Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, offered a lecture “US Rebalancing to Asia and the China Challenge,” at the International Chinese Language Program at National Taiwan University in Taipei on April 24.
Larus Participates in World Book Day
Elizabeth Larus, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, read excerpts from To Kill a Mockingbird in celebration of the UNESCO World Book Day, April 18 at the National Central Library, Taipei, Taiwan.
Greenlaw Honored by OpenStaxCollege
Steven A. Greenlaw was recently honored when OpenStaxCollege, an affiliate of Rice University in Houston, named a conference room after him. OpenStax is the preeminent publisher of free, open source textbooks for introductory college courses. They currently have introductory texts in Physics, Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, Statistics, Precalculus, U.S. History, Psychology and Economics. By the end of 2015, they expect to have 25 books.
Greenlaw was one of their first authors. He recently conducted a statistical analysis comparing the use of OpenStax’ economics text against the commercial text, and found there to be no statistical difference in student learning in his course. If you teach one of these introductory courses, you might want to save your students money and consider adopting an OpenStax or other open text.
What’s New in Human Resources
Please visit the Human Resources website “What’s New” for important information regarding:
- 2015 Health Insurance Open Enrollment and Flexible Spending ( May 1st to May 22nd)
- Special enrollment for Legal Resources
- Service award recipients
- Special bookstore discounts for Staff Appreciation Day
Remember, UMW will be closed on Staff Appreciation Day, Monday, May 11. Enjoy your time off with family and friends.
Faculty/Staff Mixer, May 14
S.A.C. will host a faculty and staff mixer on Thursday, May 14 from 4-6 p.m. at the Underground. Come let your hair down and relax after another successful academic year at UMW. Light snacks will be available as well as a cash bar with beer, wine, soda and water.
Stress Free Zone Faculty/Staff Massage Hour, April 29
Stress Free Zone is an event put on by the Office of Student Activities and Engagement to help reduce the stress level of students during exams by offering free massages, snacks, therapy dogs to pet, and crafts/coloring pages.
This time we are offering a way for Faculty/Staff to take advantage of the offerings as well! Next Monday, April 27 through Wednesday, April 29 there will be free massages available on the first floor of the ITCC from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. On Wednesday, April 29 there will be an hour from 1:30 – 2:30 reserved for just faculty and staff to take advantage of this! You are all welcome to come for a massage at any time during all hours but there will also be that one hour dedicated just for our faculty and staff.
Gately to Premiere Two Compositions
Doug Gately will be Artist-Composer in Residence in Kill Devil Hills, N.C. on April 27 and 28. He will perform and premiere two of his Concert Band compositions. Doug will be working with UMW Alumnus and Band Director, Hollie Writtenberry Lewis.
Long Performs Composition
Professor of Music David Long’s band piece, “Their Finest Hour” will be performed by the Mid-Atlantic Wind Symphony on Sunday, April 26, at 7: 30 p.m.
The performance will take place at the Susan & Donald Reed Theater of Fredericksburg Academy. The Mid-Atlantic Wind Symphony is conducted by Aaron Noe.
Health Insurance and Flexible Spending Open Enrollment – May 1- 22
2015 Health Insurance and Flexible Spending Open Enrollment is Friday, May 1, to Friday, May 22, 2015. The Open Enrollment link can be found here.
The Spotlight Benefits newsletter will be mailed to your home address beginning this weekend. In addition, it will be sent electronically to your e-mail. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 540/654-1210 or 540/654-1046 if you have any questions.
Open-Door Policy
Ana Chichester is passionate about teaching.