With all the end-of-the-year activities the past couple weeks – Devil-Goat Day, Eagle Awards, ASPIRE Week and more – inboxes are crowded. We’re bumping EagleEye back up to the top today for anyone who missed yesterday’s edition.
StartUp Pitch Competition Brings Buy-in to Student Entrepreneurs
UMW seniors (L to R, middle of frame) Helen Worku, Taylor Munger and Katie Reif pose with judges for placing first in the Eagle Innovation StartUp Pitch Competition. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
From cleaning services to apps that promote style and fitness, there’s no shortage of business ideas brewing in the minds of University of Mary Washington entrepreneurs. But the winners of last week’s Eagle Innovation StartUp Pitch Competition, presented by UMW’s College of Business (COB), gave judges something they could sink their teeth into … and sink into their teeth.
Mary Washington seniors Taylor Munger, Katie Reif and Helen Worku’s FlossyPik dental flosser won first place in the annual Shark Tank-like contest, along with $2,500 in prize money to take the tooth-cleaning tool to the next level. Its mobility-friendly design and the group’s plan to produce it in various colors with addable stickers – and apply for a patent – bring comfort and pizzazz to the business of flossing. And the judges praised its potential appeal in pediatric dentistry.
“I see entrepreneurship as more than just starting a business,” COB Dean Filiz Tabak said to kick off the event in the Hurley Convergence Center’s Digital Auditorium, where nine finalists’ ideas for new ventures took centerstage. “It’s about identifying opportunities; it’s about solving problems; and it’s about creating and adding value. It requires resilience, creativity and the courage to take risks.” Read more.
UMW Students Showcase Undergraduate Research at End-of-Semester Symposia
Carleigh Wood (left) and Delaney Humphrey, both biology majors on a pre-med track, present their research on myotonic dystrophy using fruit flies during the Jepson Science Center Fall Research Symposium. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Biology major Juliana Ramirez studied the University of Mary Washington’s trees, shrubs and herbs to predict possible effects of invasive species. Elementary education major Maria Werner created a picture book about a disorder that causes children to limit the types of foods they eat. Linguistics major Emma Sanford observed college students learning to speak Japanese to examine the role humor can play in teaching foreign languages.
These studies, all completed by UMW seniors, were among nearly 90 shared during an array of symposia held last week at Mary Washington, including the Honors Senior Capstone Fall Symposium, Jepson Science Center Fall Research Symposium and Columns Humanities and Social Sciences Symposium.
UMW students showcased compilations of work they’d completed throughout the past several months, often longer, with posters, presentations and capstone projects. The end-of-semester events followed close collaboration with faculty mentors, exploring everything from the role of norepinephrine in Alzheimer’s disease to the theatrical lighting of Baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
“Getting to engage in undergrad research is one of the best things I’ve gotten to do here,” said Delaney Humphrey, who presented findings about the muscle-wasting disorder myotonic dystrophy with fellow senior Carleigh Wood. “It gave me connections. It gave me a sense of place.” Read more.
UMW Expands Accelerated Master’s Degree Pathways With George Mason University
UMW Provost Timothy O’Donnell (left) and George Mason University Provost James Antony complete the official signing at a ceremony that reconfirmed a partnership between the two schools for an accelerated degree pathway program in computer science, engineering and law. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
The University of Mary Washington and George Mason University have renewed existing partnerships designed to accelerate student success and open the door to additional agreements between the two schools beginning as early as next year.
The signing ceremony reconfirming the universities’ accelerated degree pathway programs in computer science, engineering and law took place in the Dodd Auditorium foyer in UMW’s George Washington Hall, with provosts, deans and other administrators in attendance.
“A lot of work has gone into the efforts to make today what it is,” said UMW Provost Tim O’Donnell, who signed the official document along with George Mason Provost James Antony. “It’s really a prelude to more work to come, ultimately work that will be good work because it will benefit our students, our faculty and our programs.”
The UMW-Accelerated Mason Program graduate pathways permit dual enrollment, allowing Mary Washington students to combine undergraduate and graduate degree requirements, and reducing the time it takes to earn a master’s degree and unlock increased earning potential. They also allow participants to roll tuition and fees into existing financial aid packages, facilitate data sharing between the two schools and ultimately improve student outcomes at both universities. Read more.
UMW Career Fairs Showcase Undergraduate Talent for Employers
An accounting student speaks with a potential employer at a recent Business Career Pathways event hosted by UMW’s College of Business.
More than 400 students attended a pair of career fairs hosted by the University of Mary Washington throughout the past couple of weeks.
The Career and Internship Fair, hosted by the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) at the end of September, and the Business Career Pathways event, hosted by the College of Business (COB) last week, paired up-and-coming talent with area business owners looking for it. Both events showcased an array of industry representatives and employment opportunities, allowed employers to engage with college-degree-seeking candidates and offered chances for networking and résumé-sharing.
“I was so impressed by the number, caliber and diversity of the students who participated,” Banduri Chief Executive Officer Christine Goodwin said of the COB Business Career Pathways event, where she met students with potential to help boost her business. “I also loved that the composition of students was a great mix of technical and business disciplines.”
Part of Life After Mary Washington Week – which also included speed résumé reviews and professional headshot sessions – the biannual CCPD Career and Internship Fair drew more than 300 students from UMW, as well as Rappahannock and Germanna community colleges. The event, held in the Cedric Rucker University Center’s Chandler Ballroom, provided match-up opportunities between attendees and 45 Fredericksburg entities looking to hire, including SimVentions, Enterprise Mobility and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division. Read more.
MyTime Ready Project Update
The following message is from Finance:
The Ready system is now down and being prepped for production. Please do not log into MyTime Ready via the computer or the mobile application until October 7th.
Continue to use the current MyTime for recording time worked through October 6th.
Reminders:
- Do not enter any leave requests in the current MyTime system if the leave starts on or includes dates after October 7th. You will enter those in the new system after go-live.
- View Important October dates and tasks leading up to go live: https://adminfinance.umw.edu/tess/my-time-training-and-information/
View ZOOM and HCC Lab Go Live Support
- Go Live support is offered on October 7th in the HCC 130 from 9am to 4pm, walk in at anytime
- ZOOM support sessions are offered beginning Tuesday, October 8th
- If you missed training that was held in the HCC or by Zoom we encourage you to review the Zoom sessions and Quick Guides and Videos.
If you have questions please email payroll@umw.edu
Fall Dining Survey Now Open through Oct. 11
The following message is from UMW Dining:
Students, Faculty and Staff:
Let your voices be heard, and get a chance to win a $100 Visa Card!
University Dining is seeking feedback regarding your fall 2024 dining experiences in the Restaurants at the Top of the Cedric Rucker University Center and our Panera Bread Cafe. This is an opportunity to share your views about food quality, presentation, customer service, theme events, menu variety, and every other aspect of these dining programs. The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete, and your responses are confidential. Your feedback helps us determine future program changes and enhancements, with the goal of providing everyone with exceptional dining experiences.
Your responses will not be used to sell or market to you in any way. Unless you ask to be in the drawing for the $100 Visa Card, you will not be contacted as a result of completing the survey. For the survey to be truly representative of the views of our campus community, hundreds of responses are needed! Please let us hear your voice by taking this short DINING SURVEY before closing date of October 11th.
Thank you!
Your University Dining Team
dining@umw.edu
University Budget Advisory Committee Meeting, Sept. 20
The University Budget Advisory Committee (UBAC) works in advisory fashion with the Provost and Chief Academic Officer (CAO), the Vice President for Administration and Finance (CFO), the Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement on short- and long-term University budget priorities. Each fall semester UBAC communicates their priorities on future budgets to the CFO, CAO, and the UFC in a report due on December 1.
UBAC meets monthly and invites representatives of departments or areas that would like advocacy on their behalf to request a meeting using this form. Guests will be scheduled first come, first serve for meetings held on 9/20, 10/4, 11/15 from 12:00-1:00 PM via Zoom. Requests that cannot be accommodated in the same month will be scheduled for the next month. More information about UBAC and requesting a meeting can be found here.
For any questions, contact:
Drew Delaney, Chair – University Budget Advisory Committee
Senior Lecturer – Athletics, Health, and Physical Education
Head Coach, Men’s Lacrosse
540.654.1883 (office)
Jenkins Serves as Moderator on Career Solutions Panel
Director of Rappahannock Work and Learn Collaborative, Antoinette Carter Jenkins
Antoinette Jenkins, director of the Rappahannock Work and Learn Collaborative, served as moderator at the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce’s Workforce Now forum, asking panelists questions on how business and education leaders can strengthen partnerships and develop and retain a future workforce. Read more on the Fredericksburg Free Press.
Free Professional Portraits for Students, Sept. 24
UMW Juniors, Seniors, and Grad Students…Come get a professional portrait!
Do you need to upgrade your profile pic? Does your current photo include sunglasses, a beverage, or you sporting a hoodie? Make a standout impression on employers, internship selection committees, and grad schools with a professional headshot.
Dress to impress and swing by the Cedric Rucker University Center for a free professional photo, courtesy of the UMW Alumni Association in partnership with the Center for Career and Professional Development.
Tuesday, September 24
1-4 p.m.
Cedric Rucker University Center
Chandler Ballroom
Pre-registration is required, as spaces are limited. Click the button below to register and choose a time slot.
We look forward to seeing you there!