From Torre Meringolo, Vice President for Advancement and University Relations:

In keeping with higher education best practices, the UMW Visual Identity Standards Committee has conducted extensive research and has unanimously approved a campus-wide email signature standard. It is now a part of the University’s Brand Standards & Visual Identity Toolkit (www.umw.edu/documents/document/umw-brand-standards).

Page 30 of the toolkit outlines the details: UMW Email Standards

As one of the most frequently used forms of communication, email messages are an official reflection of the University. Because of the wide variety of formats used by faculty and staff, UMW has adopted a standardized signature format to help reinforce the University’s brand identity, as well as convey important contact information. We have also taken into account federal accessibility regulations.

My signature below reflects the new standard. You will see there are some options, such as adding physical addresses and social media links, if you need them.

Thanks, and let me know if you have questions about the committee’s decision.

Torre Meringolo
Vice President for Advancement and University Relations

Three University of Mary Washington senior political science and international affairs majors will be presenting scholarly research reports at a national research conference in Washington on Feb. 14. The Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Political Science Research Conference is sponsored by Pi Sigma Alpha, the 600-chapter national political science honor society.

Katherine Johnson is a senior at the University of Mary Washington where she is studying political science and sociology. Her paper is entitled: “Venturing into a Minefield: Employer Practices in a Post Burwell v. Hobby Lobby State.”

Johnson hopes to enter law school in the fall with a focus on constitutional and civil rights law. She is from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and she graduated from Girls Preparatory School.

Paige McKinsey is a senior at the University of Mary Washington where she is a double major in Women and Gender Studies and International Affairs.  Her paper is entitled, “Finding Meaning in Difference; Girls’ education initiatives in Kenya from the UN and NGOs.”

McKinsey is the current President of the feminist club at UMW where she has worked with students, faculty, and administration to raise awareness and bring about change on campus. In June, McKinsey will leave for Togo where she will serve as a Community Health and Malaria Prevention volunteer with the Peace Corps. She is from Effort, Pennsylvania and she graduated from Pleasant Valley High School.

Benjamin Hermerding is a senior at the University of Mary Washington where he is studying political science. His paper is entitled, “The Effect of Subjective Class on Political Beliefs in Virginia.”

Ben is an Alvey Scholar at UMW and is a research assistant with the UMW Center for Leadership and Media Studies. He is from Brainerd, Minnesota, and graduated from Brainerd Senior High School.

Pi Sigma Alpha has more than 600 chapters in the U.S. Over the past 20 years, Mary Washington’s political science and international affairs students have won nine national writing awards from the honor society, more than any other college or university in the nation.

The Office of Financial Aid at the University of Mary Washington will host two ‘Free FAFSA Completion Workshops for 2015-16’ for students and their parents.

The workshops are “hands on” to assist students in the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Financial aid professionals from the university will be on site to answer questions. These workshops will be held at the University in Trinkle Hall, basement lab, on Saturday, Feb. 14at 10 a.m., and in Combs Hall, Room 349, on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m.  Space is limited in the computer lab so it is requested that the student and only ONE parent attend.

Parents and students must register for these events through the University of Mary Washington financial aid website at  http://adminfinance.umw.edu/financialaid/2015/01/22/fafsa-completion-workshops-for-2015-2016-students-and-families.