Fredericksburg, Va. – The University of Mary Washington will celebrate the inauguration of Richard V. Hurley on Friday, September 30 with a week of festivities; including speakers, a formal installation ceremony and community service activities. Hurley assumed the presidency of the University of Mary Washington on July 1, 2010, with the primary goal of making UMW the best public liberal arts university in the nation. His inauguration as the university’s ninth president will formalize his leadership, acknowledging and honoring his 11 years of dedication to Mary Washington and more than three decades in higher education. The theme of Hurley’s inauguration, “Engaging Minds. Serving the World,” reinforces his strong belief in the importance of a stimulating educational environment and the value of a liberal arts education coupled with his support for the Mary Washington community’s dedication to public service. The events of the week are as follows: • Monday, September 26 – “Partners in Prosperity for the Rappahannock Region,” an economic development conference for the business community. The conference, which will take place at the Stafford campus from 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., will feature Eugene P. Trani, former president of Virginia Commonwealth University and author of “The Indispensible University: Higher Education, Economic Development, and the Knowledge Economy,” Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and a panel of local leading business persons representing diverse industries in Planning District 16. For more information, email regionalconference@umw.edu. • Wednesday, September 28 – Fredericksburg Forum featuring Karl Rove, former senior advisor and deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush and author of “Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight.” The lecture will take place at 8 p.m. in George Washington Hall, Dodd Auditorium. Tickets are available for purchase at www.umw.edu/forum or (540) 654-1065. • Thursday, September 29 – “Serving the World” service activity with Habitat for Humanity, including a barbeque. The event, which will involve members of the UMW community building tables and sheds, will take place from 2-6 p.m. on Ball Circle. • Thursday, September 29 – “Engaging Minds: The Legacy and Future of the Stafford Campus,” will feature the accomplishments of graduates from the Stafford campus. The sessions will take place from 6-8 p.m. in University Hall at the Stafford campus. • Thursday, September 29 – “Engaging Minds: Teaching, Service Learning and Research,” will include discussions about innovative teaching, undergraduate research and study abroad, and faculty-directed service learning activities. The sessions will take place from 5-7 p.m. in Lee Hall on the Fredericksburg campus. • Friday, September 30 – The Presidential Installation Ceremony will take place from 3-4:30 p.m. in George Washington Hall, Dodd Auditorium. A reception will follow. Tickets are required and may be reserved at inauguration.umw.edu/events/installation-ceremony. • Saturday, October 1 – “Into the Streets” student service day will take place throughout the Rappahannock region from 1-5 p.m. Students will volunteer at projects throughout the Fredericksburg area. Active in the Fredericksburg community, Hurley established the Town and Gown Committee. He serves as a director of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the board of the Rappahannock United Way, the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance and Virginia Partners Bank. Prior to arriving at Mary Washington in 2000, Hurley served as vice president for administration and finance at Longwood University. He holds degrees, diplomas and certificates from Harvard University, University of Kentucky, Central Michigan University and Richard Stockton College in New Jersey. For a complete list of events and more information, visit the inauguration website at http://inauguration.umw.edu.