Several significant projects are taking shape in small and large ways beginning over spring break and in the weeks following.

New Theatre Project
The first phase of site preparation is well underway, with the demolition of Marshall and Russell Halls at the corner of William St. and Sunken Road. Much of the prep work for this part of the project happened before any bricks or trees were removed, as we coordinated with architectural partners and members of the Historic Preservation and Alumni Engagement areas to inventory each building, identifying not only historically relevant materials, but also culturally significant artifacts that speak to the legacy of these storied buildings.

Alumni have reserved bricks as a keepsake, and we have saved period-artifacts from each building, as well as small mementos. We also worked with area residents and the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank to repurpose window AC units for the community. Trees from the site will be repurposed in a variety of ways, both for reuse within the new building and across campus.

As a reminder, construction sites and the parking areas closed for the projects are off limits. These fenced areas are part of the construction site.

More information about this capital project is available on the facilities website, and information will be shared about a groundbreaking as that stage of the project approaches.

Athletics Facilities
The groundbreaking for the locker rooms was celebrated in the fall,  the foundations were completed and delivery of the modular units is expected this spring. In addition, several renovations and repairs are being worked on in the stone house adjacent to the fields to re-open it for team use.

In the University Tennis Center, energy-efficient lighting is being installed as part of a campus-wide energy infrastructure project. Courts will close intermittently as upgrades are made.

Accessibility Improvement Projects
The upgrades in Ball Hall are underway with a lot closure at Fairfax Lot for materials, and a short detour planned for the front of Ball Hall as the accessible ramp is installed this spring. For the 2026-2027 academic year, Ball Hall will reopen. Then Bushnell Hall will be closed for the 2026-2027 academic year to undergo accessibility and utility updates.

In addition, over the summer, Jepson Hall and Combs Hall will have classroom updates for accessibility improvement.

Campus Walk Upgrades
Campus Walk, sidewalks and streets around campus will be cleaned up following the winter weather to remove the sand and salt treatments from our pathways. Look for additional upgrades later this academic year, including new wayfinding signage and new benches. Anew metal bench style will be introduced, which maintains a classic look while significantly reducing long-term maintenance and improving durability. These new benches will gradually replace the teak benches.

Additional Updates
The roof work for the Weatherly Wing in Seacobeck Hall is now complete and the space will reopen for weekend scheduling.

Thanks for your patience during these recent projects and work throughout campus. More information is available for each of these projects on the Campus Construction website. For any questions, contact Executive Director of Facilities Operations Brian Gorham at bgorham@umw.edu.

A Book Company, LLC, which operates as eCampus.com, has been selected as the new UMW bookstore contractor, set to begin operations this summer 2026. This award follows a request for proposals that garnered several national vendors with expertise in online spirit shops and brick-and-mortar stores.

During the transition, the on-campus store will close briefly from May 10 – May 26, 2026 for updates and will re-open as a spirit shop and hub for UMW gear and supplies. A refreshed collection of UMW merchandise in a variety of designs, styles and price points will be available in the on-site and online campus stores.

Summer course materials will be available for students to purchase through the eCampus online store on or before May 10, 2026. With this transition, textbooks and course materials will only be available to order online with several delivery options, including two-day free shipping to the on-campus store.

Faculty will continue enter course material adoptions via Barnes & Noble’s Adoption & Insights Portal for Summer and Fall 2026 through May 9, 2026. After May 9, fall course material adoptions will be emailed to an eCampus course materials specialist (with further details to follow).

Mark your calendars now for the first opportunity for brand-new Mary Wash merchandise, and look for additional updates specific to your areas as we roll out key functions and online options.

Thank you to the many committee members who joined in the thoughtful, months-long review process for this campus retail solution.

If you have questions about the bookstore transition, please contact Director of Business Services Kathy Sandor at kunderwo@umw.edu.

It is with sadness that we share the passing of Susan Ryckeley Harvin, a former member of the UMW Alumni Relations office. She passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 7, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Susan devoted more than 25 years to Mary Washington Alumni Relations, leaving a lasting impact on colleagues and students alike. Her life was defined by devotion and service to her family, her students and her community. She nurtured her husband, sons, grandchildren and countless rescue puppies over the years, exemplifying a quiet generosity that touched everyone she met.

A memorial service in honor of Susan will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026, at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia. A funeral Mass will take place at 12 p.m. on March 27, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Columbia, South Carolina, with interment to follow at Fort Jackson National Cemetery at 2 p.m. the same day.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Susan’s memory are encouraged to perform a Random Act of Kindness. Donations may be made in her honor to the Daughters of the American Revolution, St. Joseph School, or Grateful Goldens Rescue of the Lowcountry. For more information, please see the full obituary online.

As you advise your students on their course choices in the Summer and Fall, please keep in mind the Modern Languages and Literatures course: “The World on a Plate: A Journey Through Global Cuisines.”

This 3-credit, online course fulfills the global and diverse perspectives requirement, is writing intensive and has honors and non-honors sections. There is no prerequisite. It takes place Monday through Thursday, 1 – 3 p.m. during the second summer session.

In addition, the course is modeled after the COVID-19 in Context course of 2020. It has two weekly (Tuesday/Thursday, 1 – 2:30 p.m.) public lectures by experts and local chefs on the week’s topic. So, consider dropping by yourself and let others in the community know!

Based out of Washington, DC, Carly Harvey combines Blues, Jazz, Soul, and Indigenous American styles to produce a unique sound. She is the originator of the “Native Scat” — an improvisational fusion of a traditional Jazz scat with Native vocables. In addition to performing as a solo act, Carly is an entertaining and dynamic band leader.

Catch her women’s history month major performance at UMW on Saturday, March 21 at 7 p.m. at in The Underground, Lee Hall.

According to DC Music Review, “Carly is grace, confidence, originality, and the right amount of sexy swagger all at once. She commands the stage with her voice and presence and draws you in intensely. Then she seems to end each song with an infectious smile of pure gratitude that beams so brightly into the audience.

In July 2018, Carly was featured in Big City Blues Magazine as one of the youngest Blues artists to watch. She is also a three-time DC Blues Society Battle of the Bands Winner and was proclaimed DC’s Queen of the Blues in 2016 by Dr. Nick Johnson of WPFW Radio. In 2021, Carly was nominated 7 times and won the WAMMIE award for Best Blues Artist. Most recently Carly was casted on season 28 of The Voice turning two chairs and choosing team Bublé.

Carly is an Eastern Band Tsalagi and Tuscarora descendant and it is her belief that Blues not only comes from the African American experience but is also directly influenced by Indigenous American Minor Pentatonic Melodies and Stomp Dance Songs. She offers lectures in schools, universities, and internationally to educate people about the music that gives her so much pride in her Afro-Indigenous heritage.