Students work to produce a literary journal with a lasting legacy.
COB Spring Break Trip to India
University of Mary Washington students and Smita Jain Oxford, senior lecturer for the College of Business, spent spring break in India.
Smita Jain Oxford, senior lecturer for the College of Business, led a group of students on a spring break trip to India as part of her business communication course.
“Our overarching goal was to study how five target companies employed business communication strategies in their particular industries and for their specific audiences. Of course, that is the textbook goal. With a course such as this one, the other major goal is one of immersion, reflection, and growth,” said Oxford. “Taking students to a culture so different from any they have experienced was both eye opening and awe inspiring for them.”
Participants also visited the Taj Mahal and Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum.
“The students noted the huge chasm between wealth and poverty in India,” said Oxford. “They understood why the country is one of extremes and why that social norm and the chaos it brings with it works for the people of India; and, finally, and maybe, primarily, they understood that poverty does not equate to laziness, crime, or violence — as is often the belief — but, rather, to industry, ambition, and strength.”
This was one of five faculty-led study abroad trips during spring break. To find out more, visit the Center for International Education.
Multicultural Fair, April 12
The 2014 Multicultural Fair will be on Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the UMW Fredericksburg Campus.
Join the James Farmer Multicultural Center for the annual Multicultural Fair on Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Fredericksburg campus rain or shine.
The Multicultural Fair is one of the largest, most anticipated events hosted at the University of Mary Washington and has entertained thousands of UMW and Fredericksburg community members for nearly 25 years. This year, the fair will feature over 30 diverse performances, over 50 multicultural vendors, delicious ethnic and festival foods and children’s activities. For additional information, contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at 540-654-1044
540-654-1044, or go to http://students.umw.edu/multicultural/programs/multicultural-fair/.
Farnsworth Presents at Virginia Festival of the Book
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently gave a talk on his new co-authored book, “The Global President: International Media and the U.S. Government,” at the 20th Annual Virginia Festival of the Book at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. The Virginia Festival of the Book is the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities’ annual, five-day celebration of books, authors and reading.
Cropp to Participate in NACADA Conference
Janet Cropp, assistant dean of advising services, will serve as a proposal reader for the National Academic Advising Association’s (NACADA) 38th annual conference to be held in Minneapolis, Minn. in October 2014. Cropp will read proposals for the following two groups: The Advising Adult Learners Commission and the Advising Business Majors Commission.
2014 Orientation Information
For the second year, UMW will host six two-day orientation sessions for new students in June. The dates are:
- June 18-19
- June 19-20
- June 23-24
- June 24-25
- June 25-26
- June 26-27.
There will also be three one-day transfer student orientations. Those dates are:
- August 7
- August 8
- August 11
Informational Meetings:
To ensure that everyone is fully informed and has a chance to ask questions, two open meetings will be provided to the UMW community. Come to learn more!
- April 14 (4-5 p.m., Link 301)
- April 15 (10-11 a.m., Lee 412)
Volunteer Opportunities:
There are many opportunities for volunteers to assist with Orientation. Volunteers are vital to the success of the program! Look for an email soon with instructions on how to volunteer.
Thank you to all the faculty and staff leadership who are collaborating to create the schedule and program content.
For more information about these programs and services, please contact Liz Bradley, orientation coordinator, at ebradley@umw.edu.
University Center Furniture Showcase, March 25
UMW is sponsoring a University Center Furniture Showcase on March 25 in Lee 411.
You are invited to view samples of the furniture selections for the new University Center. We’ve set aside an open time period on Tuesday, March 25, from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. for any interested UMW community members to view and comment on the furniture choices.
We would appreciate your opinion/comments. There will be Stantec representatives and comment cards present in the room, or you are welcome to email your comments to us.
Contact: Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Phone: 540-654-1062540-654-1062
UMW Debate Wins National Championship
University of Mary Washington Debate Team seniors Colin McElhinny and Thomas Pacheco talked their way to the top on March 16 when they won the American Debate Association National Championship at Liberty University. Pacheco received The Julia Burke Award for Character and Excellence in American Debate Association Policy Debate.
“UMW Debate had a great weekend – winning the championship and the Burke Award speaks volumes about the quality of our squad effort,” said Judd D. Kimball, assistant debate coach at UMW. “We are very pleased to bring home a national championship in debate to UMW.”
McElhinny and Pacheco finished as the second seed after the preliminary rounds, with five wins and one loss to the defending champion and top seed Wake Forest University. Throughout the preliminary rounds, their opponents included teams from Liberty, George Mason University and University of Houston. In the elimination rounds, they debated Vanderbilt in the quarters and University of Minnesota in the semifinals. In the final round, they had a rematch with Wake Forest, and successfully defeated them on a unanimous decision. Pacheco was recognized as the competition’s fifth-place speaker and McElhinny ranked third.
The Burke award is given to a student whose qualities include “excellence in and passion for debate, a commitment to helping others, love and respect for the American Debate Association policy debate community and dedication to maintaining friendships despite the pressures of competition.” Students are nominated by coaches and peers, with the winner determined by a ballot of the students competing at the tournament.
The American Debate Association was founded in 1986, and this was the 27th year it has held a national tournament. This is the second American Debate Association National Championship title for UMW. The team also won the title in 2009.
UMW Debate concludes its regular competitive season at the National Debate Tournament at Indiana University next week, followed by multiple public debate competitions throughout the region. Follow @UMWDebate on twitter for the latest updates.
Year of Japan Lecture, March 24
Sheila A. Smith
Join the Leidecker Center for Asian Studies and the Department of Classics, Philosophy and Religion for a lecture by Sheila A. Smith on Monday, March 24 at 4 p.m. in Trinkle 201. Smith, who will discuss “Risk Reduction in the East China Sea,” is a senior fellow for Japan studies for the Council on Foreign Relations.
Arab Culture Night, March 27
Join the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, Arabic Language Club, and Students Educating and Empowering Diversity for the fourth annual Arab Culture Night on Thursday, March 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Anderson Center.
The event features an Arab fashion show, cultural exhibit, Arab folk dancing, live music and Middle Eastern cuisine. Admission is $1 and children under 12 are free. For more information, email arabicatumw@gmail.com