Also, faculty members wishing to update current photos are welcome to make an appointment – updates should be made at least every five years. Time permitting, staff members and non-administrative faculty can schedule photo sessions; however these photos will be at departmental expense. Current photos can be viewed on the Directory website at http://www.umw.edu/directory/employee-type/faculty.

Each photography session should take five to 10 minutes. This is the only occasion when the photographer, Joe Parker, is scheduled to be at UMW during the 2019-20 academic year.

Please email two or three preferred times to Christie Pugh at cpugh@umw.edu or call 654-1055 by Tuesday, October 1 to schedule an appointment.

Thank you for helping us to complete this important project.

Into the Streets, Saturday, September 28

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COAR members make dog toys for sheltered pets at Into the Streets.

COAR members make dog toys for sheltered pets at Into the Streets.

Sponsored by COAR (Community Outreach and Resources) and the Center for Community Engagement, Into the Streets will be held on Saturday, September 28th, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. It provides the opportunity for new and returning students to get “Into the Streets.” Students can choose to participate in one of several community service projects at local agencies. Past projects have included building with Habitat for Humanity, yard work for the Fredericksburg community, walking dogs at the SPCA, making meals for the homeless shelter, doing crafts with the elderly at a local retirement facility, and helping out with Friends of the Rappahannock.

The event starts at the University Center Patio, and transportation will be provided to volunteer sites.