Assistant Professor of Political Science Emile Lester was featured on the State of Belief radio show on Oct. 11 speaking about problematic school curricula. Listen to the show at stateofbelief.com.
Humphrey and Alum Present at Feast on Good Conference
Shawn Humphrey (left) and Jon Pack ’95 presented at the Feast on Good Conference, Oct. 11.
Shawn Humphrey, associate professor of economics, presented at the Feast on Good Conference in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, Oct. 11. His seminar, entitled Tribal Teaching: Rewild Your Students, was one of several presented throughout the weekend that focused on discussions about global issues. In addition, UMW Alum Jon Pack ’95 gave a talk during the conference. He co-presented with Gary Hustwit about Helvetica, The Olympic City.
Aminrazavi Publishes Book
SUNY Press recently published “Sufism and American Literary Masters” edited by
Mehdi Aminrazavi, professor of Philosophy and Religion.
Here is the forward by Jacob Needleman:
“This book reveals the rich, but generally unknown, influence of Sufism on nineteenth- and early twentieth-century American literature. The translation of Persian poets such as Hafiz and Sa’di into English and the ongoing popularity of Omar Khayyam offered intriguing new spiritual perspectives to some of the major American literary figures. As editor Mehdi Aminrazavi notes, these Sufi influences have often been subsumed into a notion of “Eastern,” chiefly Indian, thought and not acknowledged as having Islamic roots. This work pays considerable attention to two giants of American literature, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Walt Whitman, who found much inspiration from the Sufi ideas they encountered. Other canonical figures are also discussed, including Mark Twain, Herman Melville, Henry David Thoreau, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, along with literary contemporaries who are lesser known today, such as Paschal Beverly Randolph, Thomas Lake Harris, and Lawrence Oliphant.”
Staff Advisory Council Nominations, Elections
S.A.C. Nominations Due Monday, Oct. 27
The Staff Advisory Council is currently accepting nomination for new members. Staff members can nominate themselves or others through Monday, Oct. 27. Please be sure to check your email for the nomination form. Paper nomination forms are available at the James Monroe Museum, Belmont, Facilities and Housekeeping.
Elections Tuesday, Nov. 4 – Monday, Nov. 17
Election Results Announced Thursday, Nov. 20
CVC/Disney Drawing Deadline Extended!
Disney Tickets/Online Giving
The IT server that handles the Employee Direct Online CVC giving is now back up. CVC has extended the deadline for online giving to 3 p.m. on Oct. 16. Make your donation today to qualify for the drawing.
Aminrazavi Featured on the Cover of St. Joseph’s College Magazine
Medhi Aminrazavi, professor of classics, philosophy and religion on the cover of St. Joseph’s College Magazine
Mehdi Aminrazavi, professor of classics, philosophy and religion, was featured on the cover of St. Joseph’s College Magazine after serving as the Khatib Chair in Comparative Religious Studies at St. Joseph College for the past year. As part of this position, Aminrazavi gave a weekly lecture series on Shi’ism in Iran with two keynote presentations.
Parking Notice — Simpson and Jepson Paving Work
The following message is from Facilities Services:
Simpson Library and Jepson Science Center Parking Notice – Oct. 11
Use of the Simpson Library and Jepson Science Center parking lots will be disrupted on Saturday, Oct. 11, due to asphalt work. Sunday, Oct. 12, will serve as a rain date. Operations will begin with the Simpson lot. This lot will take approximately four hours. Once the paving is completed the parking lot will reopen except for the first spaces along the back of the library building. These will remain closed until Monday. ITCC loading dock access will be severely limited during the operations.
The Jepson Science Center loading dock and a portion of the parking spaces will be closed during paving operations. The loading dock will remain closed until Monday; parking will open as soon as the paving is completed.
We apologize for the temporary inconvenience and appreciate your patience while we make necessary repairs. Questions should be directed to Richard Blair, Landscape and Grounds Manager, at rblair@umw.edu.
1st Congressional District Debate, Oct. 6
The University of Mary Washington will host the 1st Congressional District Debate on Monday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium.
The debate will present Republican Rep. Rob Wittman, who has held the seat since 2007, Democratic challenger Norm Mosher and Independent challenger Gail Parker. The 1st District includes more than 15 counties and includes parts of Stafford, Spotsylvania, and the city of Fredericksburg. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information about the debate, contact Stephen Farnsworth at sfarnswo@umw.edu.
Budget Reduction Strategies
To the campus community:
The development of a comprehensive set of strategies to address the university’s budget shortfall is nearing completion. In general, the approach includes the identification of university-wide savings that can be taken right off the top and then allocating the balance of the reduction requirement across the various divisions with the aim of protecting academic and student service programs.
In terms of university-wide actions, two strategies have been approved for implementation. First, we are instituting a temporary suspension of in-band salary adjustments, as well as bonuses for attaining certificates, licenses, and degrees.
Second, we are suspending the tuition assistance program beginning with the spring 2015 semester. Any tuition assistance previously approved for the fall 2014 semester remains in place.
I wanted to let you know of these suspensions as soon as possible so that you can adjust your plans and expectations.
I know these benefits have become a part of the culture of UMW. Please be assured that these are viewed as short-term actions and that we look forward to restoring them in the future.
Should you have any questions about these programs, please contact the Office of Human Resources.
Sincerely,
Rick Pearce
Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars, Oct. 11
The second annual Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars is on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium, followed by a reception under the stars. The event raises money for a performing arts scholarship at the University of Mary Washington and features a wide variety of local “celebrities.”
Tickets are on sale now at http://fredericksburgstars.umw.edu for $85, plus a $5 processing fee, of which $75 is tax deductible. Seats are selected and reserved at the time of purchase. For more information, contact (540) 654-1065.