December 22, 2024

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Major League Soccer Executive Announced as UMW’s 2024 Commencement Speaker

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Major League Soccer (MLS) executive Mark McClure ’96, vice president, technical operations, will be on his college turf when he returns to the University of Mary Washington as the 2024 Commencement speaker. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 11, beginning at 9 a.m. on Ball Circle, rain or shine. Tickets are not needed for the in-person event, and it’s also streamed online, something in which McClure is an expert.

For more than a decade, he has worked to bring sports fans to Major League Soccer via digital strategy and content and now manages a team that helps broadcast matches around the world on MLS’ streaming services on Apple TV. It’s a broad sports career that has focused on fans, players and their stories, something apt for the English major – McClure holds a B.A. in English from Mary Washington – who followed his love of reading and writing through epic college courses, with time for extra courses in classics and art history and teaching himself coding in the computer labs. Read more.

Thaden and Orlando Preview Mary Wash Day, Reunion Weekend on ‘Town Talk’

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Mark Thaden and Shelby Orlando

Mark Thaden and Shelby Orlando

Executive Director of Alumni Engagement Mark Thaden and Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando preview Mary Wash Day on April 4 and Reunion Weekend May 30-June 2 on WFVA Radio’s ‘Town Talk.’ “Our goals are 2,500 gifts, including 1,000 alumni donors and 250 first-time donors,” said Shelby Orlando. “The goal really is to celebrate milestone reunions, so we start at the 10th and go all the way out to the 65th reunion and beyond. The goal is to create an immersive experience where they get to relive their college days, experience campus, connect with faculty and connect with their former classmates,” said Mark Thaden. Listen to the episode. 

UMW Extends Decision Day to June 1

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The University of Mary Washington has extended the enrollment deadline for admitted first-year undergraduate students to June 1, 2024, allowing an additional month for students and families to review financial aid. UMW has offered additional flexibility for incoming students to make their decision to enroll due to numerous delays in the filing and reporting process for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from the U.S. Department of Education.

“We appreciate the patience of our admitted students and their supporters as we navigate this unprecedented situation,” said Dean of Admissions and Associate Vice President Melissa Yakabouski. “It is our goal to provide the best information to our students regarding need-based assistance so they are confident in choosing UMW for their four years of undergraduate education. We understand that students may need time to review, ask questions and make confirming visits once awarding begins, and we want to provide the opportunity to do all of these things. We encourage any student with financial concerns to connect with their UMW admissions or financial aid counselor to have a personal conversation.” Read more.

Spencer Speaks on the Preservation Work of J.J. Ballentine

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Associate Professor of Historic Preservation Michael Spencer

J.J. Ballentine was the first president of the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. and according to a 2016 article about him by Michael Spencer, an associate professor of Historic Preservation at the University of Mary Washington, he worked to preserve the City’s historic buildings by “implementing a revolving fund program that purchased properties beginning with the 500 block of Caroline Street with the intent to preserve them.” Read more.

UMW Receives $200,000 in V-TOP Grants for Expanding Internships

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The University of Mary Washington has received $200,000 in Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) grants to enhance internship and work-based learning opportunities.

“There’s no substitute for a quality internship as part of the undergraduate experience,” said UMW Provost Timothy O’Donnell. “We are so pleased to have increased support to make this a reality for more UMW students.”

A combination of a pair of $100,000 grants – the Student Internship Support Grant and the Internship Data Collection Grant – the funds bolster an effort already in progress to expand work-based learning at Mary Washington. Read more.

UMW Faculty Members Receive VIVA Open Grant Awards

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A trio of UMW faculty members has received VIVA Open Grants for adopting, adapting and creating open and affordable course materials from the Virtual Library of Virginia that can be made available to students at little or no cost. These grants work to save students money on expensive textbooks and help professors enhance the knowledge and learning experiences they’re able to offer through their courses.

College of Business Assistant Professor Samira Fallah, Professor of Computer Science Stephen Davies and Associate Professor of Communication Adria Goldman received 2023 awards that together represent more than $72,000 in student cost avoidance throughout a five-year period. Read more.

Parker Teaches the Ins and Outs of Ground Penetrating Radar to Volunteers in Search of Mary Washington’s Final Resting Place

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Assistant Professor and Archaeology Director Katherine Parker

Historians and officials with Washington Heritage Museums, which own the monument site along Washington Avenue, don’t know the precise location of Mary Ball Washington’s grave. Washington Heritage Museums is working with the University of Mary Washington’s Department of Historic Preservation to understand what lies beneath. Read more. 

Frankel Explains Threats Posed by Cancer-Causing Contaminants in Major Waterways

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Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences Tyler Frankel

Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences Tyler Frankel

According to the study’s lead author, Tyler Frankel, who was quoted in Phys.org, coal ash contaminants increase in concentration as they work their way up through the food web, threatening a number of predatory fish and birds. “These waterways serve as important routes for several migratory fish species and sensitive nursery habitats for various endemic species,” Frankel said, per Phys.org. “Our work highlights the importance of considering this exposure pathway in conservation strategies.” Read more.

Thaxter Speaks on the Conflation of Self-ish vs. Self-care

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Adjunct Professor of Psychology Peter Thaxter

“There are a number of different ways of thinking about selfishness and where those messages come from,” said Adjunct Professor of Psychology Peter Thaxter. “I think sometimes that message on self-ish vs. self-care or self-preservation often can get misconstrued or conflated based on the messaging in our society.” Read more.

 

Cooperman Speaks on ‘Election Year Shaped by Reproductive Rights’

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Professor and Chair of Political Science Rosalyn Cooperman

A rematch — this time with abortion at the forefront (Reckon News)

“I don’t know that there’s any real fidelity to any stance on an issue unless it’s perceived to be useful — abortion being one of a very long list,” said Rosalyn Cooperman, who studies Republican candidates and political leaders at the University of Mary Washington. “If you look at what he has said over time, it is what is politically expedient.” Read more.