High School Group Visits, Oct. 17, 20 & 21
Several high school groups will be visiting UMW this month. If you see them on campus, be sure to show off your Eagle spirit!
Friday, October 17
Future Educators Academy
Approximately 40 students
9:15 – Arrive at UMW
9:30-10:30 – Campus Tour with Admissions guide
10:30-10:45 – Tour Secobeck Hall
10:45-11:25 – COE Information, Remarks from Dean Kelly, and presentation from Call Me MiSTER
11:30-12:00 – Sit in on portion of EDSE 303 class (Scientific Inquiry)
12:00-12:30 – Lunch (will need to be a quick walk to the building next door to give them time to eat)
12:30ish – Depart campus
Monday, October 20
Spotsylvania HS Teachers for Tomorrow
Approximately 27 students
8:30ish – Arrive at UMW
8:45-9:45 – COE Information, Remarks from Dean Kelly, and presentation from Call Me MiSTER
10:00-11:15 – Attend EDUC 415 class (Literacy Across the Curriculum)
11:20-12:20 – Campus Tour with Admissions guide
12:20-12:30 – Tour Seacobeck Hall
12:35-1:10 – Lunch (Still need to confirm)
1:15 – Depart campus
Tuesday, October 21
Mountain View HS Teachers for Tomorrow (LEAPS Center)
Approximately 18 students
9:15-9:30 – Arrive at UMW
9:30-10:30 – Tour campus with Admissions guide
10:30-10:50 – Tour Seacobeck Hall and chat with Shannon Priest
11:00-12:00 – Attend EDSE 250 (Survey of Special Education Characteristics & Legal Issues)
12:00-1:00 – COE Information, Remarks from Dean Kelly, and presentation with Call Me MiSTER
1:00 – depart campus
Remembering Professor Emeritus Thomas Moeller
Remembering Professor Emeritus of Psychology Thomas Moeller who taught psychology for 35 years at Mary Washington.
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Professor Emeritus of Psychology Thomas Moeller. Services will be held in Freeport, Illinois. For the past few years, he has lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after spending most of his career in Fredericksburg and Stafford.
Moeller retired from the Mary Washington faculty in 2008, after 35 years of service. Within the Department of Psychology, he was the founding editor of the alumni newsletter and also coordinated the department’s Graduate-in-Residence program. Alumni recall his impact long after they graduated with many citing him as the reason that they chose Mary Washington, and later returning to campus as a graduate-in-residence.
One recalls how Moeller was an academic advisor, and internship supervisor, and taught her favorite class of all time (health psychology). She noted how he was so good at “really seeing and listening to people and reaching out to share an encouraging word and taking time to recognize and appreciate the connections we have.”
Moeller’s main areas of expertise were normal and abnormal child development, educational psychology, parenting education and the study of aggression in youths and adults. In 2001, he authored a book, Youth Aggression and Violence. In 2007 he was awarded the Grellet C. Simpson award from UMW for excellence in undergraduate teaching. He was also an active member of the Virginia Psychological Association and involved in mental health issues in the Fredericksburg community.
In retirement, Moeller enjoyed genealogical research, traveling and studying European languages. He loved baseball and was an avid fan of the Chicago White Sox and Washington Nationals. Above all, however, he loved having more time to spend with his family, especially his grandchildren. Moeller will be remembered throughout the Fredericksburg region, with many colleagues and alumni fortunate for the opportunity to work with him.
See Moeller’s obituary for additional details on his memorial events and options for expressing condolences.
2025 Open Enrollment for Health Benefits and FSA, May 16 – 30
The Open Enrollment period to enroll in or make changes to your health benefits and enroll in 2025 flexible spending accounts (FSA) is May 16 – May 30.
HEALTH & FSA
Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) has elected to communicate via email for this year’s open enrollment. The annual open enrollment page is located at https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/employeebenefits/open-enrollment-2025-26. The annual Spotlight on your benefits newsletter contains Health Insurance and Flexible Spending Accounts Open Enrollment information including premiums and premium reward, how to make changes and plan changes via Cardinal ESS or paper enrollment form, flexible spending accounts, eligibility and documentation, Q&As and your important notices. Also included is Benefits For Everyone on page 21.
YOU MAY TAKE ACTION TO:
- Enroll in or change your health plan.
- Elect or remove optional buy-ups for COVA Care, COVA HDHP and COVA HealthAware.
- Waive coverage.
- Add or remove family members.
- Enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts (annual enrollment required each year)
During Open Enrollment (May 16 to May 30) make your request via Cardinal (Instructions and please ensure you click submit for submission of your open enrollment request) or complete a paper enrollment form and drop it off to Office of Human Resources, 2nd Floor of GW.
NO ACTION IS REQUIRED IF YOU:
- Have no health plan-related changes, (current plan will continue)
- Are not enrolling in an FSA for the new plan year (requires annual enrollment each year), or
- Do not plan to participate in Premium Rewards.
PREMIUM REWARDS
Current premium rewards end June 30, 2025. Employees must complete and submit a health assessment during Open Enrollment (May 16 to May 30) using their current health plan member website or mobile app to receive a Premium Reward for July 1, 2025. Additional information on Premium Rewards is available in the Spotlight on page 12.
LEGAL RESOURCES
Protect you and your family for $18 a month for covered legal services through our Provider, Legal Resources. Or you may call them at 1-800-728-5768. Enrollment forms should be submitted to HR on or before May 30, 2025.
- General Advice and Consultation.
- Wills and Estate Planning.
- Preparation and review of routine Legal Documents.
- Family and Elder Law.
- Traffic Violations.
- Real Estate.
- Criminal and Civil Matters.
- Consumer Related and Credit Protection.
- Identity Theft.
If you have any questions please contact Denise Frye, Benefits Administrator, at dfrye2@umw.edu or Janet Hudgins, Benefits Analyst, at jhudgins@umw.edu. Paper enrollment forms must be received in HR on or before COB May 30 to be effective July 1.
Save the Date for Mary Wash Day, April 2-3
Mary Wash Day is Back April 2-3, noon to noon
Join #TogetherUMW and help make our eighth #MaryWashDay the biggest one yet! Thanks to generous sponsers, your support of this 24-hour giving celebration will help unlock mathcing funds, challenge dollars, and a world of possibility for UMW students.
Join #TogetherUMW by taking these steps now:
• Add #MaryWashDay to your calendar on April 2 and 3.
• Get your favorite Mary Wash gear ready to wear.
• Follow Mary Washington Alumni social accounts: Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram.
• Bookmark the Mary Wash Day site, sign up to be an Ambassador, and get ready to celebrate an amazing day!
Sign up to be a Mary Wash Day Ambassador!
UMW Welcomes NAACP President for MLK Keynote Address Jan. 22
President and CEO of the NAACP Derrick Johnson will give the MLK Keynote Address at UMW on Jan. 22, 2025.
When Derrick Johnson takes the stage at the University of Mary Washington next week, his words are expected to resonate far beyond the event’s walls – inspiring those who hear him to reflect on Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring legacy.
President and CEO of the NAACP since 2017, Johnson has spent decades advocating for fairness, equality and the underserved. When he delivers his address Wednesday, Jan. 22, and connects with the UMW community, Johnson said, he’ll delve into the importance of serving one’s neighbor, contributing to the community, and building and protecting America’s democracy.
The event, co-sponsored by Mary Washington’s NAACP College Chapter and Germanna Community College, takes place at 7 p.m. in the Cedric Rucker University Center’s Chandler Ballroom. It’s free and open to the public and serves as the centerpiece of a weeklong celebration honoring King’s life and work.
“We all have a mutual obligation to support our neighbor and recognize that our collective uniqueness is our strength,” said Johnson. “Our uniqueness is our genius, and we should celebrate that genius.” Read more.
Fall Symposia Invites, Dec. 5-6
You are cordially invited to attend end-of-semester research symposia, posters, and presentations on Thursday, Dec. 5 and Friday, Dec. 6.
The UMW Honors Programs shares this year’s Honors Senior Capstone Fall Symposium, on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 2:15-6 p.m. in Lee Hall 412. The format is three sessions of 60-75 minutes (4-5 presentations per session) with breaks in between, so feel free to come to any and all sessions as time permits. See a detailed schedule: Honors Symposium Program 2024
The 2024 Jepson Science Center Fall Research Symposium will take place on Friday, Dec. 6, from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Jepson Science Center, main lobby. Students who conducted research in the sciences during the fall semester are excited to present their research at a poster session, and this year, students have submitted 70 research projects to be presented at the symposium. Fifty-three projects will be presented by students performing course-directed or independent projects in the Biological Sciences. Eighteen independent research projects will be presented by students in the Department of Chemistry and Physics (6 projects), Earth and Environmental Sciences (10 projects) and Music Technology (2 projects).
We hope you will join us in supporting all the hard work of our students! Project titles and abstracts are available online.
The Columns Humanities and Social Research Symposium, will start at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 in the Colonnade Room of the Cedric Rucker University Center. Light refreshments will be provided.
UMW Finishes Fourth in National Cybersecurity Challenge
Students from top academic institutions participated in the Cyber Resiliency and Measurement Challenge, hosted by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division on UMW’s Dahlgren Campus. Photo by Dave Ellis, NSWCDD.
In a display of innovation and skill, University of Mary Washington’s cybersecurity team achieved a fourth-place finish in the recent Cyber Resiliency and Measurement Challenge sponsored by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD).
This national competition, held Oct. 22-23 at UMW’s Dahlgren Campus, brought together 11 top academic institutions. Each was tasked with developing innovative solutions against hypothetical cyber threats, encouraging students to develop advanced algorithms and models to enhance cybersecurity capabilities.
“The challenge was very competitive with talented teams from across the country participating,” said Associate Professor of Computer Science Xin-Wen Wu, who served as faculty advisor for the five-member UMW group. “I think our students worked incredibly hard to achieve this result, demonstrating remarkable dedication and teamwork.”
Eagle team members included Adam Baime ‘25, Alejandro Rosario ‘26, Gary Young ‘25, Chris Walker ‘26 and Kevin Landry ‘25. UMW’s team earned its fourth-place finish after facing stiff competition from the nation’s top cybersecurity talent. George Mason University secured first place, with the University of South Florida taking second, and the U.S. Naval Academy rounding out the top three. Read more.
The 25th Annual Metzger Award Goes to Michelle Caldwell Thompson
CEO and renowned Fredericksburg area professional Michelle Caldwell Thompson received this year’s Patricia Lacey Metzger Award for distinguished achievement from the Women’s Leadership Colloquium at the University of Mary Washington. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.
Leader and mentor Michelle Caldwell Thompson received the 2024 Patricia Lacey Metzger Award for distinguished achievement from the Women’s Leadership Colloquium at the University of Mary Washington. Thompson is CEO of the firm CTI Real Estate as well as a dedicated community leader and advocate for women in business, education, mentorship and entrepreneurship.
Presented last week for the 25th year, the Metzger Award goes annually to someone who upholds high standards and achieves personal and professional success. Traditionally, the honor is bestowed during the UMW Women’s Leadership Colloquium. But with both events celebrating milestones – the Colloquium turns 30 on Thursday, Nov. 7 – a quarter-century worth of Metzger winners deserved a day of their own.
“She is making an impact in all that she does,” Fredericksburg area professional trainer and coach Beth Sinkler, one of Thompson’s two nominators, said of her community involvement. Read more.
Cheers to Tradition: Mary Wash Homecoming Happening Oct. 24-26
Mary Wash Homecoming brings students, alumni, and supporters together along with loads of activities, including an alumni Pregame fuel-up, Athletics Tailgate, and an array of athletic competitions, including men’s soccer, rugby, women’s soccer and field hockey. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
That favorite fall tradition – Homecoming – has finally arrived! This weekend Mary Wash students, alumni and supporters from near and far will gather to catch up, connect and enjoy a variety of activities, including the traditional Athletics Tailgate and a slate of NCAA contests.
Get the seasonal vibes flowing Thursday at the annual Harvest Festival, hosted by UMW Dining, with clubs, vendors, games and more from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Campus Walk. For a spookier setting, check out the 40th annual Ghostwalk hosted by UMW’s Historic Preservation Club on Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. Open to all, the walk starts at the James Monroe Museum and heads to different historic sites around town for eerie stories from Fredericksburg’s haunted past. Tickets sold the night of the event cost $10 for adults and $5 for students, youth (6+) and alumni.
Nearly new this year, added to the fall schedule after its début in the spring, is the student-led vendor fair, UMW Night Market, held Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Cedric Rucker University Center’s Chandler Ballroom. Open to all, it supports talented student vendors offering clothes, art, trinkets and much more and concludes a week of activities in celebration of National Transfer Student Week. Read more.