April 26, 2025

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Statewide Awards Give UMW High Marks for Teacher Education

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Three UMW College of Education members received awards for their exceptional efforts in teaching. Pictured (from left) are Grace Sylvia, who is pursuing a Master of Education degree; Associate Professor of Education Christy Irish; and Sarah Batchelor, who graduated in December 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

Pictured (from left) are Grace Sylvia, who is pursuing a Master of Education degree; Associate Professor of Education Christy Irish; and Sarah Batchelor, who graduated in December 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

When it comes to excellence in teaching, the University of Mary Washington was recently honored for A+ achievement by the Virginia Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators (VACTE).

Three UMW College of Education members received awards for their exceptional efforts. Grace Sylvia, who is pursuing a Master of Education degree, took Outstanding Student in a Virginia Advance Preparation Program; Sarah Batchelor ’24 accepted Outstanding Student in a Virginia Licensure Program and Associate Professor of Education Christy Irish won the Faculty Impact Award.

VACTE bestowed the honors at its spring conference held in early April at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland. From pre-service through veteran teachers, VACTE is a key voice for development and support in the teaching profession at the local, state and national levels.

“UMW is beyond proud that Sarah and Grace have been recognized by VACTE,” Irish said of her fellow award-winners. “They have excelled in their academics at Mary Washington, but moreover, they are now excelling as new teachers in the community. The College of Education looks forward to continuing to work side-by-side with them as they lead students in their own classrooms.” Read more.

Money Lists UMW Among Best MBA Programs for Quality and Value

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UMW’s Woodard Hall is home to the College of Business. Photo by Norm Shafer.

The University of Mary Washington is recognized among the “Best Graduate Schools in America” by Money, earning a spot as one of 33 colleges nationwide in the “Best MBA Programs for Your Money” category for 2025.

Money’s annual ranking of post-baccalaureate programs helps students and professionals look at graduate schools through the lens of quality and value. The publication’s analysis considered quality and costs, with a focus on annual tuition and fees, debt burdens, employment rates and recent graduate salaries.

Mary Washington made the list for its master’s in business administration (MBA) program, earning four stars on a five-star scale. UMW was one of four Virginia colleges on the MBA list, all with four-star ratings. Other Virginia schools on Money’s list were James Madison University, Longwood University and the University of Virginia.

“This recognition is a powerful affirmation of the exceptional value and quality we deliver to our MBA students,” said UMW College of Business Dean Filiz Tabak. “It highlights our commitment to providing a rigorous, relevant and affordable graduate business education.” Read more. 

UMW Honors Students Sweep Top ‘Scholar of the Year’ Awards in Two States

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'Scholar of the Year' award winners Rylee Vann and Daphne Bobb (center) pose with fellow UMW Honors students at the Virginias Collegiate Honors Council (VCHC) Conference.

‘Scholar of the Year’ award winners Rylee Vann and Daphne Bobb (center) pose with fellow UMW Honors students at the Virginias Collegiate Honors Council (VCHC) Conference.

University of Mary Washington senior Rylie Vann has poured plenty of passion into a double major, three capstone projects and an array of campus involvement. But a recent accolade took the peer mentor and campus radio deejay – set to earn degrees next month in communication and digital studies, as well as in theatre – to new heights.

“I got more emotional than I expected,” said Vann, who was named Scholar of the Year at last weekend’s 2025 Virginias Collegiate Honors Council (VCHC) Conference. “I hadn’t realized how much receiving this award meant to me until I was giving my acceptance speech. I felt honored to represent UMW.”

She and first-year Mary Washington student Daphne Bobb swept the top honors at the conference, held April 4 and 5 at Virginia State University in Petersburg. Bobb was named Emerging Scholar of the Year, marking the first time both awards went to students from the same institution. The accolades, each including a $500 cash prize, were reserved for the best and brightest honors students in Virginia and West Virginia who exemplify outstanding scholarship, integrity and leadership.

“These students embody the very spirit of our program – enthusiasm, determination and a drive to make a difference,” said UMW Honors Program Director Kelli Slunt, who’s also a professor of chemistry. “It was a privilege to see two of our own recognized for their outstanding contributions and commitment to enhancing their education.” Read more.

Global Artistry Shines at Mary Washington’s 35th Annual Multicultural Fair

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UMW dance group performs at the Multicultural Fair this past weekend on one of three main stages spread throughout the Fredericksburg campus.

UMW dance group performs at the Multicultural Fair this past weekend on one of three main stages spread throughout the Fredericksburg campus.

Over 20 different musical groups, dance troupes and cultural acts took the stage at the University of Mary Washington’s Multicultural Fair this past weekend, showcasing their talents across three main stages spread throughout the Fredericksburg campus.

Among the largest events the University hosts each year, the fair attracted thousands of attendees. Stretching as far as the eye could see along Campus Walk and Ball Circle – performers, vendors, information tables, food trucks and children’s activities were on display.

Now in its 35th year, the event was presented by the University’s James Farmer Multicultural Center (JFMC), in close collaboration with UMW student organizations, campus partners, faculty and staff, and the Fredericksburg community. The event was free and open to the public with food and crafts available for purchase.

“It’s wonderful each year to welcome such amazing international talent and craftsmanship to the beautiful UMW campus,” said JFMC Director Marion Sanford. “We are excited, not just about the variety of ethnic vendors and performers, but to continue our long tradition of bringing a global experience close to home.” Read more.

UMW Students Trade Textbooks for Tool Belts Over Spring Break

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The UMW team poses with a new homeowner and Habitat for Humanity representatives in front of the house they helped build. (L-R: a Habitat for Humanity rep, Veda Salazar, Ian Frazier, Aloysious Kabonge, Chloe Jones, Paris Jones, the new homeowner, Walter Parks, Lindsey Coates-Crawford, Alton Guinn, Faye McKenzie, and Habitat Volunteer Coordinator April Elswick).

The UMW team poses with a new homeowner in front of the house they helped build her. (L-R: Veda Salazar, Ian Frazier, Aloysious Kabonge, Chloe Jones, Paris Jones, the new homeowner, Walter Parks, UMW Advisor Lindsey Coates-Crawford, Alton Guinn, Faye McKenzie).

University of Mary Washington students swapped their textbooks and schoolwork for hammers, nails and paintbrushes this spring break, heading to Goose Creek, South Carolina.

The UMW Alternative Service Break (ASB) trip was part of Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge, which calls on college students nationwide to volunteer over spring break to support the non-profit’s mission to build, rehabilitate and repair homes in local communities and around the world.

Packed with activities aimed at improving substandard housing and aiding impoverished areas, the week-long trip began with work at the Habitat ReStore donation center and ended with handing a set of keys to a new homeowner.

“These students have heart, and we need more of that in the world,” said Lindsey Coates-Crawford ’18, public programs coordinator for UMW’s James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, who served as trip advisor. “Their level of commitment and love for the cause was inspiring. When work was suspended one day due to severe weather, they were genuinely disappointed they couldn’t continue. I know this week will stick with us forever.” Read more.

UMW Art Professor Sculpts Student Bonds, Quarter-Century Career

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UMW Professor Emerita of Art Carole Garmon with former students, mostly alumni, who are featured in the art exhibit “The Class” housed in the duPont Gallery through March 23. Photo by Suzanne Rossi.

UMW Professor Emerita of Art Carole Garmon with former students, mostly alumni, who are featured in the art exhibit “The Class” housed in the duPont Gallery through March 23. Photo by Suzanne Rossi.

An oversized aquamarine sculpture crafted using sun hats, silk and wood. Black and white ink drawings on bristol board. An elaborate gown made entirely from pantyhose. This is just a small sampling of the artwork inspired by University of Mary Washington Professor Emerita of Art Carole Garmon by her former students, mostly alumni.

The exhibit, called “The Class: If You’re Asking the Question, You Already Know the Answer,” which runs through March 23, showcases the quarter-century career of Garmon at UMW. Housed in the University’s duPont Gallery, it features the work of 24 artists, most of whom shaped their art beside her in Melchers Hall. An array of sculpture is highlighted, including object, performance, digital and conceptual works.

“This exhibition represents all the students who have spent time in Melchers searching for their voices and learning how to communicate their ideas through visual language,” said Garmon. “It represents those late nights in the studio working through obstacle after obstacle, dancing to music for inspiration and hiding things in the studio for me to find later.”

Garmon, who retired in 2024, will return to the gallery on Thursday, March 13, at 5 p.m. – not to find comedic treasures stashed by students with whom she bonded – but to give a talk reflecting on her time teaching at UMW. She’ll discuss “the most rewarding aspects of mentoring and guiding young artists and tell the stories behind the exhibition,” she said. Read more.

Science Olympiad at UMW Provides Winning Formula for STEM Students

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Students from Oakcrest School in Vienna participate in the “Tower” event during the Virginia Science Olympiad (VASO) competition held on Mary Washington’s campus. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Students from Oakcrest School in Vienna participate in the Virginia Science Olympiad (VASO) competition held on UMW’s campus. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Hundreds of young students from across the state descended on the University of Mary Washington campus last Saturday to test their skills in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) as part of a Virginia Science Olympiad (VASO) competition.

The event brought together “Olympians” from third grade through high school to showcase their STEM skills in practical and creative ways – such as the “Bungee Drop,” where participants designed elastic cords to conduct drops from given heights. In “Wind Power,” homemade devices measured voltage and were tested on the principles of alternative energy. In “Crime Busters,” students were given a scenario, evidence and possible suspects to perform a series of tests to solve a crime.

Rigorous standards were applied to each of this year’s 24 categories, including Air Trajectory, Ecology, Potions and Poisons, Fossils, Disease Detectives and Astronomy. Judges timed the teams, collected measurements, scrutinized entries for parameter violations or missing log data and marked score sheets.

“We are so grateful to be able to host such talented students from across Virginia in our facilities for another year,” said UMW Senior Lecturer of Biology Michael Stebar, who helped coordinate the event on campus. “Mary Washington has a proud history of hosting this competition, which helps reinforce our commitment as a public university to meet the needs of the Commonwealth.” Read more.

Anthropology Study Abroad Trip Gives UMW Senior a Taste of Europe

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UMW Senior Ariana Adamek’s study abroad trip gave her a “taste” of Europe.

UMW Senior Ariana Adamek’s study abroad trip gave her a “taste” of Europe.

The sounds of a Greek celebration – laughter, clinking glasses, the beat of folk music – mingle with the salty Mediterranean air. A vibrant Danish landscape opens up under clear blue skies.

For Ariana Adamek, a senior at the University of Mary Washington, these picturesque moments are more than postcard memories, they’re snapshots of a summer that deepened her understanding of food, culture and community.

Through a course titled “Tasting Culture: Nordic and Mediterranean Food, Tradition and Nutrition” – and the Beyond the Classroom Endowment that made it possible – Adamek immersed herself in the culinary flavors and customs of both Greece and Denmark. The month-long program in the summer of 2024 was not only “rewarding and delicious,” Adamek said, it also expanded her academic perspective and revealed areas for further exploration.

“As an anthropology and theatre major, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to observe and participate in other cultures firsthand,” said Adamek, a peer mentor coordinator who helps fellow UMW students immerse themselves in their own new experiences. “This trip allowed me to make connections with many unique students and incredible professors. It’s something I’ll never forget.” Read more.

UMW Lecture Series Explores Need for Interfaith Discourse

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The University of Mary Washington’s Khatib Program in Religion and Dialogue will continue its mission of fostering interfaith conversations with a spring lecture series. The evening talks on March 17 and April 9 will bring two distinguished scholars to campus, Avinoam Patt and Jordan Denari Duffner, both accomplished authors and educators in the area of religious studies.

“In 2019, Dr. Reza Khatib and the late Georgianna Khatib endowed the Khatib Program in Religion and Dialogue here at Mary Washington,” said Mary Beth Mathews, director of UMW’s Khatib Program and professor of religious studies. “A response to rising religious violence, the Khatib Program offers an annual academic course for Mary Washington students. It also funds lectures, events and contributions to the UMW community to shine a light on the ways we can better understand each other in an increasingly diverse and changing religious climate.”

The dialogue kicks off Monday, March 17, at 7 p.m. in the Cedric Rucker University Center Chandler Ballroom with the topic, The Golden Land? Antisemitism and American Jewish History, 1654 – Present. During this talk, Patt, professor of Holocaust studies at New York University who holds a joint Ph.D. in modern European history and Hebrew and Judaic studies, will explore the history of antisemitism in America and how Jewish communities have navigated discrimination and prejudice from the colonial period until today.

The series continues on Wednesday, April 9, at 7 p.m. in Combs 237 with the topic, Islamophobia: What We All Should Know (and Do) about Anti-Muslim Discrimination. In this presentation, Duffner, a leading scholar of Muslim-Christian relations with a Ph.D. in theological and religious studies, will speak about the nature of Islamophobia and its impact on Muslim communities and individuals. She’ll also touch on the current geopolitical climate, including the recent surge in violence in the Israeli-Palestinian region, offering practical steps for interfaith solidarity and advocacy.

Mary Washington’s Khatib Program is dedicated to countering religious intolerance by promoting scholarly engagement with religious traditions. Inspired by the personal experiences of Reza Khatib and his late wife, Georgianna, it reinforces their commitment to fostering interreligious dialogue.

“The Khatib Program is pleased to bring to Mary Washington such distinguished speakers for our lecture series,” Mathews said. “It’s important to understand religious hatred and why we should work against it.”

For more information on UMW’s Khatib Program or the spring lecture series, visit the Khatib Program in Religion and Dialogue webpage or contact Professor of Religious Studies Mary Beth Mathews at mmathews@umw.edu.

UMW Students Present Projects in Richmond at Inaugural Undergraduate Research Showcase

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UMW junior Mallory Thompson and her faculty mentor Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Laura Sipe

UMW junior Mallory Thompson and her faculty mentor Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Laura Sipe in front of their research poster at the Virginia State Capitol.

As she stood in front of her research poster at the Virginia State Capitol, Mallory Thompson felt both excitement and responsibility. The University of Mary Washington biology major wasn’t just sharing findings from months of research and lab work, she was advocating for the future of cancer treatment.

“It was a little daunting, as I never imagined my research would take me to the Capitol to speak with legislators,” Thompson said. “But honestly, I had a great time! I loved sharing my research with attendees who showed interest in my poster and asked questions. It’s exciting to think that my work might help people understand that conventional cancer therapies aren’t always enough, and exploring other treatments could be a key to reducing recurrence rates.”

Thompson, a junior, was one of three Mary Washington students selected to present a poster at the inaugural Undergraduate Research Showcase, held last week in Richmond. Seniors Hannah Shipp and Ada Moses, both psychology majors, also presented research, which explored how visual distractions impact test performance.

Hosted by the Network for Undergraduate Research in Virginia (NURVa), the event brought together student researchers from 16 state colleges and universities, with more than 30 projects on display. Read more.