November 22, 2024

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

UMW Names Executive Director for Center for Economic Development

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The University of Mary Washington today announced that Brian Baker has been named executive director of the Center for Economic Development. Baker has spent the last decade as an administrator at UMW, most recently as executive director for entrepreneurship. In his role as executive director, Baker will oversee the UMW Small Business Development Center, the EagleWorks Accelerator and Business Innovation Center, the Engagement Program, the operations for the Virginia Business Incubation Association, as well as several contract affiliations. During his more than 10 years at UMW, Baker has served in various roles, including head of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).  In his time as executive director of the SBDC, the center served more than 3,000 small company clients and yielded economic impacts of more than $70 million in new investments, more than $81 million in new sales growth and the creation and retention of 4,670 jobs. Baker also was instrumental in bringing the Virginia Business Incubation Association to the university where it will have an opportunity to engage students and faculty in both regional and statewide small company development initiatives. Baker also has collaborated with numerous UMW students on business-related projects pertaining to market research, small company analysis and revenue analytics. Baker serves on the Board of Directors for the La Ceiba Microfinance program, the Leadership Fredericksburg program and the University Based Economic Development Council, and is president of the Virginia Business Incubation Association. He also is a general member of the Rappahannock Economic Development Corporation and a member of the Stafford County Economic Analysis Forum and the Germanna Community College Workforce and Community Education Advisory Board. He has been a speaker at both the International Economic Development Council and Virginia Business Incubation Association conferences on small business. In 2010, he was recognized as the Virginia SBDC State Star for contributions in business development. Baker earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s in business administration in management from Mary Washington. He holds a business analyst certification from the Virginia SBDC program hosted by George Mason University. The Center for Economic Development, established in 2011, assists the regional jurisdictions in their efforts to promote economic development of the region. The center functions as a central point of contact to connect faculty and students with regional initiatives and businesses seeking their assistance. The center’s programs and initiatives include the Small Business Development Center, the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance, the Virginia Business Incubation Association, and student and faculty engagement projects.

UMW Welcomes Jonathan Levin as New Provost

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Jonathan Levin, formerly of Drew University, has started work as the University of Mary Washington’s provost. Levin has spent more than 20 years in higher education, including nearly a decade as an administrator. Most recently, he served as dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Drew University in Madison, N.J. I am very excited to be joining such a vibrant, highly regarded academic community,” Levin said. “I look forward to working with students, faculty and staff to further enhance and bring distinction to Mary Washington.” As the chief academic officer at UMW, Levin will be responsible for oversight of all academic programs, academic planning and budgets and faculty matters. Working with the deans and the faculty, the provost provides leadership of major university initiatives in teaching, research and creative activities and has responsibility for all university educational and academic policies. He also will oversee enrollment management. Prior to Drew, Levin held administrative and faculty positions at State University of New York at Purchase, Fordham University and Columbia University. Levin earned a bachelor of arts in English and French from the University of Michigan, a master of arts in English from the University of California at Los Angeles and a Ph.D. in English from Rutgers University.

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News release prepared by: Brynn Boyer            

Eagle StartUp Finalists

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The UMW Entrepreneurs Club, EagleWorks, and the University of Mary Washington Small Business Development Center joined together to encourage startups among members of the University of Mary Washington student community in a program called the Eagle Startup Challenge. The finalists are Anthony Seippel, Patrick Byrne and Chrophe Perdu (team), Seamus Hooban and Andy Leonard (team), and Daniel Shapiro. They will give pitch-style presentations and announce the winners on April 24, 2013.

The UMW Entrepreneurs Club is a partnership with the University of Mary Washington Office of Entrepreneurship and Business Development in suite 400 in the Eagle Village Executive Offices.Visit the web page at http://economicdevelopment.umw.edu/umw-entrepreneur-club/  for the latest updates.

Drew University Dean Named as UMW Provost

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Jonathan Levin has been named to the position of provost of the University of Mary Washington. Levin has spent more than 20 years in higher education, including nearly a decade as an administrator. Currently, he serves as dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Drew University in Madison, N.J.

Jonathan Levin has been named UMW’s provost. Photo courtesy of Drew University.

Levin will serve as the chief academic officer at UMW and will be responsible for oversight of all academic programs, academic planning and budgets and faculty matters. Working with the deans and the faculty, the provost provides leadership of major university initiatives in teaching, research and creative activities and has responsibility for all university educational and academic policies. He also will oversee enrollment management. Levin will begin work on June 25, 2013.

“I am extremely pleased that Dr. Levin has agreed to come to UMW,” said President Richard V. Hurley. “His background and experience will be a tremendous asset as we move the institution forward.”

Levin has served as dean and professor of English at Drew for five years, during which time he has coordinated all aspects of undergraduate curriculum development and assessment at the private liberal arts and sciences university in New Jersey. While at the institution, he oversaw development and implementation of several new programs, including the Baldwin Honors and Civic Scholars programs, as well as a new general education curriculum. During his tenure, Drew experienced substantial growth in underrepresented student populations and improved its academic profile.

Prior to Drew, Levin spent three years as dean of the School of Humanities at State University of New York at Purchase. During his time at Purchase, Levin led a redesign of the general education program and implemented collaborative campus-wide initiatives.

Levin also has served as chair of the Department of English, acting director of American studies and associate professor of English at Fordham University and as associate professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia University.

The author of “The Poetics of Transition: Emerson, Pragmatism & American Literary Modernism,” Levin has published numerous articles in scholarly journals on 19th- and 20th-century American literature and culture.

Levin earned a bachelor of arts in English and French from the University of Michigan, a master of arts in English from the University of California at Los Angeles and a Ph.D. in English from Rutgers University.

Program Proposals for Black History Month Due 11/16

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The James Farmer Multicultural Center is accepting program proposals for Black History Month in February 2013. The 2013 Black History Month theme is “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality:  Celebrating our Past and Shaping Our Future.”  Programs and events that relate to the theme are encouraged, however any programs or events that examine the experiences and contributions of Americans of African descent are welcome.  The program proposal forms are due on Friday, November 16, 2012 by 5 p.m. You can send the completed forms via email to Ms. Greta Franklin at gfrankli@umw.edu, or send them to the  James Farmer Multicultural Center in  Lee Hall, room 211.  Go to the James Farmer Multicultural Center’s website at  http://students.umw.edu/multicultural/programs/black-history-month/ to obtain the program proposal form.  Please contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at 540-654-1044 for questions regarding Black History Month.

We invite members of the University of Mary Washington community to submit program proposals for the annual Women’s History Month Celebration. Proposals are due by Wednesday, December 12, 2012 and the sponsors will be notified promptly. Approved programs will be included on the Women’s History Month calendar as well as in print and electronic publications. Preference will be given to programs and events relating to the 2013 theme, “Women Inspiring Transformation.”

The program proposal form can be found at http://students.umw.edu/multicultural/programs/womens-history-month/.  Please include as much information on the form as possible.

Return forms and appropriate attachments to:

Women’s History Month Planning Committee
James Farmer Multicultural Center
Attention: Marion Sanford
Lee Hall, Room 211
1301 College Avenue
Fredericksburg, VA  22401
Email at msanford@umw.edu

Upcoming Lecture in the Department of Classics, Philosophy and Religion

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Guest lecturer Milena Van Sant will give the lecture  “Whirligig and the Two Stars,”  her memories of a childhood under two dictatorships, on Friday, April 13 at 2 p.m.  in Trinkle Hall, Room 106A.  Seating is limited.

The events are sponsored by the Department of Classics, Philosophy, and Religion. Both events are free and open to the public.

Etiquette Dinner with President Hurley Next Week

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President Richard V. Hurley and his wife, Rose Hurley, will join students at an etiquette dinner on Wednesday, April 4. The dinner, sponsored by the Office of Career Services and the Office of Alumni Relations, will give students the opportunity to enjoy a six-course meal and discuss dining and professional etiquette.

Several alumni, including Mary E. White ’99, Lloyd Backstrom ’61, Chris Fines ’99 and Barbara Williams ’95, plan to attend the dinner.

Students who would like to attend need to register through the Office of Career Services. More information is available at http://academics.umw.edu/careerservices/2012/03/27/etiquette-dinner-with-president-hurley/.

President Hurley Receives National Recognition Award

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The College Orchestra Directors Association has recognized UMW President Richard V. Hurley for his support of the university’s collegiate orchestra program. UMW Philharmonic Director Kevin P. Bartram presented Hurley with the national award during the orchestra’s “March Musical Mix” concert on Saturday, March 17.

The College Orchestra Directors Association (CODA) is the largest professional organization of collegiate orchestra conductors across the country. The award honors individuals within member colleges and universities who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to support the work of college and university orchestras.

National CODA President Anthony Holland said that Hurley “surpasses expectations as a supporter of the Arts and of his community. It is apparent that President Hurley has demonstrated extraordinary faith in the ability of the UMW Philharmonic to promote the institution as a community partner. He sets an example for all of us.”

The honor, given every two years at the association’s national conference, is the organization’s most significant award. Past recipients have included major financial donors, presidents of institutions, board chairs, department heads and fellow college, university and community musicians.

For more information about the award, read the full news release from Saturday, March 17.